No offense to Nationals pitcher Tyler Clippard. But what is he or any setup man doing in the All-Star Game?
This is supposed to be a game for stars. Not specialists. Not apprentices. Not guys who, by definition, are the second-best relievers on their teams.
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Clippard and another of his ilk, Jonny Venters of the Braves, have had nice years. But have they been more valuable to their teams than closers Drew Storen (23 saves) of the Nats and Craig Kimbrel of the Braves, who leads the majors with 28 saves?
In the American League, the Royals’ setup man, Aaron Crow, will take 431Ú3 innings of major league experience into the All-Star Game. He was handed the closer’s role earlier this year and couldn’t keep it. He retreated to his comfortable role and continued to build his stats.
He’s not an All-Star. What was Ron Washington thinking?
