2011 MLB All-Star Game to lack shimmer as star players opt-out – Part 3
Placido Polanco of Philadelphia Phillies had been countering back pain for a month by taking anti-inflammatory oral medication. A bulging disk in his back had affected his plate production and the severity of pain inflated over the past week, keeping him
out of the Phillies’ line-up since Monday last week.
To be able to play in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 12, Polanco had to feature in Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. The third baseman conferred with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and manager Charlie Manuel on Saturday to conclude that it is
in the best interest of the Phillies and himself to sit out of the All-Star Game and hence miss Sunday’s encounter.
Polanco will receive treatment in Phoenix, maybe get injected for pain and will undergo rehabilitation to try and be fit for Friday to play against the New York Mets.
"I wanted to play, but we met yesterday and we decided it would be best for me and the team to take time off and not risk it," Polanco said.
With Polanco missing from third base, there will be added pressure on Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks to guard the bases. Miguel Montero will replace Polanco for the All-Star Game.
After having won the “Final Vote”, Shane Victorino is now unable to play in Tuesday’s game because he has been placed on the disabled list. However, he said that the fans had honoured him by voting for him and he now owes them an appearance on the Chase
Field and tip his cap to them even though he would not feature in the game.
Victorino was placed on the disabled list with a sprained ligament in his thumb inflicted when he attempted a catch against Toronto Blue Jays. Although swelling has gone down, he is still not able to hold a bat or throw anything.
Shane said, “Definitely want to go out there and put my Phillies uniform on and represent the Phillies at the All-Star Game. But unfortunately, won’t be playing.”
James Shields became ineligible to play in the All-Star Game under the “Sunday before” rule. He started for the Tampa Bay Rays against the New York Yankees and immediately lost his chance to represent the American League at the Chase Field.
James has been outstanding this season for the Rays, pitching at an ERA of 2.33. He has managed 137 strike-outs in 142.2 innings thus far in the season. Shields has pitched seven complete games this season and three of them ended as shut-outs. This rule
does not seem to make sense as a star pitcher of Shields’ stature cannot represent his League.
CC Sabathia was selected as an All-Star replacement for James Shields who became ineligible to play when he pitched against the New York Yankees on Sunday. Sabathia’s inclusion came as a surprise to many as he was as ineligible as Shields for the reason
that he was the Yankees’ starter in the same game.
Sabathia has initially been left out of the AL pitching staff. When he finally got the nod, he already knew that he would be ineligible to play and thus had already planned a vacation to the Bahamas.
This decision might have been one to keep the media and fans at bay. Sabathia is a household name and deserves much more than being just ‘named’ for the game in which he cannot play by any dimension.
Continued in Part 4
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