KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tony La Russa knew he’d get questions about bypassing R.A. Dickey to go with Matt Cain as the National League starting pitcher for the All-Star Game.
For beginners, Dickey pitches for the Mets in the media capital of the world, New York. There’s also the romantic aspect of a knuckleball pitcher – a dinosaur in the modern game – starting an All-Star Game. Last but not least, the 37-year-old Dickey was magnificent in the first half, going 12-1 with a 2.40 earned run average, including a stretch of 44 2/3 innings without an earned run.
Not that Cain is a slouch. The San Francisco right-hander threw a perfect game against Houston, striking out 14 hitters, and went 9-3 with a 2.62 ERA in the first half.
“I don’t think it detracts at all from R.A.’s accomplishments and being here,” said La Russa, selected to pilot the NL club Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium despite retiring after St. Louis won the 2011 World Series.
“Whenever he pitches, it’s going to be a great event for him and for baseball and for ourselves. It was a tough call. We wanted to reward Matt Cain for a career of excellence that’s getting better and better.”
La Russa thought it made sense for Cain to start with Giants battery mate Buster Posey behind the plate for the NL. He said Dickey definitely would pitch but would be given time to work with Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz in the bullpen to gain some familiarity before those two entered the game.
“I don’t think I’ll bring him in during an inning, and it’s very likely that when he comes in, it will be just as Buster leaves and Carlos gets to catch,” La Russa said. “I think that seems to make sense, that they would warm up together and get a little familiar.
“I know Dickey’s going to pitch, and I’m very aware of the first half he’s had. Matt was equally legitimate as far as getting the honor, and then we’re just going to play the game. I can’t bet you that Dickey will come out second or fourth, I just know he’s going to pitch in the first half of the game.”
Dickey did not try to mask his disappointment, however, over not being selected by La Russa to start the game.
“I’m not going to break down in tears over it, but at the same time I’m a competitor,” he said. “I want to pitch. I want to start.
“I feel like I’ve had a good enough first half to be considered. But I’m not the boss. I don’t have to necessarily agree with it, but I have to respect it. That’s the way it is.”
American League manager Ron Washington of Texas received no second-guessing for selecting Detroit’s Justin Verlander to make his first all-star start. Year in and year out, Verlander is one of the top pitchers in the AL but had to sit out last year when he pitched on Sunday before the All-Star Game.
“He is certainly one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, not only in the American League, and the joy that I have of giving him the ball (Tuesday) is great,” said Washington. “I expect a lot out of him and I know he expects a lot out of himself.”
As usual, both lineups are stacked with players having big seasons. With the designated hitter being used this year, La Russa took the opportunity to insert Colorado leftfielder Carlos Gonzalez in that role batting leadoff. You won’t find many No. 1 hitters batting .330 with 17 homers and 58 RBI.
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun will play left field and bat third, just as he does regularly for his club. Braun moved into the starting NL outfield when Los Angeles’ Matt Kemp withdrew after missing several weeks with a hamstring injury.
The AL lineup features some fierce sluggers in the middle, with Texas’ Josh Hamilton (27 homers, 75 RBI) batting third, Toronto’s Jose Bautista (27 homers, 65 RBI) fourth and Detroit’s Prince Fielder (15 homers, 63 RBI) fifth.
Apprised of that alignment later, Fielder said, “Sweet, perfect.”
Fielder then turned to son Jadyn and said, “The closest thing you’d probably get to a team like this is on PlayStation, right?”
The AL lineup has a distinct New York/Texas flavor with the Yankees’ Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano batting 1-2, and Curtis Granderson serving as a “second leadoff hitter” at No. 9. Beyond Hamilton, the Rangers have third baseman Adrian Beltre and catcher Mike Napoli starting.
Once again, home-field advantage in the World Series will go to the triumphant league. Last year, representing the Brewers, Fielder socked a three-run homer in Phoenix to propel the NL to victory, and St. Louis used that advantage to win the last two games at home against Texas to claim the crown.
“Of course, there’s extra incentive for me,” Washington said. “But it depends on if the players can go out there and make things happen, that we can put runs on the board and get out front, and then I can match the arms I have with what’s happening in the ball game and we can hold a lead.
“Last year, we didn’t get out to a lead, and we were playing from behind in the third inning.”
