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No-stars counter all-stars

Unless you live in the Kansas City area and are still pretty bummed that the American League All-Star team didn’t feature the entire 40-man roster of the Royals, the Mid-Summer Classic is a pretty good blend of the best in the game.

For the most part the fans, players and managers did a good job in bringing together an eclectic array of talent.

But there is a flip side to all the goodness.

Badness.

For every Andrew McCutchen there is a Marcell Ozuna. For every Mike Trout there is a Leonys Martin.

Why should the best-of-the-best get all the attention during this All-Star Break?

Here are the Not All-Stars of baseball this season in both the National and American Leagues.

After all, we wouldn’t know how good the real All-Stars are without the putrid stink of the Not All-Stars.

American League

Catcher: Mike Zunino, Mariners. He’s hitting .160 with 100 strikeouts in 200 at-bats. The very definition of not good.

First base: Mike Napoli, Red Sox. He’s been benched in games ... for Travis Shaw.

Second base: Omar Infante, Royals. He was almost a rare member of both the All-Star and Not All-Star teams.

Third base: Pablo Sandoval, Red Sox. Panda has been an $18-million albatross for Boston. He’s not getting many “likes” on Instragram these days from Red Sox fans.

Shortstop: Marcus Semien, A’s. He’s committed 28 errors already. If you boot the ball that much, you better hit like Honus Wagner. He’s hitting like Butts Wagner (look it up).

Outfield: Brandon Moss, Indians; Leonys Martin, Rangers; Adam Eaton, White Sox. Not hitting for average or power and striking out a ton.

Starting pitcher: Rick Porcello, Red Sox. He signed an $80 million contract extention before he threw his first pitch. Red Sox are having serious buyer’s remorse.

National League

Catcher: Derek Norris, Padres. San Diego has a way of ruining hitters.

First base: Pedro Alvarez, Pirates. At least he no longer makes a lot of throwing errors.

Second base: Chris Owings. D’backs. Who? Exactly.

Third base: Will Middlebrooks, Padres. He’s hitting .215, which is actually good for Petco Park.

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins, Dodgers. Rollins has added little to Los Angeles and is likely headed into retirement.

Outfield: Billy Hamilton, Reds; Matt Kemp, Padres; Dexter Fowler, Cubs. All three were looked at to have big seasons this year. All have been duds.

Starting pitcher: Matt Garza, Brewers. Garza has been regarded as an “ace” for years now. He’s been more like a joker this season with a 5.55 ERA for the Brewers.

Milwaukee keeps trotting Garza out to the mound every fifth day, even though an Abraham Lincoln impersonator would fare better.

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.

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