Padres Wil Myers Deserves to Start All Star Game

The Padres did not have a single player elected into the All Star Game. However Wil Myers was quickly chosen by coaches as an All Star Reserve. Could he still end up starting?

Here is how this works: the All Star Game was originally scheduled to be in an AL park this season after being in Cincinnati last year, so this year even played in Petco Park – a National League park – it will be played by American League rules which include the DH. Myself and others think that Myers deserves to start as that Designated Hitter.

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Wil Myers is a rare recent Padres position player to make the All Star Team since Adrian Gonzalez left the team in 2009. The last Padre position player to start an All Star Game was Tony Gwynn back in 1999. The last Padre overall was Jake Peavy in 2007, so it has been awhile.

The fact that this years game is in San Diego, and Wil Myers represents so much hope for the Padres future is a big deal. He is a trade that though somewhat debatable has gone right for the Padres. He was hurt last year – but is healthy this year and producing at great levels and leading this team with his performance and no batting gloves get dirty mentality. He smiles, he dives, and he hits the ball high into the San Diego night.

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Bill Center sums it up this way: “Would it not be great to see a smiling face — on someone who truly loves the game — in the Home Run Derby, and leading off for the National League? And isn’t it great that Myers, a true ambassador for all of baseball, is a Padre?”

The Home Run Derby participants haven’t been announced yet, but Myers certainly deserves some look for that. Look at what Todd Frazier did for Cincinnati last year at his hometown ballpark and fans on a bad team.

For the DH, the Cubs dominating the infield vote does present some quandries. For example, Daniel Murphy who certainly is at the top of the league in many categories, would be a good fit. Likewise Trevor Story (up for the Final Vote) has been All Star worthy but out of a spot for the moment.

Next: History of All Star Game in San Diego

David Ortiz will be the DH for the American League, his 10th and final All Star Game and will look to leave his mark as this year’s honorary retiree, following the likes of Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and Chipper Jones who made victory laps receiving gifts in every city. Because who doesn’t want giant Padres surfboard when you live in Atlanta?

This choice is up to Terry Collins, but if he considers that by putting Myers as DH it will also be easier to get Paul Goldschmidt into the game at first base. We will find out next Tuesday if not before, but now that we have Myers in the game (deservedly) we want one more spot to make it all complete.