The National League Team is Worse Without The Panda

July 10th, 2009

I haven’t said much about Pablo Sandoval not be selected for the All-Star game because this “last man vote” was great publicity for him (not that he wants it).  Most of the baseball world was finally taking notice of what Giants fans have been watching all season:  A portly but athletic, versatile, fun-loving, smart, high-effort guy who is a breath of fresh air because he plays the game the right way.

Despite the newfound publicity, it won’t be a big deal nationally if Sandoval doesn’t make the All-Star game as an injury replacement.  While his numbers dwarf many other players on the team, it’s an East Coast media-driven country.  Down the road, however, when Sandoval is getting the same type of respect as Albert Pujols (and he will, as we’ve made clear before), this slight will look moronic.  Sandoval is going to consistently be one of the top five players in baseball in the next five years, while playing in a pitcher’s park.  Historians will look back at his first full season and wonder why he wasn’t playing with baseball’s best in mid-July.

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