Heartbreaking: Cardinals lost a crucial represented key man in the All-Star Game is bad for baseball
With MLB All-Star Week upon us, teams have the opportunity to highlight their star players on the grandest stage. This year, Texas is hosting the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game at the ballpark in Arlington, where everything is bigger. Each team is guaranteed a representative if not voted in, and for the Cardinals, their sole All-Star for 2024 is the top-notch closer Ryan Helsley. However, in a recent development, Helsley has decided not to pitch in the All-Star Game. Kyle Finnegan of the Washington Nationals will take his place.
Spoke to Ryan Helsley here in Texas and during our conversation he drops this nugget:
He's not likely to pitch in All-Star Game tomorrow.
Let him explain why: https://t.co/Yt0H2uYYc6 via @stltoday #stlcards #Cardinals #AllStarGame
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 15, 2024
As a result, the All-Star Game will feature no players from the Cardinals. Despite being 11-time World Series champions and holding a prominent franchise legacy second only to the New York Yankees, the Cardinals will lack representation in this year’s event. Fans hoping to see their favorite Cardinals players in the midsummer classic will be disappointed, adding to the frustration surrounding the current state of the franchise.
The roster, filled with longtime veterans expected to perform at an All-Star level, has fallen short. Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and Sonny Gray are among those who should be shining stars but are instead experiencing some of their worst seasons. While Gray’s overall performance might make him a candidate for an All-Star snub, both Goldschmidt and Arenado have not lived up to expectations and are losing their star status within the game.
Although the established starters are contributing adequately, none have emerged as true standouts. Alec Burleson, who has been on a hot streak, shows potential as a future All-Star but is currently worth just 1.4 WAR, barely above league average. Meanwhile, Masyn Winn is having a commendable rookie season but has yet to distinguish himself as a premier shortstop in the National League.
The Cardinals are playing decent baseball, and this critique may seem like the complaints of a spoiled fan base. Indeed, the Cardinals have been more consistent than most franchises. However, given their storied history, it is disappointing that they have no representation at the All-Star Game. Without a single player to excite fans or serve as a marketing asset, Cardinals supporters are left to admire other teams’ superstars and wish for similar talent in their own lineup.