Roche: Sharing Some All-Star Thoughts
BOSTON (CBS) -- First, let's begin with a huge congrats to Brock Holt on being named an American League All-Star.
I say this all the time -- it is a big deal. Walk into the plaque room at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and the first line on nearly every plaque says something like, "Carl Yastrzemski, 18-time All-Star, who played ... ." Like it or not, it is a big part of how these big leaguers are measured, which is why I will never have a beef with a guy who is bummed out or angry that he wasn't named to the team.
And, anyone who knocks Holt for being the one guy chosen because the Sox are a last-place team, it's not fair. Holt has played like an All-Star. Not only has he hit .295 with a .383 OBP and an .807 OPS, but he's also the only All-Star to hit for the cycle -- and he's played seven different positions. I was amazed when I asked Holt if he played the outfield in high school or growing up and he said no. He said he always played the infield. Watch him play the outfield for the Sox and he looks like a natural -- and again, that's on the MLB level.
Meanwhile, I hope Xander Bogaerts gets voted in by the fans, as he's certainly deserving. You have to be excited by the way this 22-year-old keeps getting better and better. Bogaerts leads AL shortstops in hits, doubles, RBI and WAR while he's second in batting average at .302.
Here's the link to vote for Bogaerts.
Lastly, the one driving thought I have as I look at this year's All-Stars is just how much young talent there is the game. Look at the names: Trout, Machado, Archer, Gray, Keuchel, Sale, Gordon, Harper, Stanton, Rizzo, Bryant, McCutcheon, Pederson, Cole ... on and on it goes. That's a great look for the future of the game.
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.