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Sport Sections
Wednesday, July 5
'No Frank Thomas? Now that's a joke'
ESPN.com

Danny Graves is, by all statistical accounts, an All-Star this year. And he has real potential to be one for many years to come. He's completely in charge on the mound. Put him in there for two innings or just one batter, and the results will always be the same: ground balls galore, scattered strikeouts, and more often than not, a scoreless, successful save opportunity.

J.L. Martin
Cincinnati

Frank Thomas indeed got the biggest snub since the White Sox have the best record in baseball. And don't forget, the Big Hurt is leading the team in most offensive statistical catagories. It's a shame he won't be a part of the All-Star Game.

Andre Vactor
Dallas

I'm sorry Bobby Cox, but selecting Tom Glavine is ridiculous. He is having a solid season, but is he on pace to win only about 15 games with about a 3.50 ERA, not shabby, but not All-Star quality. The biggest snub was Danny Graves, who has more wins than Glavine and is a reliever! Come on! He also has 13 saves and his ERA is about half of what Glavine's is. Granted the Braves have consistently been the best team in the NL, but Cox has always gone overboard on his Braves' selections, and Glavine is a prime example of that this year.

Alexander Pinegar
Muncie, Ind.

“ Where is Pedro? Enough said. ”
—  Bill MacDonald, Fort Worth, Texas

It seems as if Jorge Posada benefited from having Joe Torre as the All-Star Game manager. Charles Johnson's overall offensive numbers are slightly better than Posada's, even though he has less at-bats. Johnson is also the better defensive player as well.

Don Cardoza
Mahwah, N.J.

Tony Batista has become the best hitting third baseman in the AL with the exception of Troy Glaus and he isn't a All-Star? Instead Travis Fryman, who doesn't have close to the offensive numbers Batista has, made it. I thought this was the All-Star Game not who Joe Torre likes the best.

Phil Mattos
Stroudsburg, Pa.

Jeff Nelson is easily one of the "All-Star snubs." He has one of the best ERA's as a reliever, a great strike-out-per-nine innings ratio, and has pretty much been the one consistent bright spot in that Yankees bullpen. After losing to Tampa Bay on Friday, he now has a 6-2 record. The man has been pretty much unhittable all season. I feel that he, and especially with Torre as the manager again, should have been picked.

Chad Spader
Groton, Conn.

I think it's a travesty that Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick did not make the All-Star team. What does a guy have to do to make this team, sell t-shirts and make commercials? I'm not even a fan of Baltimore, but I love baseball and a story like Bordick's is what makes baseball the best sport in the world. His numbers are there and they have been there all year. Hey Joe Torre, you blew this one big time.

Matt Campbell
Glassboro, N.J.

“ No Frank Thomas? Now that's a joke. Better yet, the All-Star Game is a joke. What's the point of having the managers select the alternates if they don't select the ones who are the most deserving. ”
—  Scott Kebschull, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

What a joke! Tom Glavine instead of Danny Graves? Andres Galarraga instead of Jeff Bagwell? Worse yet, Derek Jeter over Mike Bordick? After all the years of griping by the media that fans do a horrible job of voting for the All-Star team, it's time to realize the bitter truth. And that is that the fans should pick the whole damn team, especially with the likes of Bobby Cox and Joe Torre being such homers. How long until the All-Star Game is just a replay of the previous year's World Series teams?

Jared Hotop
Perryville, Mo.

As a White Sox fan, I feel that Frank Thomas was snubbed as was Cal Eldred who is having a breakout season. I think both of these players deserved to make it to the All-Star Game more than even fellow teammate Ray Durham did.

Cyrus Afshar
Oak Brook, Ill.

Although I am a Mets fan and he kills us every time he faces us, I have to say Kris Benson deserves to be on the All-Star team. Aside from wins, he is having a better season than Tom Glavine. Another bush league call by Bobby Cox.

Eric Zielinski
North Bellmore, N.Y.

Cal Ripken should have retired two years ago. While Cal has enjoyed a historic career, he has no business being on the All-Star team let alone being in the starting lineup.

Matt Russell
Exeter, N.H.

Leaving out Frank Thomas, who has been acknowledged as the team leader for the BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL, is kind of like leaving out your ketchup and mustard on a very good hot dog. The hot dog tastes good, but it "just ain't right." Leaving out Frank Thomas "just ain't right."

Steven Skinner
Geneva, Ill.

“ What about Robin Yount? He's been the most solid Brewer at the plate and he doesn't have a single error this year. ”
—  Beth Frieseke, Milwaukee

Rich Garces. Everyone in Boston knows El Guapo and how good he is. His numbers are better than Derek Lowe's, but no one cares to recognize this. He is one of the best bullpen guys in baseball, and he deserves to be in Atlanta with the rest of the All-Stars.

Seth Limanek
Millville, Mass.

Same story, different year. Eric Karros, once again, is having an outstanding offensive season. This comes to no surprise for L.A. fans who see it year in and year out from Karros. Unfortunately, nobody outside of Los Angeles knows what a great ballplayer he really is.

Chris Hoag
San Diego

I think it is amazing that the Marlins' Luis Castillo didn't make the team. He's hitting in the .356 with 34 stolen bases. True, Edgardo Alfonzo and Jose Vidro are having great years, but what more could you ask from Castillo?

James Allen
Miami, Fla.

What did Danny Graves have to do to become an All-Star? He leads the Reds in wins, saves, and ERA. But I guess he failed to do one important thing -- pitch for Atlanta and Bobby Cox.

Ken Freeman
Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio

 

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