It’s not often that the best hitter in the league doesn’t make the All Star team but it happened this year. Indians’ DH Travis Hafner is putting up huge numbers this season, but Ozzie Guillen, the fans, and the players left Pronk off the AL squad. Not only that, but they left arguably the best pitcher in the league on the outside looking in as well, the Twins’ Francisco Liriano.
Hafner leads the AL in OPS (on base % plus slugging %) by 45 points over Manny Ramirez. This is the stat many experts are now using to measure a players’ offensive production. In fact, Hafner leads the league in both of the categories that make up OPS. By most people’s calculations, that would make Pronk the best hitter in the AL over the first half of the season. What would you think if the NL roster didn’t include Albert Pujols? That’s exactly what occurred in the AL in 2006.
The Indians’ DH also got hosed in the internet poll to determine the last spot on the team. Somehow, the White Sox’ A.J. Pierzynski with his 6 HR and 29 RBI’s was voted in. Besides the statistics listed above, Hafner is tied for 2nd in runs scored, tied for 4th in HR, 4th in RBI’s, and ranks 11th in batting average.
Critics will note that Hafner is strictly a DH, as if that nullifies his numbers. But, David Ortiz and Jim Thome will be in Pittsburgh next Tuesday, and the last time I checked, they don’t play the field that often. And Pronk’s overall numbers are better than both of those players.
There is no doubt that Grady Sizemore deserves to be an All Star. He has had a tremendous season. Travis Hafner will have to settle for the title of best player in the majors to never have gone to the Mid Summer Classic. It’s an unfair title for him to have.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 