Enough Of the Tim Wakefield Lovefest Already

After the debacle in Milwaukee, Bud Selig turned the All-Star game into an exhibition game with delusions of greater self-importance. A good example of this ridiculous charade comes in the person of Tim Wakefield.

Many in the sports media (including the All-Star selection show on TBS) have mentioned how much a great story the inclusion of Tim Wakefield on the American League roster is. What always gets mentioned is that he is at the top of the American League in wins. What never seems to get mentioned is that his ERA is only slightly above average.

Let's look at his stats.

11-3, 4.31, 61 K/37 BB, 108 2/3 IP (6.4 per start), 8 HR allowed.

Is that really All-Star worthy?

Let's see how many players I can name with better stats than Wakefield (AL with 80+ IP).
The 4 stats are W-L, ERA, GS, & IP. I don't see wins or losses as important, they are merely consequences of circumstance. But I'm including them so I don't get complaints from leaving those useless stats out.

Josh Beckett (10-3, 3.62, 17, 112)
Nick Blackburn (7-4, 2.94, 17, 116.1)
Mark Buehrle (9-2, 3.14, 17, 114.2)
Matt Garza (6-6, 3.70, 17, 109.1)
Zack Greinke (10-5, 2.12, 18, 127.1)
Roy Halladay (10-3, 2.85, 17, 123)
Felix Hernandez (8-3, 2.62, 17, 116.2)
Edwin Jackson (6-4, 2.59, 17, 114.2)
Cliff Lee (4-8, 3.45, 18, 120)
Kevin Millwood (8-6, 3.34, 18, 124)
CC Sabathia (8-5, 3.70, 18, 121.2)
James Shields (6-6, 3.38, 18, 122.2)
Justin Verlander (9-4, 3.59, 18, 115.1)
Jered Weaver (9-3, 3.15, 17, 114.1)

And that's just the pitchers with more innings pitched than Wakefield. And there are 7 with less innings than him that are also more deserving of a spot on the American League All-Star roster. I have nothing against Wakefield personally, but he does not deserve to be on the American League All-Star team.

Apparently this one counts only for sentimentality. And yes, I'm talking to you Joe Maddon if it was your decision to put him on the team.