1st Place Freedom Well Represented in All-Star Game

[BradZ]

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Amazingly enough it’s that time of year again when the league takes a 3 day break and all eyes focus on the very best from each league as they each put forth their top talent in an exhibition matchup for bragging rights (and a few $$’s). This year’s game takes everyone to Indianapolis, home to last year’s BLB Championship runner-ups.

Three Philadelphia Freedom players received automatic invitations to participate as members of the Import League All-Star team after all the votes were cast and a fourth was selected as a Manager’s Pick, giving the Freedom 4 total members on the 1988 IL All-Star squad.

SS Geoff Scott received what he hopes is the first of many trips to the annual event.

“I feel like this year I’m finally starting to break out,” said Scott when asked about the All-Star nod. “A lot of times you don’t get that kind of recognition during the first really good season you have, there’s usually a year’s lag, but to be voted in as a starter is truly mindblowing. I wasn’t expecting it, that’s for sure.”

Scott’s stats for the first half of 1988:<table border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="10%"><tr> <th>G</th><th>AB</th> <th>BA</th><th>OBP</th> <th>SLG</th> <th>OPS</th> <th>H</th> <th>2B</th> <th>3B</th> <th>HR</th> <th>R</th> <th>RBI</th> <th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>VORP</th><th>RC/27</th></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>289</td><td>.301</td><td>.399</td><td>.439</td><td>.839</td><td>87</td><td>19</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>46</td><td>24</td><td>46</td><td>35</td><td>29.4</td><td>6.86</td></tr></table>

Also receiving automatic bids were pitchers Joe Aurillo and Joe Alveraz, both played a major part in putting up the #1 ERA in the BLB during the first half of the season. The selection is Aurillo’s 3rd time being selected (first time since 1984) and Alveraz’s 2nd consecutive (and 2nd total) selection.

"It's nice to get back there after a few years' layoff," said Aurillo. "I'm looking forward to it. I'm also very happy for the other guys. I think Joey A really deserves it. He's been solid all year"

Aurillo's stats <table border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="10%"><tr><th>G</th><th>GS</th><th>W</th> <th>L</th> <th> IP</th><th>ERA</th> <th>HA</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th><th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>WHIP</th> <th>QS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>RS/G</th> <th>K/9</th></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>16</td><td>8</td><td>3</td><td>115.1</td><td>1.64</td><td>80</td><td>23</td><td>21</td><td>2</td><td>31</td><td>92</td><td>.96</td><td>15</td><td>1</td><td>2.44</td><td>7.18</td></tr></table>

Alveraz's stats<table border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="10%"><tr><th>G</th><th>SV</th><th>W</th> <th>L</th> <th> IP</th><th>ERA</th> <th>HA</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th><th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>WHIP</th> <th>BS</th> <th>SV%</th> <th>K/9</th></tr><tr><td>34</td><td>21</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>36.1</td><td>1.98</td><td>25</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>0</td><td>10</td><td>26</td><td>.96</td><td>1</td><td>.955</td><td>6.44</td></tr></table>

The fourth Freedom player selected was 2B Jim Newlin marking the 2nd time in his BLB career that he gets to call himself an All-Star. In what has become a somewhat controversial decision, Newlin made the team as a Manager's selection. Local fans have no doubt that he deserves to be there.

"He's been the best player on a team that's first in their division," said one fan. "I'm not sure what the question is. Good players always get left off the roster."

Newlin's stats:<table border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="10%"><tr> <th>G</th><th>AB</th> <th>BA</th><th>OBP</th> <th>SLG</th> <th>OPS</th> <th>H</th> <th>2B</th> <th>3B</th> <th>HR</th> <th>R</th> <th>RBI</th> <th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>VORP</th><th>RC/27</th></tr><tr><td>74</td><td>287</td><td>.307</td><td>.364</td><td>.474</td><td>.838</td><td>88</td><td>22</td><td>1</td><td>8</td><td>38</td><td>57</td><td>27</td><td>11</td><td>30.2</td><td>6.51</td></tr></table>

The Philly faithful will be pulling hard for their guys and the rest of the Import league team. There's always a sense of pride when your league is victorious, but maybe even more so in years when the contest is held in a DL ballpark because it gives the IL a chance to beat them with their own rules. They'll get there chance soon with the game coming up fast on the schedule next Wednesday, July 5th at 7:05pm.

[Clay]

Are you trying to think of polite ways to put "hosed Colonials out of their rightful spots"????

[BradZ]

Are you trying to think of polite ways to put "hosed Colonials out of their rightful spots"????

Polite? No.

I'm still waiting for you to actually take a look at the stats on this one.

[Clay]

Damn! I had a huge post that I typed, then the internet went out at work. Shit.

Anyway.... Cliff's Notes version....

Put their numbers side by side and there's nothing Newlin has over Poling... however... Poling has 4 things that Newlin doesn't... VOTES.

[Ryan]

Damn! I had a huge post that I typed, then the internet went out at work. Shit.

Anyway.... Cliff's Notes version....

Put their numbers side by side and there's nothing Newlin has over Poling... however... Poling has 4 things that Newlin doesn't... VOTES.

Well, at least you're not bitter. There's always that. Just sayin'.

The means this post was made in jest.

[Delandis]

Batavia better watch out. Clay has a man crush on every team in the Porter right now.

[Pat]

I actually think Newlin is much more deserving.

Defensive versatility, playing for a contender, better average, etc....Plus, the last thing we need is five players on the IL roster from a sub .500 team.

[BradZ]

Damn! I had a huge post that I typed, then the internet went out at work. Shit.

Anyway.... Cliff's Notes version....

Put their numbers side by side and there's nothing Newlin has over Poling... however... Poling has 4 things that Newlin doesn't... VOTES.

I think I see the disconnect here, 15 > 8 and people "dig the long ball".

As far as the VOTES go, I didn't realize the manager picks were meant to pick the people with the most votes not yet on the team and follow the popularity contest aspect of voting. Perhaps we should revisit young Pancho Herrera's spot on the roster and give it to the possibly more deserving Russ McEvoy. Afterall, 8 > 2 (or 1 if we want to make the assumption that 1 of those votes was the result of "home-cooking").

[Clay]

I think I see the disconnect here, 15 > 8 and people "dig the long ball".

As far as the VOTES go, I didn't realize the manager picks were meant to pick the people with the most votes not yet on the team and follow the popularity contest aspect of voting. Perhaps we should revisit young Pancho Herrera's spot on the roster and give it to the possibly more deserving Russ McEvoy. Afterall, 8 > 2 (or 1 if we want to make the assumption that 1 of those votes was the result of "home-cooking").

So take average and HRs out and put them side by side... they're having a nearly identical season.

They're getting on base at almost the identical clip. Defense. Baserunning. Almost identical across the board.

That tells me that perhaps the point of focus that separates them is who people actually chose to vote for.

Pat's opinions are meaningless because he swerves his argument to fit his point.

But, hey, your team went to the playoffs so your guys get a free pass... it's your call.

I'll put Herrerra's numbers against a bunch of guys who made the team... and didn't. And, for the record, I didn't pick Herrerra... I'm not a Manager.

[Clay]

I actually think Newlin is much more deserving.

Defensive versatility, playing for a contender, better average, etc....Plus, the last thing we need is five players on the IL roster from a sub .500 team.

Eeek... your points are laughable... you sway them to fit your argument. Just because you got two inferior guys in, say what you want. And you can play the defensive versatility thing, but I'll remind you that Poling (a) has already made an ASG at a different position and (b) hasn't needed to play out of position.

[Matt]

Batavia better watch out. Clay has a man crush on every team in the Porter right now.

Clay thinks we cry too much.

[BradZ]

So take average and HRs out and put them side by side... they're having a nearly identical season.

They're getting on base at almost the identical clip. Defense. Baserunning. Almost identical across the board.

That tells me that perhaps the point of focus that separates them is who people actually chose to vote for.

Pat's opinions are meaningless because he swerves his argument to fit his point.

But, hey, your team went to the playoffs so your guys get a free pass... it's your call.

I'll put Herrerra's numbers against a bunch of guys who made the team... and didn't. And, for the record, I didn't pick Herrerra... I'm not a Manager.

Fair enough points and I'm at least glad to see you say they're having nearly identical seasons. Your posts to this point have made it seem like Newlin being placed on the team was a great travesty.

Honestly, I don't see how the votes are relevant as I've mentioned before Newlin was classified as a 3B in the utility. Had Poling been classified as a 3B he would have recieved 0 votes as well (well, maybe 1 vote ) so I just don't see that as a tiebreaker.

To me the tiebreaker is Poling has had the privilege of batting in one of the best offenses in the league while Newlin has done his damage in one of the weakest. We simply wouldn't be in the position we are in without him.

Your making one of my points with your comment about Herrera. I was simply pointing out that deserving players don't always receive their share of votes.

[Pat]

Eeek... your points are laughable... you sway them to fit your argument. Just because you got two inferior guys in, say what you want. And you can play the defensive versatility thing, but I'll remind you that Poling (a) has already made an ASG at a different position and (b) hasn't needed to play out of position.

Two inferior guys in? Who are you referring to? Also, what do my players have to do with anything?

Speaking of those players...I might even argue that I have two with legit gripes. Russ McEvoy and P.J. Brooks. You could also even make the case for Cristfor Villazon if you use your "Injured-O'Hegarty" thinking.

[Jake]

I'd be happy with "just" 4 all stars (as opposed to my 1 allstar (in three years)), but I'm pretty sure at this point Clay is arguing just to argue and talk BLB. Which I respect.

For the record, I think you could go either way with Newlin or Poling. But even if he is there because of homecooking, it's no different from real life in the MLB. He earned his right to "suggest" players to Linty, so cook it up Brad.

Teagan Cannell for life!

[Clay]

I'd be happy with "just" 4 all stars (as opposed to my 1 allstar (in three years)), but I'm pretty sure at this point Clay is arguing just to argue and talk BLB. Which I respect.

Absolutely. But, for the record, I'm not arguing against Newlin as much as I am arguing for Poling. It's a right of passage in the MLB, and it deserves it's place in the BLB. It's no fun to talk about the guys who did make it... it's much more fun to talk about the guys who didn't.

Plus, as our esteemed new Commish will tell you, getting the most votes really means next to nothing when you can put a less qualified person in the position of power.

For the record, I think you could go either way with Newlin or Poling. But even if he is there because of homecooking, it's no different from real life in the MLB. He earned his right to "suggest" players to Linty, so cook it up Brad.

Agreed.