It's bad enough that, as Sandy Alderson put it on Twitter, that a city of 8 million was outvoted by a city of 800,000 when Pablo Sandoval won the starting spot over David Wright in this years All-Star Game in Kansas City. But when you have a pitcher that has been far above the rest of the pack as R.A. Dickey has, it is virtually impossible to fathom him not getting the starting nod over Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants in 2012. What Tony LaRussa is thinking is beyond everyone when it comes to choosing his starter. The only answer he can give is that Cain is every bit as deserving and he will be pitching to his own catcher, Buster Posey, who I might even mention should most likely not even be starting himself.
Dickey, whose stats in all categories are better than anyone's in the National League has definitely been screwed by LaRussa and his shallow thinking. Dickey's stats include a 12-1 record while supporting 123 strikeouts, a 2.40 ERA, and a miserly 0.93 WHIP. Just a few short weeks ago, Dickey had back to back one hitters and was incredibly unhittable as batters wailed and fluttered at his perfected knuckleball. Do not get me wrong, Matt Cain and his 9-3 record, 118 strikeouts, 2.62 ERA and 0.96 WHIP are very formidable when having to make a decision. But there has been nobody on any team in either league who has been absolutely sparkling on the mound as R.A. has while pitching for a team that is dead last in OPS and is tied for 13th in batting average.
While the All-Star game means something at the end of the year, one would figure that LaRussa would love to start with a knuckler like Dickey for two innings then transition to a hard thrower as Cain for the next two. The idea that Posey, or any catcher for that matter, would have trouble catching Dickey, is all the more reason to start him. It would be far better to have a couple of passed balls at the beginning(if that is even the case) while there are no runners on, then later with the possibility of an incredible AL All-Star lineup that includes the like of Cano, Granderson, Fielder, Ortiz and Hamilton circling the bases. This remains just another in a long line of questionable moves that LaRussa has made throughout his career and, although he has a few rings on his hand, it doesn't make the decision any easier to handle in the N.Y. market.
Mets fans finally have two All-Stars that they can be purely proud of, and in the end, still feel jaded at the selection process and a managers decision that leaves millions of fans scratching their heads. R.A. Dickey will never allow the decision to affect him in any way, as it is surely a welcome just for him to be representing the NL in his first All-Star game. The man who swam across the Mississippi and nearly drowned, climbed Kilimanjaro, and grew up amidst child abuse would never allow LaRussa's snub to unfocus his center. But be sure of this, R.A.Dickey will come out of this All-Star break more focused than ever. Dickey does not portray a man that likes to be screwed, although he will never show it. So, even though Mets fans may disagree with you, Tony, maybe we should thank you for given our knuckler just another reason to rise against the odds. Possibly, this decision may turn out to be the one to allow the fans the enjoyment of a CY Young Award winner when all is said and done. Then Mets fans can turn around and say, "screw you, LaRussa!"
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