Why Wakefield Didn’t Get To Pitch in the All Star Game

According to Ian Browne from redsox.com, Wakefield was one of the pitchers they were saving in the case that the game went into extra innings.  “Okay,” one might say, “then why did it have to be Wake? Why did they have to save both him and Beckett for extras?”  Ian Browne comes to the rescue again saying that Wakefield was well rested.  I also think that they took into consideration his ability to pitch more than one inning without hurting himself.   Wakefield is blessed with being able to pitch without his full five days rest because of the slow knuckleball.  In addition, Maddon was told to save extra pitchers because last year both the AL and the NL nearly ran out (who could forget that 15 inning game?)  So Wakefield was on the list of pitchers to save in case of extra innings. 

Beckett, on the other hand, had just pitched a complete game on Sunday.  Putting him in a game two days later wouldn’t be the best decision, and Beckett was well aware of this.  According to Browne, Beckett discussed this concern with Maddon who decided not to use him unless absolutely necessary.  I recommend reading Ian Browne’s “Red Sox Inbox” replies, he sure knows his stuff:

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090716&conte

Although it saddens me that one of the nicest guys in baseball didn’t get a chance to pitch in what could be his only All Star Game, I understand the situation.  I think all of us remember 2002 where we were robbed of seeing a completed All Star Game in Milwaukee because the game went into extra innings and we lacked pitchers.  In any case, don’t blame Joe Maddon for not pitching Wakefield.  From what I understand he’s a very nice guy and doesn’t deserve to be blamed for preparing for extras.  And don’t forget – the game was tied until the 7^th inning, so a late game was a possibility. 

On a side note, I believe the 2002 All Star game upset a lot of fans, causing Bud Selig and the rest of Major League Baseball to come up with something that would make the fans actually watch the All Star game in the future.  Then came the god awful rule that the All Star Game actually had to count.  Forgive me for saying this, but it makes me so mad that managers are now playing the All Star game to win instead of letting all the bench players get a chance to go on the field or approach the box as an all star.  Sorry Bud, but this rule needs to go.  True baseball fans will continue watching, even if they are disappointed about a tie game. 

In any case, Wakefield and Beckett had good reasons for not playing.  I for one am happy that they got elected in the first place.  Both were well deserved.  Go AL!

Keep the Faith!