Here's a little sports trivia for you devoted summer sessioners. Can you name the only two days of the year in which there are no games played by any of the major professional (NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB) or collegiate (football and basketball) sports leagues? The answer appears at the end of this column.
The 74th Major League Baseball All-Star Game takes place Tuesday, July 15 at U.S. Cellular Field -- a.k.a. Comiskey Park -- in Chicago. Although the triumvirate of fans, players and coaches did a commendable job for filling out this year's rosters, the cynic in me (further provoked by Fox's theme of "This Year it Counts") can't let this year's selections completely slide without some ranting and raving.
I know that lamenting over the biggest All-Star snub is as much a summer tradition as the Midsummer Classic itself, but this year had one glaring omission that cannot go overlooked.
How was Florida Marlin starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis left off this year's guest list?
On the numbers alone, he's worthy of an invite. Willis is 8-1 with a 1.98 ERA on the season. He has the highest winning percentage and lowest ERA in the majors. In his last nine starts, Willis is 7-0 with a microscopic 0.85 ERA.
But Willis is worth more than his All-Star numbers let on --much more. So much more that Major League Baseball needs Willis to be in the game on Tuesday. He is dripping in charisma and charm. The only thing livelier than his fastball is his smile. This 21-year old phenom has taken the game by storm not only because of his numbers but also because of his character. He's a likeable youngster playing the game with the enthusiasm and innocence we wish all players had. Moreover, he always seems to be having fun out on the mound and in the dugout.
Need further testament to his ability to win over followers? Last month, the Marlins witnessed the second largest walk-up crowd (those who bought tickets at the gate on game day) in club history. What sparked this sudden interest? Willis was taking the mound against the division rival Braves. This hard-throwing, fun-loving southpaw has single-handedly rejuvenated baseball in south Florida for the first time since Edgar Renteria's bloop single put a World Series ring on Livan Hernandez's pudgy finger.
The addition of Willis could produce further tantalizing drama for baseball. If selected as the NL's starting pitcher, Willis would become the youngest player in Major League history to start the All-Star game. And who would start opposite side Willis? None other than Seattle pitcher Jamie Moyer. 40-year old Moyer, who is making his first All-Star appearance, is the leading candidate to become the oldest player in history to get the starting nod for the Midsummer Classic.
I personally cannot think of a better way to open the top of the first than with Willis facing off against the American League's best in Ichiro, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Delgado and A-Rod.
So why, despite all these lofty credentials, did Willis not make the roster? No one knows exactly. All that is known is National League skipper Dusty Baker of the Chicago Cubs selected Kerry Wood (8-6, 3.36 ERA) and Russ Ortiz (11-4, 3.50 ERA) instead. Despite having ERAs that nearly double Willis', Wood currently pitches for Baker and Ortiz pitched for Baker last year with the Giants. Draw your own conclusions.
But don't expect Willis to gripe. Instead, as expected, he let his arm do the talking. Against Baker's Cubs on Tuesday, Willis helped Florida defeat Chicago 4-3. Willis did not figure in the decision but threw 5.2 scoreless innings before an hour and a half rain delay forced him to call it a day.
Let's hope this most recent electrifying performance somehow gets him a return visit to Chicago next Tuesday.
(Answer: The day before and the day after the MLB All-Star game.)
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