Jul
6
2012

Reasons Why R.A. Dickey Should Start All-Star Game

An article by John Delcos

There are numerous reasons why R.A. Dickey should start Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Kansas City, so it’s hard to understand Tony La Russa not naming him for the honor. He knows the rotation schedule of the other candidates, so what’s he waiting for? If he wants to screw with New York area fans, he’d start A.J. Burnett (9-2), right?

Here’s some of the reasons why he should start:

1. At 12-1 with a 2.40 ERA, he has the best record of any NL starter. Washington’s Gio Gonzalez (11-3), St. Louis’ Lance Lynn (11-4) – the obvious choice if La Russa was playing favorites – Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels (10-4) and San Francisco’s Matt Cain (9-3 and a no-hitter) are having the best seasons for a starter. But, Dickey’s recent run is of historic proportions. His recent ten-game winning streak is reminiscent of pitchers like Sandy Koufax, Tom Seaver and Bob Gibson.

2. La Russa’s worry about not having a catcher familiar with catching a knuckleball has some merit, but I’m not completely buying it. If he’s worried about a wild pitch or passed ball costing a run, wouldn’t it be better for that to happen in the first or second innings and not late in the game?

3. Dickey is clearly the pitching curiosity of the first half, in either league. Give the fans what they want. Isn’t that what the game is supposed to be about?

There’s not guarantee of how well Dickey will pitch Tuesday. Recent starts against the Yankees and Phillies have not been good, but he’s always long on guts and his story is both inspiring personable.

He’ll only be in for an inning or two, but it should be the first two.

About the Author: John Delcos

I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.

3 Comments + Add Comment

Greg Pomes July 6, 2012 at 2:39 pm

terry collins agrees with La Russa. Way to have your players back.
- Kay July 6, 2012 at 5:23 pm
  
  Right, because this is so important. Mountain meet the molehill
Metsie July 6, 2012 at 5:06 pm

Here is why he should not start:
And I fully admit they are all selfish reasons and have nothing to do with his deserving the honor or winning the ASG for the NL….

1 – He could get injured! For an exhibition game?
2 – He has been a dynamo for us but there is already talk about overusing him and pitching him more on short rest to get the most out of him. That makes this little off break resting period for the rest of the MLB better for him than anything he will gain in the ASG.
3 – The less the AL sees his Knuckleball the better it is for us if and when we face them in the playoffs!
4 – Let the opponents pitchers blow their arms out or get hurt in the ASG
5 – Why let an opponent’s catcher to work with Dickey and discover some of his strategy in approaching hitters! Especially a guy who we might meet in the NLCS!

Like I said he deserved the start and has earcned the honors and accolades…
But I’m a selfish sonovabitch!
LOL
He OURS and no one else can have him!

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