{ With under three weeks until the All Star Teams are announced, we’re looking at what’s changed since our original previews. }
Preview I here.
#AL – Bill James & Cum Posey Divisions
Original Selections: Willie Mays, Reggie Smith, Jim Wynn.
The New York Gothams’ Mays is the clear starter, with an OPS just shy of 1.000 and great defense.
The next three are hard to separate: Memphis’ Smith and Houston’s Wynn are joined by Kansas City’s Willie McGee. All 3 have OPS’ around .875 with similar power numbers. Wynn leads the trio with 25 steals, and Smith has the best defensive numbers, so maybe we go with those two. But that could change over the next few weeks.
So, I would take the same three as before, while the AI only selects Mays and Smith.
#NL – Effa Manley & Marvin Miller Divisions
Original Selections: Eric Davis, Bobby Bonds, Bobby Murcer.
Everyone keeps waiting for The Black Yankees’ Davis to fade. Hasn’t happened yet: he’s tied with teammate Babe Ruth for the league lead in homeruns with 19, leads the league in RBIs with 59 and has stolen 28 bases without being caught for good measure.
He’s the starter.
By OPS, Portland’s Murcer is actually outhitting Davis, 1.033 to .928. Murcer’s defense is very suspect, but he clearly belongs. The final slot should go to San Francisco’s Bonds who has picked up right where he left off after an injury, slashing 331/382/577.
The AI also selects Brooklyn’s Duke Snider and his 13 homeruns in addition to Davis and Murcer (it selects Bonds as a RF as well).