Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera have been selected to the 2022 All-Star Game, MLB announced this morning. They’ve been tabbed as the National and American League’s respective “legendary” nominees.
Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported this week that the new collective bargaining agreement permitted the commissioner’s office to select one or more players from each league as bonus additions to the game. The honor is in recognition of the player’s career body of work, not their 2022 performance.
“I am delighted that Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera have agreed to participate in the All-Star Game,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in the league’s press release. “Albert and Miguel are two of the most accomplished players of their generation. They have also represented the baseball traditions of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela with excellence for the last two decades. Albert and Miguel are two all-time greats whose achievements warrant this special recognition.”
Pujols is playing the final season of his career. He finished in the top five in NL MVP voting in ten of his first 11 years with St. Louis, claiming the award three times. After spending parts of ten seasons with the Angels and a bit more than half of last year with the Dodgers, he returned to the Cardinals for his final run. Pujols has appeared in 45 games in a part-time first base/designated hitter role.
Cabrera has seven top-five MVP finishes in his career, including back-to-back wins in 2012-13. He’s won seven Silver Slugger Awards and claimed the AL Triple Crown in 2012. He’s under contract with Detroit through 2023 and hasn’t suggested he plans to retire after this season, but he’s nevertheless a perfectly sensible choice as the AL’s first “legendary” All-Star. Cabrera has gotten the nod for 68 of Detroit’s 82 games at DH and posted slightly above-average offensive numbers.
Among active players, Pujols and Cabrera rank first and second, respectively, in career hits, home runs and RBI. Pujols is the active career leader in Baseball Reference WAR, while Cabrera ranks third among position players in that category (behind Mike Trout). They’re both locks to reach the Hall of Fame in their first years on the ballot. This will be Pujols’ 11th All-Star nod, while Cabrera is heading to the Midsummer Classic for a 12th time.
HOLY W
This is so dumb. The All Star Game gets worse every year. It is meant to be for deserving players who are having a great year. There are horrible snubs every year, yet Pujols will be there while hitting under .200
They should have waited until next year for Cabrera.
I’m sure they wanted someone from both leagues the first time they did this and there’s really no one else but Miggy unless it’s maybe Greinke.
Greinke would probably say, “nah, I’m good.”
My issue is it’s creating a precedent. If a great, such as Pujols, is retiring, all well and fine. The odds in any given year that a true great is retiring is slim,let alone two, one from each league. Honor Pujols. It doesn’t matter if one league every once in a while gets an extra pinch hitter.
I agree with your sentiment. I just think for the first year, they wanted to have both leagues represented.
@Joe, yes. It is after all an exhibition, so I’m fine with creating extra interest.
Miggy just passed 500 hrs, 600 doubles, and 3000 hits. They probably did this for Miggy and it’s Pujols who’s been added to balance things out.
Long live the King
Why, do you know the rules ??? Read again and let me know
This is awesome to see. MLB finally making an effort to do something for the fans instead of their pockets.
Right, making the All-Star game into the All-Jokes Game. The game is no longer relevant and hasn’t featured the best for many years now. Just fan favorites or the results of organized campaigns to get team favorites on.
That is all it have EVER been.
I liked the game when it had stakes. When they took away the WS connection, it became truly pointless
I thought the WS connection was a mistake, and I’m glad they severed it.
If the managers were truly trying to win, they wouldn’t take out their best hitters halfway through the game, so making the result meaningful never made any sense.
It’s no less fun to watch just because it’s an exhibition game, anyway.
I’m old enough to remember when they played for the pride of their league. Listen to Pete Rose talk about it.
Skeptical, how has the game not featured the best for many years now? Fans so a pretty good job of selecting the starters, and the league, players, and managers work together to choose the rest. Aside from every team having to have a rep, I’d argue the selection process is pretty good.
Every team SHOULD have a rep. Every team has its fans. Some might not have as many, but they deserve to have someone to cheer for in the ASG also. I know MLB network and ESPN would prefer there only be like 16 big market teams, because those are the only games they ever want to show, but at the very least the ASG gives fans of EVERY team a reason to watch.
Agreed, the selection process nowadays is more fair than it’s ever been before, especially now that the voting is online only with the players’ major stats readily available (although if they’re going to include RBIs, they should include Runs as well, and SBs would be a good addition to the stat line, too).
Meanwhile, the biased managers no longer have exclusive rights on the final selections.
@Skeptical
MLB already did that a year ago when they pulled the game from Atlanta for political reasons that had nothing to do with them.
Let Cabrera and Pujols have an “All Star farewell” it’s really no different then when they did the whole ARod to 3B to let Cal play SS in the 2000 game.
Totally agree it was outrageous to pull the game last year. I boycotted watching it—the first in my life that I can remember not watching. While obviously that gesture mattered not one whit to Manfred, it mattered to me.
I’ll take your “boycott” over the likelihood that more than a few star players would have opted out of the game.
It’s mostly based on fan voting, it’s already been completely meaningless since that was instated. Giving the fans the chance to see iconic players in that setting one last time is a great use of the platform that doesn’t mean anything, the game will be a heck of a lot more meaningful to a lot of fans because of the inclusion of these two players.
That’s your opinion and nobody care about… so, just keep your mouth closed
Funny how guys like Ortiz and Jeter didn’t need charity like this. They were good enough/popular enough to make it to the all-star game on their own merits. And isn’t Miggy under contract for the next three years anyway?
It’s really just one more year. His vesting options are irrelevant at this point.
Correct
Jeter getting voted in 100% was charity. He was performing well below an all star level player his last season.
Ortiz was a cheater.
So does Miggy get to do it again next year, too?
What if Pujols has a reunion tour with the Angels next year?
Miggy has been playing at an All-Star level this year, he might of gotten in as a ‘legend’ but he legit deserved a spot.
Since he is the best player on his team this year, that is probably true.
So since he’s in as the legend, I guess the Tigers still get another token all-star. THAT steals a spot from a deserving player from another team.
Yes, surprised they announced that already. Once Skubal has fallen back I thought Miggy would make the team as a DH for the Tiger’s all star representative. Given his decent year he is having and no one on the team is worth it. Maybe Fulmer or Soto get the nod.
@etex211…..By season’s end, I suspect Riley Greene will have established himself as Tigers’ best.
Soto is the best player on the Tigers, not a .700 OPS aging hitter. 10 years ago, Miggy was the best hitter in baseball. Now? Let the kids play
Paddy, probably so, but you don’t go to the ASG after playing in the league for three weeks.
I get that. While it was mostly Miggy being a great teammate, I took note when Cabrera noted that Greene was the Tigers’ best hitter in ST.
Granted, it was only Spring and that was a veteran heaping praise on his young teammate.
You really think Pujols would have any interest in a “reunion tour” with that organization?
How much does it pay?
Even though Miggy is not the offensive player he once was, and his power has evaporated, he is still one of the better offensive players for the Tigers. First in hits, RBI, AVG, OBP, OPS, and second in SLG. That may be more of a testament to how bad the Tigers offense is this year, but I’m glad to see him doing well.
He gets a ton of credit for not mailing it in and just collecting his paychecks. He got himself into better shape, and he isn’t embarrassing himself at all. He is hitting .308 this year while the league average is s0mewhere around .240. He is the greatest player of this generation.
How small do you define a generation? Between Pujols and Trout, Cabrera only had the four year span from 2010-13 as the greatest hitter in the game, and that’s without even mentioning pitchers.
To me, a generation is around 20 years. So let’s say in the 20 year period, 2001-2020, Miggy is the greatest. He won the World Series, he won the MVP twice. He led the league in hitting and OBP four times. He was the first triple crown winner in 70 years. I believe he has the highest career batting average of any active player or any recently retired player. 3000 hits. 500 homers. 17th all-time RBI leader and still climbing.
Trout’s a great player, but he’s never won anything. Pujols was a great player for the first half of his career. Neither of those guys are Miggy, IMHO. I’m sure some will disagree and other arguments can be made, but this is my opinion.
Pujols is hands down the best between the two. 3 MVPs (runner up 4 times also), multiple World Series rings, and he has about 30 more WAR than Cabrera. Nearly identical OPS but Pujols was an excellent defender for many years. Pretty much has him beat in every statistical category.
Statistics would disagree quite strenuously.
Pujols is way better than Miggy career wise. It’s really not even close.
It’s what the nba did that one year with dirk and Dwayne wade
The All-Star game is only there to get the sport more attention. It’s an exhibition game that means nothing in the grand scheme of the season. To MLB, it’s more of a marketing tool than anything. Why not give two guys who are generally liked by most fans one last ride?
I think the 2 representatives should be announced last… that way they can earn a selection based on their current year stats if they’re deserving
They already have a future stars game for top minor league prospects and a celebrity softball game as part of the All Star break festivities. Albert Pujols, Miggy, Nelson Cruz, Wainwright, Molina, Votto, Greinke, etc can all go play in a special “yesteryear’s All Star game”……sign autographs, take photo ops…..but they don’t belong in the actual all star game.
It depends on how you define what makes an allstar. “Best overall career” is just as legitimate of a case as “best numbers over this arbitrary half season even if the rest of their career is below average.”
ASG is a marketing tool for to baseball celebrate its great players, adding a bit of nostalgia is in line with that idea. However it is striking that MLB and these two players have so much in common: greedy + all about the money, once great and in steep decline.
I agree with your first sentence but why is it surprising that both owners and players want to make money? We just had a lockout over this. If you don’t agree with MLB’s business model, don’t support it and stop watching games.
The fan voting is just a popularity contest of the rich elite teams. This year the AL will heavily Yank players while the NL will be heavy Dodger players. So who wants to watch it besides fans of those 2 teams? After all these years you would think they could come up with a point system to take best players at each position.
You clearly have not seen the voting for this year
Miggy has been playing like an All-Star, he deserved this.
Only in the sense that he’s best player on his team. His 108 OPS+ is good but nowhere near All-Star level.
Cool to honor these two together. Two of the greatest RH hitters of all-time. I hope the “legendary” selections aren’t chosen every year.
Why? Every year at least 2-3 great players walk away from the game. Just because you don’t think they are “great enough” shouldn’t matter. We need to celebrate these guys that have given 15-20 years of their lives to entertain us. Not to mention the 10-15 years they spent working toward the goal to begin with.
Just think of the honorary spots as a player’s “gold watch” of sorts.
Ok well Molina already isn’t getting his “gold watch”…
Have you already seen the finalized rosters of the All Star Game?
The All Star Game is an exhibition game. It’s not really the best players anyway. I’d just have seen them voted in an a honorary captain, but for many fans, this might be the last time you see them play. Eh, it’s neither good nor bad.
Well, great. If Miggy doesn’t count as their required one All-Star, who the hell is gonna be the Tigers’ representative now?
Alex Lange. Filthy power curve, slider, and 97 mph fastball. So much for not getting anything for Castellanos.
Probably one of their bullpen arms. Their bullpen has been insane, especially given their usage with such a patchwork rotation.
I’ll say this, at least Miggy is hitting above 300 at this stage.
This is a pretty classy move. Love it! So long as the game continues to strictly be for fun and has no actual meaning, then I’m all for this
Extreme literalists who insist you have to “earn it by putting up numbers” are the most ridiculous aspect of the All-Star game these days
It used to be fans would vote for the actual all-stars. In other words who actually emerged as the standout, star players over the long haul
Ryne Sandberg would be the all-star despite having a down season for example
Now, it’s potentially Joc Pederson over Juan Soto. Which is absurd. But literalists will scream Pederson “earned” it. No he didn’t. Because he hasn’t done it over the long haul
They should put the career numbers when they list the stats
This is one of the dumbest comments I’ve seen on here in awhile. Congrats.
Two more reasons not to watch the All-Star Game.
Oh I see. So you don’t want to see Pujols come out to pinch hit as the fans give him a standing ovation and he tips his cap
This after a great amount of hard work and sacrifice over the years
You’re a real winner, for sure
Get off your high horse.
@Camden453,
No, I don’t. Besides, based on his current abilities, Pujols would probably just weakly ground into a double play after the conjectural ovation and tip of the cap you had described. The ASG is already lame. Why make it more unwatchable by putting these washed-up (but admittedly HOF worthy) has-beens on the rosters?
He and Cabrera have already been rewarded for their production with more money than you and I will ever see in our lifetimes. Sorry, MLB does not owe them final ASG appearances.
I see you’ve resorted to personal insults. Always the sign of someone making a losing argument. Way to go.
Then don’t watch. I won’t miss you.
@hiflew ,
Thanks, I won’t. I haven’t sat through an ASG since 1994. As for not being missed, I wasn’t planning on watching it with you anyway. I have other, more interesting plans for that night. Have fun.
@Doug Have you ever not invested time into watching a TV show with a great first season and then it going downhill from there? No one is forcing you to watch the ASG. It’s an exhibition game for fan entertainment. I loathe reality shows and can yell at the sky all day but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its loyal audiences.
@YankeesBleacherCreature,
To answer your question, no. 99+% of TV shows are a waste of time.
That’s right. No one is forcing me to watch the ASG. I never made any claim to the contrary.
My point is that MLB’s audience is shrinking, or at the very least is certainly not growing. The sport has to find a way to keep older fans and, more importantly, to attract new young ones in order to stay relevant. The gimmick of putting two broken-down players who were once genuine All Stars in the game isn’t going to help on that front. It’s just a lazy, unimaginative move that reeks of desperation.
There are a lot of things I have not done since 1994, but i never continue to complain about them with strangers on the Internet in 2022. Just my two cents.
@hiflew
“I know MLB network and ESPN would prefer there only be like 16 big market teams, because those are the only games they ever want to show…”
Are these your words? It sure looks a lot like complaining to strangers on the internet. How long have you been beating that dead horse? Since 1994? Or for longer than that?
You are not worth talking to. Have a nice life.
Curious if Manfred will utilize this discretion every year or only if the players fit the “legendary” criteria. Regardless, I think this is a great idea and reminiscent of Ripken & Gwynn repping the ASG in 2001.
I think that’ll depend on ASG TV ratings honestly. I’m sure he’ll be receiving feedback from the league, union, and fans. People in this thread are acting like Manfred made this decision unilaterally.
The all star game, the mlb draft, the home run derby. Add the great Miguel Cabrera…. I can’t wait!!
I’m also looking forward to the All-Star Futures game.
Not sure why everyone is so bent out of shape. I just don’t watch the game.
The All Star game is an exhibition. It’s not to be taken this seriously. From 1959-1962 they held two All Star games per season. And then after a ridiculous tie in 2002 they attached home field advantage in the World Series to the game until 2016. Every once in a while you get a hilarious moment like the John Kruk/Randy Johnson AB in the 1993 game or the even better Larry Walker/Randy Johnson AB in 1997.
The best part of the All Star used to be the Hone Run Derby and even that has lost it’s luster
Makes no sense to do Miggy. One he’s batting .308 last I checked and has a year remaining in his deal. Just do Pujols and Longoria. And make Longoria play for the AL. Sounds like Longoria is hanging the spikes up after the year
A more logical approach would be to just select Miggy because he has earned it this year, unlike Pujols and Longoria.
Both players will also be entered in the HR derby, and regardless of how many they hit each round (do they still do rounds..?) will face off against each other in the finals.
In addition to competing in the derby, every HR hit will count towards their career number in an effort to reach new milestones. If necessary, the total number accumulated in the derby may be doubled to reach said milestone.
If it gets either of them ahead of Bonds, then I’m all for it.
Let them both leadoff the game and from gthat point on let the All Star game proceed.
Let them both leadoff the game and from that point on let the All Star game proceed.
Let Pujols lead off for the NL and let the game proceed. Cabrera is still producing.
Maybe one could throw out the first pitch to the other, and then be done.
People who complain about this are the same people who complain that players don’t take the Home Run Derby seriously enough.
I take the homerun derby very seriously, because I know all of the participants are going to tank in the second half of the season.
What a joke!
I think that the Cardinals should release Albert and have him wear a wife beater during the game.
this news will have major ramifications on trade rumors
I like it…. The young players get to be around these Hall of Famers and pick their brains
Having a skills competition would be a lot of fun and no it would not mean more people would get hurt. If the arm goes – like it did for Barry Larkin – it was about to go anyway. It isn’t the skills game that causes it.
Both are deserving, but because it’s la and Dodger Stadium, would’ve liked Kershaw to have been considered, not at pujols’ expense but as another honorary spot.
Why would they even consider this? Keyshawn isn’t even close to being a legacy player
But… But… But… Miggy is signed for next year? You people are clowns.
They should include Bonds. LOL
When Miguel is introduced, I’ll be outside smoking a cigarette. When Pujous is introduced I’ll be on the toilet.
You are such an idiot
An evangelical Christian and a Catholic that practices Santería walk into the MLB All Star game…
The foundations of MLB are shaking because some misfits don’t like the ASG.
Could be the end of the game as we know it, right? Remember when people were upset that the game “counted”? Those same people are now upset that the game really, really doesn’t count.
The futures game, home run derby, the actual game, something else? Maybe spice things up with agents vs GMs in a 3 inning game, and if there’s a tie after 3 start the 4th with the commissioner on second base.
Should they go back to the game determining home field so you can complain about that too? Or would it be best to disband the game altogether?
News flash: it’s for the kids who want get to see all of their heroes in one place at a time, not you. I’m on the phone with the doctor for you now. He’s writing the Prozac subscription.
I’ve no problem with the ASG, and in fact have enjoyed it over the many seasons I’ve followed MLB. In trying to inject a little humor to counter the series of comments that are overly critical of the ASG festivities, it seems I’ve triggered your little hissy fit. Lighten up, have a Prozac!
The rosters will be a hundred deep in no time
I can see it now, The GM’s home run derby, to see who gets the rights to negotiate with the top draft pick of the season!
why??
so cabrera can get arrested charged and pulled over for drunk driving while yelling at the officer ‘ dont you know who i am’ and hes an all- star,
what am i missing?
All star appearances aren’t based on behavior during traffic stops? What are you looking for here exactly?
oh he also has 2 kids from a mistress hes paying child support for, sry forgot that!