Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
June 10, 2008
Mussina an All-Star?

Cameron Martin wonders if Terry Francona will start Mike Mussina in the All-Star game:

Lately I'm reminded of the 1993 All-Star Game, because I wonder if Red Sox' manager Terry Francona would pick Mike Mussina (now 15 years removed from his hometown shutout) as the starting pitcher in next month's All-Star Game in the Bronx.

At this stage of the season, most people seem to think that Cleveland's Cliff Lee is going to start the game for the American League; it doesn't appear to be in question, though it should be. Lee became the AL's first 10-game winner yesterday, but really, he did most of his great work in April and May, when half the league is asleep at the wheel and guys named Cliff are able to sneak up on people. Granted, Lee has compiled some impressive numbers to date: 10-1 record, 2.52 ERA, 1.073 WHIP. But over his last five starts, he has a 6.04 ERA and has allowed 52 baserunners in 28.1 innings. The thing is, the Indians have gone 4-1 in those starts, so it makes it look like ole Cliff is just chugging along with his Cy Young season. In truth, he peaked about a month ago. Mike Mussina, on the other hand, has been red hot following a dismal start.

I have my doubts. I assume Dice-K will be healthy by then, and if Terry doesn't pick Lee, he'd go with one of his own. However:

Don't worry, Yankee Universe, I'm sure your boy Mussina will make the team. And I'm sure he'll see action at some point. After all, there's no way the American League manager would warm up the hometown hero but never put him into the game...

That would be just too cruel to happen twice.


Posted by David Pinto at 09:39 AM | All-Star Game | TrackBack (0)
Comments

*cough* Shaun Marcum *cough*

Posted by: Andrew at June 10, 2008 10:24 AM

If I were Tito I'd make sure Moose pitched 3 innings - even more if possible.

Posted by: Bandit at June 10, 2008 10:47 AM

I might be mistaken, but I could swear that I read a couple of years ago that Mussina admitted that Cito Gatson never told him to warm up for that All-Star Game, but that Mussina did it on his own to force Gatson to put him in the game.

Posted by: John Royal at June 10, 2008 11:36 AM

If Mike Mussina and Dice-K are All-Stars then they might as well cancel the game.

Posted by: Adam at June 10, 2008 12:05 PM

John Royal, I know Mussina initially said that he warmed up to "just get some work in," and I haven't heard anything about him admitting that it was an intentional move to get himself in the game. That said, it obviously was that kind of a move, but I don't think Mussina has ever admitted to that. Wasn't he only 22ish at the time? I'd be curious to see what he'd say about his actions now that he's almost 40.

On another note, there are players with somewhat better stats than Moose this year, but I think having him in the ASG this year would only be fair considering he was snubbed in 2003 and 2006 for players with more wins, even though he had the better all-around stats. If a main criterion for the ASG is going to be wins (stupid as it might be), then that should stay steady throughout the years. Also, why not let him pitch an inning in front of his hometown crowd? Although he's pitching great nowadays, any start could be the beginning of the end, so why not give him one last assured hurrah for a great career?

Posted by: DOC at June 10, 2008 01:43 PM

I remember reading something similar to what John Royal said.

Posted by: wph at June 10, 2008 03:16 PM

Last year at yankee stadium. You start the new york yankee mike mussina

Posted by: pelaccio at June 16, 2008 12:06 AM

Last year at yankee stadium. You start the new york yankee mike mussina

Posted by: pelaccio at June 16, 2008 12:06 AM

Last year at yankee stadium. You start the new york yankee mike mussina

Posted by: pelaccio at June 16, 2008 12:07 AM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?