Vote for Dom

At the risk of sounding like a old man... I stopped voting for the starters in the baseball All-Star Game years ago. There was something magical about punching out the chads on those old ballots that an online vote just couldn't match. As a result, I have been largely indifferent about the results of this league sanctioned popularity contest.

The emergence of Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown has made me start to pay attention this year. I believe his power production warrants his inclusion on the National League team. I was shocked today when I read the initial voting update from MLB... Dom Brown isn't even in the TOP 15 for National League Outfielders!

Yes, let me say that again... the NL Home Run leader and the current NL Player of the Month isn't in the top 15 for his position.

Current leaders & current totals:

1. Justin Upton, Braves: 1,184,249

2. Bryce Harper, Nationals: 1,182,532

3. Ryan Braun, Brewers: 945,665

4. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals: 847,924

5. Shin-Soo Choo, Reds: 743,755

6. Hunter Pence, Giants: 624,972

7. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: 576,201

8. Angel Pagan, Giants: 572,400

9. Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 491,629

10. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 482,719

11. Gregor Blanco, Giants: 475,662

12. Carlos Gomez, Brewers: 472,272

13. B.J. Upton, Braves: 420,104

14. Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 389,372

15. Jay Bruce, Reds: 374,852

Yes, that is right... BJ Upton has more votes than Domonic Brown!

Because of this ridiculousness, I am announcing today the launch of the "VOTE DOM" campaign. 

I have a couple of email addresses handy, so I should be able to put out a couple of dozen votes for him myself. I am asking all the readers of this blog to take the time to vote for Domonic Brown also. I won't cast all of my ballots right away AND as an incentive to have you join my fight... I am willing to trade YOUR vote for Dom for MY vote of your favorite player (as long as they don't play for the Mets).

1972 All Star Game

A big tip 'o the ear-flap-less batting helmet goes to my funky friend Dan Epstein. For those of you that don't know... Dan is the world-famous author of Big Hair & Plastic Grass. Yesterday he shared this 10 minute clip from the 1972 All Star Game played in Atlanta on the BHPG Facebook page. The clip was posted on YouTube by WADDTVCh15 and opens with Dick Allen batting against the Expos Bill Stoneman in the top of the 7th inning. I love the internet.

While he was the baddest motherf*cker on the planet and would eventually win the American League MVP award in 1972,  Dick Allen went hitless in this All Star Game.

Buy Dan's book here or here or here.

Parade of Ridiculousness: Reggie as a Mariner

The concept behind the Parade of Ridiculousness is based on showing famous players in outlandish or ridiculous uniforms. In the past I have shown Babe Ruth in Astros tequila sunrise stripes and Lou Gehrig in Bill Veeck's softball shorts. I'm always looking for new ideas.

My love for the original Seattle Mariners Trident logo is well documented and Reggie continues to be one of my favorites. Combining these two is not something I would have ever considered. The interesting and best thing about this Reggie Jackson/Seattle Mariner post is it actually happened.

In never knew about this. Last week, because there was no real baseball on the TV... I occupied myself by watching the marathon of All Star Game Highlight films on MLB Network.

The '79 Midsummer Classic was held in Seattle, a strange choice considering the Mariners were only in their 3rd year of existence. Appearing in his 9th of what would be 14 career All Star Games, somehow Reggie Jackson arrived at the Kingdome without his Yankee pinstripe uniform. Not sure if his luggage was lost or he was just looking for a reason to piss off George Steinbrenner. This was before the general availability of authentic uniform jerseys from retail shops inside each stadium and their surrounding neighborhoods. Reggie was stuck.

Instead of missing the American League All Star team picture, someone convinced Reggie to just put on a Mariners home uniform and take his place in the shot (2nd row, 2nd in from the left). If this happened today... it would take about 5 minutes for someone to fix it with photoshop. Fortunately for us, no one did that.

Still don't believe me? I made a video.

On This Day... All Star Home Run Derby

July 13, 1971. Detroit's Tiger Stadium: In an All Star game featuring six home runs, highlighted by a young Reggie Jackson blasting a Dock Ellis fourth inning pitch off the power generator located on top of Tiger Stadium right-field roof 520 feet from home plate, the American League beats the NL, 6-4. All the players who homer, Johnny Bench, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew as well as Reggie, will eventually become members of the Hall of Fame.

1974 All Star Project: NL Bullpen

Finishing the 1974 All Star Project with the National League pitching staff.

	Ken Brett: George Brett's older brother played in the majors for 14 seasons, on 10 different teams. 1974 was the only All Star team he would make. A great hitter, his .310 batting average was higher than six of the eight starting position players on the Pirates in 1974, a team that won the National League Eastern division title. Ken was credited with the win in this game, pitching scoreless 4th and 5th innings.
	Buzz Capra: Like Ken Brett, 1974 was the only All Star game Buzz Capra would make. He was in the middle of best big league season, he would finish 16–8 with a NL leading 2.28 earned run average. He did not pitch in the game.
	Steve Carlton: A dominate ace, Lefty would be named to 10 All Star games and win 4 NL Cy Young Awards during his Hall of Fame career. In 1974 he led the NL with 240 strikeouts. He did not pitch in the game.
	Mike Marshall: The leading bullpen workhorse in the National League, Marshall made the All Star team in both 1974 and 1975. He led the league in appearances 4 times, including a record 106 games in in 1974. He was also named the Cy Young Award winner in 1974. In this game, he pitched the final two innings without giving up a run.
	Jon Matlack: This was the first of what would be 3 consecutive All Star appearances for the Mets lefthander. He would win the MVP of the 1975 game. He pitched a scoreless sixth inning for the NL.
	Lynn McGlothen: Appearing on his only career All Star team, Lynn McGlothen would finish the season with a 16–12 record with an impressive 2.70 ERA. He pitched a perfect 7th inning for the NL.
	Steve Rogers: As the lone rep for the lowly Expos, this was the 1st of 5 career All Star appearances for Rogers. He would end the season with a league leading 22 losses. In 1982, he would start the the All Star Game for the NL. He did not pitch in this game.

Interesting in seeing all the cards for this project? You can view them here.

1974 All Star Project: NL Bench

My 1974 All Star Project continues with the National League non-starting position players.

	Lou Brock. Selected to six All Star squads during his 19 year Hall of Fame career, Lou Brock was still a few weeks away from breaking Maury Wills' single-season stolen base record of 104. He ended the season with a new major league single-season record of 118 stolen bases. He entered the game as a pinch hitter in the 5th inning and delivered a single. Appropriately, he stole second base, went to third on a throwing error, and scored on Joe Morgan's RBI sacrafice fly.
	Dave Cash. Originally a Pirate, Cash made the All Star team in all three seasons he played with the Phillies ('74, '75, and '76). In this game, he entered the game as a pinch hitter in the 7th, flying out to center. He replaced Joe Morgan an finished the game at second base.
	Cesar Cedeno. Never living up to the "Next Willie Mays" billing he was given by Leo Durocher... Cedeno made 4 career All Star appearances for the Astros.  He started in centerfield for the 1973 game. In this game, Cesar replaced Hank Aaron in the 4th inning and went hitless in 2 plate appearances.
	Ralph Garr. This was the only All Star game for the 1974 NL Batting Champion. Ralph had 149 hits heading into the All-Star break that year, a record that stands to this day. Garr was the first NL reserve to get into the game when he pinch hit for the starting pitcher Andy Messersmith in the 3rd inning. He stayed in left field through the 7th inning and went 0 for 3.
	Jerry Grote. Making his second and final career All Star appearance, Grote was a favorite of NL manager Yogi Berra. In the game, he replaced starter Johnny Bench to catch the 9th inning. He never came to bat.
	Johnny Grubb. Someone from the San Diego Padres had to make the All Star team in 1974, and Grubb was that man. It would be his only career selection. He popped out to the shortstop in his only at bat.
	Don Kessinger. Playing in his sixth and final career All Star Game, Kessinger was the starting shortstop for the NL four times. He made the most of his one at bat, tripling to the gap in right-center field in the bottom of the 8th inning, driving in Mike Schmidt. He later scored on Fingers wild pitch.
	Tony Perez. Overshadowed by his more popular teammates, Perez made seven All Star games in his career. He won the 1967 All Star MVP when he hit a game winning walk off HR in the 15th inning. He appeared as a pinch hitter in the 6th inning and struck out.
	Mike Schmidt. 1974 was the first of 12 All Star Games for the greatest third baseman in baseball history. He would go on to win his first of 8 NL HR crowns this season. Schmidt replaced Ron Cey in the sixth inning and walked in both of his plate appearances. He scored on Kessinger's triple in the 8th.
	Ted Simmons. Although he was overshadowed by Johnny Bench, made 8 different All Star teams in his 21 year career. He did not play in this game.
	Reggie Smith. In his 17 year big league career, Reggie Smith made 7 All Star Games with three different teams. He started the 1980 game as a member of the Dodgers. This game featured 17 future Hall of Famers, but Reggie Smith was the only player to hit a home run in this game.
	Chris Speier. 1974 was the third straight (and final career) All Star appearance for Chris Speier. He was the lone representative for the Giants. He did not play.

1974 All Star Project: NL Starters

Previously: AL Starters / AL Bench / AL Bullpen

Here are my redesigned 1974 Topps cards for the National League All Star starters (in batting lineup order):

	LF: Pete Rose. Leading off for the NL was the 1973 NL MVP and batting champion. This was one of the 17 All Star games and five positions Pete played in. Pete came to the plate twice in this game, striking out once and grounding out the other.
	2B: Joe Morgan. Joe was the MVP of the 1972 All Star game and this was one of ten midsummer classics he played in. In this game he struck out in the first inning, doubled in the third, and drove in the eventual winning run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
	RF: Hank Aaron. The HR King played in an incredible 25 All Star games over the course of his Hall of Fame career. After hitting the record breaker in April of 1974, the rest of the season was essentially a victory lap through the NL cities. He hit a deep fly ball to left in the first and grounded out to short in the third.
	C: Johnny Bench. Bench was a 14 time All Star and had previously homered in the 1969, 1971 and 1973 games. In this game he got 2 hits and walked in 4 plate appearances.
	CF: Jimmy Wynn. This was the second of three career All Star appearances for the Toy Cannon. He was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year in 1974. He had a single in 3 plate appearances.
	1B: Steve Garvey. This was the first of 10 All Star games for Steve Garvey. He made this start as the second ever "write in candidate" from the fans. He was named MVP of the National League at the end of the 1974 season. Garvey rewarded his fans with an MVP performance in this game, playing all nine innings going 2 for 4, driving in a run and scoring a run.
	3B: Ron Cey. Joining his teammate Steve Garvey at his first All Star game, this was one of the six All Star Games for The Penguin. He had a hit and 2 RBIs.
	SS: Larry Bowa. This was also Larry's first of five All Star appearances. He started at short in three of those games ('74, '78 and '79). He was hitless in to plate appearances.
	P: Andy Messersmith. Andy was selected onto four career All Star games. He led the NL in wins with 20 in 1974. He pitched the first three innings and gave up the only 2 runs the AL scored.

1974 All Star Project: AL Bullpen

Continuing on with this project... here are the non-starting pitchers from the 1974 American League All Star Squad.

	Steve Busby. Made both the 1974 and 1975 All Star teams. In 1974 he won 22 games for the Royals and his second career no-hitter on June 19th against the Milwaukee Brewers. He did not pitch in the game.
	Mike Cuellar. 1974 was the last of four career All Star selections for the 1969 Cy Young Award winner. In 1974, he finished with 22 wins for the season. He did not pitch in the game.
	Rollie Fingers. Fingers helped define the modern role of "closer". 1974 was the second of his seven career All Star appearances. He was named the MVP of the 1974 World Series leading his A's to their third straight title. He pitched 8th (and final) inning for the AL squad, giving up two runs, including one on a wild pitch.
	John Hiller. Returning from a 1971 heart attack, Hiller recorded an AL-record 17 relief victories in 1974 while saving 13 games for Detroit. This was the only All Star selection of his 15 season career. He did not pitch in the game.
	Catfish Hunter. In what would be his last season with Oakland, Catfish delivered 25 wins and the AL Cy Young award. He was an eight time All Star. In this game he pitched the 6th and 7th innings, giving up a home run to Reggie Smith.
	Luis Tiant. Over his 19 year career, El Tiante appeared in three All Star Games, including the starting nod in 1968. In 1974 he won 22 games with a league leading seven shutouts. He pitched 4th and 5th inning of this game, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) and taking the loss for the AL squad.
	Wilbur Wood. This would be the final of three career All Star selections for the left handed knuckleballer. 1974 was the fourth straight season Wood won over 20 games. He did not pitch in the game.

1974 All Star Project: AL Bench

Continuing on with this project... here are the non-starting position players from the 1974 American League All Star Squad.

	Sal Bando. As you expect from a dynasty, the Oakland A's are well represented on the AL squad. Bando was the captain of the three time world champions. 1974 would be the final of his 4 career All Star selections. He was injured and did not play in the game.
	Dave Chalk. A former first round draft pick, 1974 was Dave Chalk's first full season in the majors. Looking at his stats, I have no idea how or why he made the AL All Star roster in both 1974 & 1975. In 1976 he became the last major leaguer to play a full season (at least 500 PA) and hit 0 home runs and steal 0 bases. He played third in the bottom of the eight and struck out in the top of ninth inning.
	Bobby Grich. This was Bobby's second of six total All Star game appearances. He also won four gold gloves at second of the Orioles. He replaced Rod Carew in the bottom of the third and delivered one of the four AL hits.
	George Hendrick. A member of Dick William's 1972 World Champion Oakland A's... Hendrick was appearing in his first of four career All Star games. He replaced Bobby Murcer in centerfield in the bottom of the fifth inning and singled to lead off the sixth inning.
	Ed Herrmann. 1974 was the only All Star game Ed Herrmann was ever selected for. He did not play.
	Al Kaline. Appearing in the final of his 18 career All Star games, Kaline would collect his 3000th hit and retire from the big leagues at the end of the season. He pinch hit for Gaylord Perry in the top of the fourth inning and fouled out to the catcher.
	John Mayberry. A member of both the 1973 and 1974 AL All Star teams. In 1973 he led the American League in on-base-percentage. He grounded out to first base as a pinch hitter.
	Don Money. This was the first midsummer classic appearance for Money. He would make the game three more times in the 1970s, starting at second base in the 1978 game in San Diego. He did not play.
	Darrell Porter. Like his teammate Don Money, this was the first All Star appearance for Porter. Like Money he would make three other games in his 17 year career. Also, like Money, he did not play.
	Frank Robinson. Frank made 14 different All Star rosters in the Hall of Fame career. 1974 would be his last as a player. He grounded into a fielders choice as a sixth inning pinch hitter.
	Cookie Rojas. Appearing in his fifth and final All Star game of his 16 year career. He holds the distinction as the first player born outside the United States to hit a home run for the AL in an All-Star Game in 1972. He did not play.
	Joe Rudi. A popular member to the powerful A's team, Rudi made three career All Star games, starting in the AL outfield in 1975. He replaced Jeff Burroughs in left and went hitless in two at bats.
	Jim Sundberg. This was the first of three All Star games for the six time gold glove winner. For some reason, not counting the injured Carlton Fisk, manager Dick Williams selected four different catchers for his '74 AL roster and only played one of them. Sundberg wasn't it. He did not play.
	Carl Yastrzemski. Yaz appeared in 19 different All Star games over the span of three different decades. He won the MVP of the game in 1970. In 1974 he replaced Dick Allen at first in the bottom of third inning. He collected a walk in the bottom of the eighth.