David Schoenfield of ESPN wrote a series of articles (Link1 – Link 2) that lists the longest All-Star drought at any position for each MLB team. The Mets happen to have the current longest drought at any position in MLB at 42 years in Left Field. Maybe Jason Bay can do something to end that streak this year?
Below are the 10 current longest droughts in MLB.
- Mets: Longest All-Star drought: LF — Clean Jones (1969) – 42 Years
- Brewers: Longest All-Star drought: CF — Dave May (1973) – 38 Years
- A’s: Longest All-Star drought: 2B — Phil Garner (1976) – 35 Years
- Tigers: Longest All-Star drought: LF — Steve Kemp (1979) – 32 Years
- Royals: Longest All-Star drought: C — Darrell Porter (1980) – 31 Years
- Orioles: Longest All-Star drought: RF — Ken Singleton (1981) – 30 Years
- Dodgers: Longest All-Star drought: 3B — Pedro Guerrero (1983) – 28 Years
- Twins: Longest All-Star drought: LF — Gary Ward (1983) – 28 Years
- Cardinals: Longest All-Star drought: 2B — Tommie Herr (1985) – 26 Years
- Mariners: Longest All-Star drought: LF — Phil Bradley (1985) – 26 Years
58 comments
Stick
2/22/2012-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
that is interesting, in a “too much time on your hands” kind of way.
I would have thought that Kingman might have made it during one of his big years, but I guess he would have been competing with Foster for some of that? or maybe I have my time periods out of whack…
kingman 26
2/22/2012-2:16pm at 2:16 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman made the all star game in 1976, the year he was chasing Maris’ 61 HR but actually played almost exclusively RF that year, and hurt his thumb diving in RF and missed the last 6 weeks or so.
Stick
2/22/2012-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
and off topic, saw this on spyder and a chill went up my spine:
“Ike Davis traveled to New York to have a follow-up related to his spring-training physical. A team spokesman said it is unrelated to last year’s ankle issue.”
Too much shellfish? isn’t this exactly how the Reyes thryoid issue started?
SaltyGary
2/22/2012-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
Sounds like he’s fine.
What I’m ticked with is Bay’s absence. Besides Tejada I think he is the only one. Get your 16m dollar ass on the field.
Ya know when my 6 year old gets frustrated when he is not good at something I instruct him on the importance of practice.
MetsFan4Decades
2/22/2012-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
If they set a deadline for reporting, there shouldn’t be a problem unless you don’t report by that date.
It appears Bay might be only 1 of 2 guys not there yet but he’s got until Sat. I know it looks kind of bad that he’ll might be waiting until the official report date but we don’t really know why he’s not there yet.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2012-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
I agree with this but wouldn’t you also agree that when players like Davis and Wright are already there when they too don’t have to report till Saturday Bay not showing up until he has to especially when you consider his struggles over 2 seasons doesn’t display an eagerness to go above and beyond?
It reminds me of the movie “Office Space” where a character worked at a Uno’s type restaurant kept getting hounded by the manager for only wearing the minimum 37 pieces of flair. The manager kept asking why she only wore the minimum and not more to the point she said to him if you want me to wear more than the 37 minimum why not just raise the minimum.
The manager’s reply was that well he remembered her saying that she wanted to express herself. and she having heard enough replied that she did want to express herself and gave him the bird. LoL
MetsFan4Decades
2/22/2012-2:36pm at 2:36 pm (UTC -4)
I understand your point and it’s a valid one.
All I’m saying is there could be a good reason. IDK, such as maybe one of his elderly parents had some surgery and he’s sticking around as long as he can? Something like that.
If he’s just holding out only b/c Sat. is the official report day then yeah, perception is that’s not making him look too good.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2012-2:48pm at 2:48 pm (UTC -4)
True, there could be a good reason as well like you said.
Stick
2/22/2012-5:12pm at 5:12 pm (UTC -4)
the fact that he already is on his retirement package contract, and once that is done probably never reports anywhere again, isn’t a good enough reason?
oleosmirf
2/22/2012-6:03pm at 6:03 pm (UTC -4)
Bay has a wife and 3 kids. No reason to leave his family a few days earlier than he needs to.
What’s going to happen to that short a time period that can’t be done with his personal trainers back home?
kingman 26
2/22/2012-2:19pm at 2:19 pm (UTC -4)
Everyone can say what a great guy Bay is all they want, but this is the second year in a row he has done this.
All that money being paid for DL stints are garbage production, and he COULD NOT CARE LESS about working extra to improve.
He should have his sorry ass booed from day one.
Collins asked him last year and TRS and others acted like Bay’s refusal to come early meant nothing.
16 mil, and you cannot come early when you have largely stolen tens of millions from the team?
I wish I could be in FLA to cheer Wright and boo Bay.
MetsFan4Decades
2/22/2012-2:40pm at 2:40 pm (UTC -4)
hahaha – I was waiting for a response from you on this.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say he stole ‘tens of millions’. They offered him that contract. Anyone would be a fool to turn it down. I don’t think for one NY minute he planned on getting hurt and planned on his production falling off a cliff.
I understand the mindset though on the perception of him being the only one not there yet (not including Tejada who apparently dragged his feet on picking up his Visa).
kingman 26
2/22/2012-4:10pm at 4:10 pm (UTC -4)
LOL!
Well MF4D, first off, he sucked out of the gate in 2010, so the idea that this is all due to the concussion just is not realistic. He was terrible from day one.
Last year, after not playing since August, he was asked to come early and refused; he then got hurt–possibly from being so far out of baseball shape.
This year? Why would he not be the first guy there with all he has been given by this team, with the pass the fans have given him on two years of awful play, etc.
If he had the attitude many people want to pretend he has, he would have been there before David Wright.
Sure, Bay hustles on the field, but ultimately he really won’t give extra to try to regain his lost form.
That’s a shame.
oleosmirf
2/22/2012-6:11pm at 6:11 pm (UTC -4)
you are making WAY too much of this. The extra few days in camp are not going to make any difference…
kingman 26
2/22/2012-6:38pm at 6:38 pm (UTC -4)
Perhaps, but still, making all that dough, and having two terrible years, and having a baseball player’s annual 4+ month vacation, how the hell could it hurt to come down a few weeks early?
MetsFan4Decades
2/22/2012-9:27pm at 9:27 pm (UTC -4)
Oh yeah -not disputing that he’s sucked pretty much since he’s arrived.
MetsFan4Decades
2/22/2012-2:43pm at 2:43 pm (UTC -4)
And OT a bit but I didn’t realize Mariano Rivera had a long standing deal with the Yankees that he never showed up to ST until 2 weeks before opening day. I guess when you’re MO – show up in shape and only need like 5-6 outings to be ready – it doesn’t really matter.
They made a point of saying that yesterday b/c apparently he showed up to Yankee camp this past Sunday. This just fueled more ammunition in the camp of this will be his last year and he’s made the decision to retire.
SaltyGary
2/22/2012-2:56pm at 2:56 pm (UTC -4)
Bay is totally going to be this years goat. He knows it everyone knows it, but he doesn’t give a crap because he is getting paid. He probably wants to be cut so he can go home and swim in his money pool HE’S A BUM!!!
darknova306
2/22/2012-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
At this point, Bay is garbage and he knows it. He’s sitting at home drinking the Canadian equivalent of a martini while throwing the Wilpons’ money into a fireplace to stay warm.
MetsFan4Decades
2/22/2012-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, and Bay making the AST this year as NL LF?
Probably have a better shot at Johan making 25 starts this year.
gategem
2/22/2012-4:19pm at 4:19 pm (UTC -4)
The season, including ST, is so incredibly long that reporting 1 or 2 days early will not alter Bay’s production (or lack of it) this season.
gategem
2/22/2012-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
We, of course, would prefer for Bay to arrive at ST early proclaiming he found the cause of his lack of offensive production since becoming a Met and has taken the appropriate steps to make the necessary corrections. Then he goes out and performs similar to last year. But he did arrive at ST early.
Stick
2/22/2012-5:15pm at 5:15 pm (UTC -4)
it is all just a feel-good for the fans. Most of these guys work out all winter. heck, for many of them, going to ST might be more of a relaxing vacation (since they can cut back!)
kingman 26
2/22/2012-5:33pm at 5:33 pm (UTC -4)
Bay got hurt during ST last year and missed the beginning of the season as I remember it. Perhaps an extra week or two in Florida might have helped him be in shape?
Why are fans who make a tiny fraction of Bay’s money, and who do not have several months’ vacation every year, seem so willing to forgive less than 100% effort?
Sure seems odd to me.
SaltyGary
2/22/2012-6:25pm at 6:25 pm (UTC -4)
We just hired this guy at work last month and every day he leaves at precisely 5.00. Not 5:01, 5:00 like there is a cattle prod under his chair. Is he within the guidelines, yes. Is he perceived negatively for this, yes.
For a player that knows full well what heat he is going to get with another down season, to me he is already throwing in the towel and going through the motions.
Kong we may need to raise our vitriol of Bay to Bayonne’s level. Might add a little more humor to the site at least.
kingman 26
2/22/2012-6:36pm at 6:36 pm (UTC -4)
Bayonne’s level of anger + logic, sense, and facts = A strong argument.
Stickguy
2/22/2012-6:26pm at 6:26 pm (UTC -4)
hard to think that arriving a few days earlier would have made any difference last year. A bigger issue is if he was just fat toading on the couch all year instead of keeping in shape.
Besides, when is early, early enough? As long as he is there by Saturday, he is on time. Should he come in with P&C? 2 days early? new years day?
I don’t care as long as he is there on time, and in shape ready to go.
Hazmet
2/22/2012-6:49pm at 6:49 pm (UTC -4)
Just ordered the Banner Day 5-Pack. Will introduce the daughter to her first game this year.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2012-6:50pm at 6:50 pm (UTC -4)
Nice…
Hazmet
2/22/2012-7:14pm at 7:14 pm (UTC -4)
This is just freaky to me:
http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/02/22/12/Rays-to-give-away-Zim-Bear-at-June-game/msn_landing.html?blockID=671462&feedID=3925
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2012-7:20pm at 7:20 pm (UTC -4)
and to think that people actually signed off on this.
Hazmet
2/22/2012-10:33pm at 10:33 pm (UTC -4)
lol – that indeed is an amazing fact.
MetsFan4Decades
2/23/2012-7:58am at 7:58 am (UTC -4)
RE: Jason Bay not in camp…
He was there yesterday and he will begin working out with the team today.
By my count, everyone should be there now except Tejada – who Mets are still saying he should arrive on Sat. even with the Visa problems.
TRS86
2/23/2012-8:07am at 8:07 am (UTC -4)
Uh….
” Jason Bay was in town by Wednesday,”
Seems again like jumping the gun. He’s here early.
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-8:25am at 8:25 am (UTC -4)
I saw that as well but for the record just speaking for myself being in town was not what I meant by showing up early. Actually showing up in camp to participate in drills was what I meant. As far as I know it was said he was seen dropping something off at St Lucie.
Still though I will give him some props (and only some) for at least arriving a few days b4 required reporting date.
TRS86
2/23/2012-9:02am at 9:02 am (UTC -4)
Right but coming in anytime before the deadline is technically early? Right?
Listening to Justin Turner on MLB radio, so far they have basically done nothing. He said they were mostly hanging out, playing catch, getting some swings in nothing too strenuousness until Monday.
MetsFan4Decades
2/23/2012-9:10am at 9:10 am (UTC -4)
On that basically doing nothing…isn’t that because the first order of business for each is a physical and until they’re cleared to go, they really don’t do anything strenuous – as you said?
So I think the plan was all take their physicals by/on Saturday and structured workouts would begin on Monday.
TRS86
2/23/2012-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
Yup, that’s about it.
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
Jason Bay like srt said may have good reason to show when he did so one has to account for that but at the same time he may just not want to show up until he does and considering his poor play over 2 seasons speaking for myself it’s a turn off to see him arrive after players like Wright, Davis, Thole and Murphy to name a few.
kingman 26
2/23/2012-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
“considering his poor play over 2 seasons speaking for myself it’s a turn off to see him arrive after players like Wright, Davis, Thole and Murphy to name a few.”
Bingo, + 1 million, etc.
And even better could have been to add AGAIN in there somewhere.
TRS86
2/23/2012-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
OK so here is a question. Last year it was reported that Bay worked at some facility at his home and had always done that. What if at that facility he is working hard everyday and does not want to leave there until the last minute? He should still leave and come to camp and do basically nothing just because of fan perception?
All I can go on is based on manager and player accounts that Bay is considering a hard working, professional. Why should we believe otherwise just because he does not show up a week early to camp?
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
Sorry but barring some personal family reason my opinion is what it is.
SaltyGary
2/23/2012-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
This is TC’s quote about Tejada:
“I am a little surprised. As we talked about last year a lot of times, a lot of it is just selfishness on my part. I take great pride in the game itself and respecting the game itself. I wish everybody had the same respect for it to want to get started as early as possible. I know Ruben will come in in great shape. I know he’ll be ready to go, I just wish he was here.”
I imagine that applies to Bay but he is not going to say it since he is a veteran.
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
LoL, and speak of the devil. (in this case the devil being Bay)
Adam Rubin @AdamRubinESPN
Jason Bay has arrived in camp
http://twitter.com/#!/AdamRubinESPN/statuses/172698663758479362.
TRS86
2/23/2012-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
So it appears that Jose Reyes, who missed multiple games last year again due to injury and just signed a 100M plus contract also did not show up to camp until this morning… Obviously he does not care about his new team and …. LOL.
SaltyGary
2/23/2012-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
He doesn’t, all he cared about was getting paid, that’s why he quit on the last game. He is now paid, so let the dancing commence.
Crutches before the end of June, anyone want to take the over?
MetsFan4Decades
2/23/2012-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
I just don’t know. His hamstring problems were a huge factor in me not jumping off the ledge when we didn’t resign him.
Or maybe that’s what I’m just trying to convince myself of.
Saw Rubin’s article on Jose arriving in Miami.
Reyes trying to say it’s ‘all good’ between Hanley and him – even though he stated he’s seen him several times and they don’t ever talk about it.
SaltyGary
2/23/2012-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
If Reyes didn’t have the hamstring problems, then I would of been upset that he wasn’t resigned.
In 2004 they made him run differently after the first injury, so he wouldn’t put too much strain on them. Have you ever heard of such a thing for a ballplayer? He also had a back injury that year. We all know the rest of his injury resume, the guy is just fragile. If his ability to play at a high level wasn’t based on his speed, then you can look at the injuries differently, but my opinion this is going to be a really bad contract, especially the way it was back-loaded.
TRS86
2/23/2012-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
AGREED.
MetsFan4Decades
2/23/2012-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
‘In 2004 they made him run differently after the first injury, so he wouldn’t put too much strain on them. Have you ever heard of such a thing for a ballplayer?’
I remember that. And no, can’t say that I have but who knows what goes on with development? Probably more than we hear about. Although we know they’re constantly trying to dicker with pitchers. I remember Wheeler saying something about the first half of his season last year (with the Giants) being not so good b/c of some change they recommended for him. When he came over here he scrapped it and had a much better second half.
kingman 26
2/23/2012-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Sorry, and I do think this issue gets into personal political beliefs, but I feel when someone has the incredible lives that these guys have, with the freedom and independence their salaries provide, and the incredible 4+ month total vacation they have with their families from October-February every year, that they could show a little more initiative as Wright does every year.
Especially in the case of a Jason Bay, who was paid as a superstar leader, and has been an injury-prone complete bust. Wright’s there early every year, to show effort and thanks for the incredible life he regularly acknowledges–in word AND deed–that he has been blessed with.
As for Reyes, being courted and given a huge contract, and being given the position of the Marlins’ existing superstar Hanley? Showing up early would have been a nice gesture.
TRS86
2/23/2012-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Reyes was never one to show up early is my point and he continually got injured as well. Shouldn’t we have jumped on him? Or ultimately is it about production? If Bay hits then who the hell cares, the only reason we do is because he stinks.
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
Exactly, if Bay hit say 40 hr’s and 120 rbi’s each of the last 2 years would I be bringing him up? No. It’s because of how badly he has played over the last 2 years and still shows up to camp after players like Wright, Davis and Thole that I said it’s a turn off to see him arrive after said players and as far as I am concerned it speaks more to me when I see players showing up a week or more early and actually taking drills.
In the overall scheme it probably means very little but speaking only for myself it is something that is a turnoff for me to see from him.
TRS86
2/23/2012-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
So basically you want him to show up because of fan perception. Personally I don’t care when he shows up as long as he actually shows up with a wooden bat instead of an inflatable one.
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
Again I believe I’ve said “speaking for myself” regarding this so yes speaking for myself it speaks more to me when I see players showing up a week or more early and actually taking drills. Especially players that have had poor seasons in prior years.
TRS86
2/23/2012-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
I get your point, speaking for myself his stats speak much more loudly than fan perception.
Mr North Jersey
2/23/2012-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
Just read Rosenthal’s article about the Marlins stance on player salaries from 0 to 3 yrs. I wonder how many teams take such a stance and for that matter do the Mets?
It was an interesting read you all should check it out.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/miami-marlins-renew-young-players-contracts-at-league-minimum-possible-dispute-022212
MetsFan4Decades
2/23/2012-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
I saw that a little earlier.
First thing that popped into my mind was I’m not surprised. Loria didn’t suddenly change his stripes with all those FA signings this winter. He’s looking for a big payoff between those signings and the new stadium.
Then, I predict he sells for a huge profit.