So imagine my surprise, and from what I am reading on the internet I am not alone, to see Atlanta Braves' utility man Omar Infante on the National League team. I know there is a new rule this year that allows one player to re-enter the game so that teams don't run out of players and Infante can play many positions. Still, you have got to be kidding me. What is NL manager Charlie Manuel thinking? Just because Omar has done well against the Phillies this year?
NL All-Star manager Charlie Manuel made quite a reach in Infante's case
I think Infante is a good player. He hits for a decent average, is pretty clutch and can play all over the field. He is also a good guy. He's a little quiet around the English-speaking media and doesn't cause trouble and you can get a sense of his real personality from when he interacts with his Spanish-speaking teammates and coaches. You want to root for a guy like him and I am happy he made the all-star team, but Omar is no all-star.
Players like Cincinnati's Joey Votto, who could be a legitimate MVP candidate, or Washington's stud third baseman Ryan Zimmerman are having to hope they get voted in by the fans online. These guys are the guts of their teams in the heart of their teams lineups everyday. Infante has started just 42 of the Braves 81 games this season and is only ninth on the team in at-bats. He does have a solid .311 average, but with just nine walks he has an OBP of just .343. It isn't like his numbers blow you out of the water.
To reinforce this, when Atlanta's GM Frank Wren called Infante this morning, Infante thought he was calling because he was being traded! He then thought that he was the victim of a joke!
Like I said, good for Omar and good for the Braves, who have been one of baseball's best stories of the first half. However, one of this year's NL snubs feels a lot worse than normal.
Omar is a good guy, but he doesn't deserve this honor
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