Adam LaRoche and his son

He's a star relative to the entire population of professional ballplayers, but star as I think most people define it is somebody in the top 10% or so of the Majors on a regular basis. How often was LaRoche an All-Star? Zero times.

 

Great avatar pic. Congrats.

 

Or the Joey Bats Rental Sweepstakes in July if the Jays are out.

 

Hosmer has the most punchable face in baseball, but I'd much rather see him on the Sox than Bautista.

 

Yeah, I understand most people have a problem putting these things in context. As for ASG, first base is typically the most competitive position from an offensive standpoint, so that's not much of a barometer.

But "star" is an amorphous, subjective term, so it's silly to argue about it. That he's been a starter at a premimum offensive position for 12 years and ranks in the top 300 HR hitters in baseball history speaks for itself. You don't command $13 million a year without being in the upper echelon of players.

 

O RLY?

 

From about 2009 through 2012, Bourn was one of the better center fielders in the game. Two-time all-star who led the NL in stolen bases three straight years and won a couple Gold Gloves.

 

None of this gets back my time watching him and Nick Swisher form a black hole light couldn't escape in the Indians' line-up the last three years.

 

Take it up with Chris Antonetti!

 

The top HR hitters in MLB history is massively skewed towards players in the last 25 years. It's not enough that he was a starter at a premium offensive position. The fact that he was never an all-star shows he wasn't exceptional compared to others. First base is or was filled by players just like him. He never rose above them so he wasn't a star.

 

The pain in the ass kid was at 120 games last year.

The .207 hitting star took advantage of a good thing.

Think of the ticket sales losses around the AL this year when fans won't be able to see this retired star.