I don't know if I'd go so far as to say Adam Dunn should never be allowed to play in another All-Star game, but at the very least he should be held out of the game this season and the next.
Never mind that Dunn is hitting .210 this year. I don't care if he were hitting .410, After what Dunn did last season, when he was the worst player in major league history, Dunn should have to serve an All-Star game suspension.
Let's refresh out memories, shall we?
After the Chicago White Sox gave Dunn a $56 million contract to serve as their primary designated hitter, Dunn hit .159 and struck out in 42 percent of his at bats (177-of-415). The power hitter hit just 12 home runs, and drove in 42 runs. It was the worst offensive season for a player receiving regular playing time since Bill Bergen, a catcher, hit .139 for – wait for it – the Brooklyn Superbas in 1909. Against left-handed pitching, the lefthanded hitting swinging Dunn hit .064 (6-for-94).
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But don’t judge Dunn’s futility simply by the numbers. Keep in mind that Dunn took most of those at bats as the Sox’ Designated Hitter. He was the one guy on the White Sox team designated to hit!This is like designating Chris Berman to keep his voice down, or Brett Favre to retire gracefully. At least old Bill Bergen played a premium defensive position - and played it very well - for the Superbas.
So, we all understand now that Adam Dunn in 2011 was the worst Major League Baseball player of all time?
You know how certain players go to the All-Star game even in off years, just because of their who they are and what they've done in the past? Well that's what should be happening, in the inverse, with Adam Dunn.
Dunn has hit 24 home runs to go along with his .210 batting average this year, which is why he made the team. But I say: too soon. 2011 is not nearly far enough in the past to forget the abominable misery. Seeing Dunn on the 2012 All-Star roster just kind of cheapens the whole thing.
And while we're at it....
David Wright > Pablo Sandoval (obviously), and Detroit Austin Jackson along with Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion should have made the final vote.
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