Capps gets the call for Anaheim

by Phil Wood

I'm thrilled for Matt Capps. Going to the All-Star Game will deprive him of 3 days off with his family, but the All-Star Game is really an honor a reliever can't pass up, since it may not come around again.

I'm not terribly disappointed that Stephen Strasburg wasn't named, though something could still happen before the All-Star break. He seemed somewhat embarassed to be considered, but I think he'd get over that if he ends up going.

The shocker has to be Omar Infante of the Braves being named as a substitute. He's not a regular; he's a utility guy who's played second, short, third and the outfield, and I'm thinking that maybe Charlie Manuel picked him to avoid having to play someone else out of position late in the game. Infante has played in only 56 of the Braves' 82 games this year, and while he's batting over .300, he hasn't produced a lot of offense otherwise. A singles hitter, Infante has only 9 extra base hits among his 51 safeties this year. Nonetheless, he deserves to be congratulated.

It would be nice if the blue-ribbon committee that working on "improving" the game overall tells the commissioner that putting home field advantage in the World Series on the line as the prize for winning the Midsummer Classic was a bad idea, and to forget the whole thing. It's an exhibition game, for cryin' out loud. Also, unless the host team is involved, the fact that every team needs to be represented on a roster is an idea whose time has passed. I just can't imagine that Evan Meek's selection is going to do much for the TV audience in Western PA.

Anyway, Capps will hopefully get into the game, shoot lots of video, grab every freebie he can gets his hands on, wear the ring each player gets, and have as much of his family in Anaheim with him as he can get tickets for. He's a quality guy who's had some genuine success this season, despite some recent bumps in the road. It's safe to say he's exceeded the Nats' expectations.