Adrian Gonzalez: A Legit All-Star
June 1, 2008 – 7:43 pm by Ryan Phillips
OK, since you’ve read the title the answer to some of these questions might be a little obvious but we’re going to stick to the theme anyway. Here are a few trivia questions for you:
Q: Who is currently tied with Chase Utley as the National League’s leader in RBIs?
A: Adrian Gonzalez with 50.
Q: Which first baseman has more home runs this season: Ryan Howard, Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Derrek Lee or Prince Fielder?
A: Gonzalez with 16. He’s just one behind Lance Berkman for first place among first basemen.
Q: Who has more hits this season: Gonzalez, Mark Teixeira, Todd Helton, or Prince Fielder?
A: Gonzalez (66).
Right now, Gonzalez’s San Diego Padres team ranks last in the NL in runs and second to last in batting average (.237), slugging percentage (.362), on-base percentage (.308) and OPS (.671). But the first baseman has gotten it done with little or no protection. After a huge month of May where he hit .288, launched 10 bombs and drove in 29 runs, he’s upped his season numbers to .290, 16 home runs and 50 RBIs.
The 26-year-old is currently on pace to finish the season hitting .290 with 45 home runs and 140 RBIs despite playing at PetCo. Park, the greatest pitcher’s park in the big leagues.
Due to a ridiculous rule, every team must be represented at baseball’s All-Star game, so Gonzalez will likely be making his first trip there this summer. But the sad part is, his monster season has been largely over-looked because of how bad his team is, how small his team’s market is and how many big name guys play his position. Obviously, you’d expect guys like Berkman, Pujols and Lee to get the lion’s share of the fan votes. But here’s hoping the players and coaches recognize the kind of season Gonzalez is having and vote him in.
10 Responses to “Adrian Gonzalez: A Legit All-Star”
Woot go adrian, pure beast.
By Anonymous on Jun 2, 2008
he was the #1 overall pick a few years ago and screwed over the marlins, peavy should be the only padre on the team!
By Erik on Jun 2, 2008
How did he screw over the Marlins? They traded him for Ugueth Urbina.
By Phillips on Jun 2, 2008
If I was a building around a first baseman, here’s how I’d pick between the 4 you mentioned:
1) Pujols (age 28) – It’s a no-brainer…
2) Gonzalez (26) – Everything you said…
3) Berkman (32) – Rather have him than Gonzalez NOW, not later…
4) Lee (32) – A good case could made for him NOW as well…
By Luke on Jun 2, 2008
Yeah, obviously Pujols has to go first on that list. I wouldn’t ever take A-Gon over him. But you do have to admit, Gonzalez gets WAY less pub that he deserves.
By Phillips on Jun 2, 2008
The four you mentioned at the bottom anyway, I don’t have the time to sort between all the others you listed, except to say Ryan Howard would be close to last. Oh, what the hell…
NOW
1) Pujols
2) Berkman
3) Lee
4) Gonzalez
5) Fielder
6) Teixeira
7) Helton
8) Howard
LATER
1) Pujols
2) Gonzalez
3) Fielder
4) Teixeira
5) Berkman
6) Lee
7) Howard
8) Helton
By Luke on Jun 2, 2008
Come on Phillips, we both know Gonzalez and Tony Clark aren’t even the best first basemen on the TEAM. Wally Joyner, anyone? The Mormon Mangler is the man. I miss his adult braces.
By The MCD on Jun 2, 2008
Whoa, timeout. There’s a Marlins fan?
By Hick Flick on Jun 4, 2008
Gonzalez is the best first baseman in the game, right behind Pujols. He’s Batting a 303 and 55 rbis the most in the national League and 17 homeruns second most in the majors.
By Anonymous on Jun 4, 2008
he should be a Starter in the all-star game
By Anonymous on Jun 4, 2008