A VICTORY FOR SMALL MARKET TEAMS... sort of

Lots of people lament during the off season that big market teams (the Yankees, the Red Sox and the Mets) sign all of the big free agents and small market teams like the A's can never retain their All Stars.

Well the times are a changin' again!

Happy Days are here again!

Didn't you hear? The Oakland A's reached deep into their pocket books and re-signed a 2 time All Star and kept one of their own in the fold!

That's right. Justin Duchscherer will remain an Oakland Athletic!

That makes up for losing Reggie Jackson, Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Miguel Tejada, doesn't it?

OK, hands up if you knew Duchscherer was a ONE TIME All Star, let alone two!
I am guessing not a lot of hands went up.

No player since Scott Cooper has taken advantage of the "Mike Sharperson Memorial All Star Award" better than Duchscherer.

If the All Star Game didn't have the insane (but wonderfully nutty) "Every team needs an All Star" rule, the only was Duchscherer would be at the All Star Game was if he had a friend with a ticket.

Lord knows none of his TEAMMATES would be at the game.

And oh yeah, the two time All Star missed ALL of 2009 with back problems and depression. So the only way Oakland can keep their All Stars is if they are broken down physically and chemically.

But lately A's fans can't really be picky.

With Duchscherer back, maybe I'll pick the A's again!

Maybe not.

THE MIKE SHARPERSON MEMORIAL ALL STAR AWARD

There is a rule in selecting All Stars for the once relevant Mid Season Classic that says each team needs to be represented.

This rule is of course insane because sometimes a team simply doesn't have an All Star worthy player... but it also means that every year there is a player that has no business playing in an All Star Game that gets to make the trip.

I am naming this honor after the late Mike Sharperson, the lone representative of the 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers.

That team, that lost 99 games, had a lot of familiar All Star names (Darryl Strawberry, Eric Davis, Orel Hershiser, Brett Butler, Tom Candiotti, Jay Howell, Juan Samuel, Mike Scoscia, John Candelaria) but Sharperson, who batted .300 in 128 games got to make the trip to San Diego for the All Star Game.

He came into the game in the 8th inning, and struck out in the 9th against Dennis Eckersley.

He was basically a utility infielder starting 33 games at second and 39 games at third. The rest of the time he was a pinch hitter.

That's right, the Dodgers lone rep for the All Star game was a bench player.

Some people think MLB needs to change this rule because it is silly to see the Robert Ficks, Randy Winns and Mark Redmans of the world supposedly representing the best of the best.

But I like it.
It's a funny quirk that to me allows us that inevitable moment where you shriek "[INSERT MEDIOCRE PLAYER NAME HERE] is an All Star?"

This year there is no glaring Sharperson candidate.

The Finalists would be

NATE McLOUTH of the Pirates.
BRIAN WILSON of the Giants.

I'd probably have to go with McLouth.

The official award will be handed out on the eve of the All Star Game.
I'm sure they will be thrilled.

I just can't wait to see the parade in New York where greats like Frank Robinson and Yogi Berra will be waving to the crowd along with A-Rod, Manny and Pujols.

How many people will be screaming "OH MY GOD!!! NATE McLOUTH!!!"?