National League : Picking an All-Star Team That May Choose Not to Shine This Season

With baseball’s labor talks stalled as they are, NBC-TV may be showing reruns instead of the All-Star game, should the players choose to boycott July 16.

But with just three weeks to go before the polls close on the fans’ All-Star voting, here’s one man’s selections for a National League team that may never play:

First base--Sentiment favors Pete Rose, still hitting .300 at 44. The anti-Dodger lobby can make a strong case for Steve Garvey, who already has hit more home runs in two months (9) than he did all of last season (8). But this vote goes to Jack Clark, who is doing everything for the St. Louis Cardinals--hitting for average, power and driving in runs--that they’d always dreamed he’d do in San Francisco.

Second base--Tommy Herr, Cardinals. The man is hitting .379, more than 100 points higher than his lifetime average of .276, and has driven in 51 runs, more than he’s ever done in an entire season. Enough said.

Shortstop--Ozzie Smith, Cardinals. This is looking like a St. Louis sweep. Other shortstops--Garry Templeton of the San Diego Padres and Rafael Ramirez of the Atlanta Braves, to name two--are hitting for a better average than Smith’s .253. But for the Wizard of Oz, the greatest glove in baseball, a .250 average is gravy.

Third base--Tim Wallach, Montreal Expos. This could only happen in a year that Mike Schmidt is hitting .220 and gets shifted to first base. Wallach may not approach the power numbers he posted in 1982, his first full season--28 home runs, 97 RBIs--but he’s a solid .270 hitter and a model of consistency in the field, where he has made only three errors in his first 56 games.

Outfield--Plenty of worthy candidates, but these three are most deserving: Dale Murphy of the Braves, having an MVP-type season at Atlanta; Vince Coleman of the Cardinals, merely because he’s the most exciting player in the league, and Jose Cruz of the Astros, who has made a career of being overlooked at Houston.

Of course, whoever’s managing this team had better find room for Tony Gwynn, the defending batting champion; Willie McGee, who’s hitting .356; and Dave Parker, enjoying a revival at Cincinnati.

Catcher--Terry Kennedy of the Padres, who has come back from the worst offensive season of his career--.240, 14 home runs, 57 RBIs. An acceptable alternative: Jody Davis of the Chicago Cubs.

Starting pitcher--Dwight Gooden (9-3) of the New York Mets, followed by Andy Hawkins (11-0) of the Padres, with Joaquin Andujar (12-1) of the Cardinals next up. Despite his losing record, Fernando Valenzuela (5-7) belongs here, too.

Relief pitcher--Jeff Reardon of the Expos, Lee Smith of the Cubs, Goose Gossage of the Padres.

As long as we’re picking teams, how about the:

Team You Wouldn’t Pay to See--Catcher, Darrell Porter, Cardinals, .125. First base, David Green, Giants, .186. Second base, Derrel Thomas, Philadelphia Phillies, .091. Third base, Howard Johnson, Mets, .181. Shortstop, Johnnie LeMaster, Pittsburgh Pirates, .104. Outfield, Sixto Lezcano, Pirates, .190; Jim Wohlford, Expos, .186; Candy Maldonado, Dodgers, .175. Starting pitcher, Jose DeLeon, Pirates, 1-8, 4.82 earned-run average. Relief pitcher, Neil Allen, Cardinals, 1-4, 6.57 ERA.

All-Town Team, National League--Pedro Guerrero and Mariano Duncan, Dodgers; Joaquin Andujar, Cardinals; Rafael Ramirez, Braves; Rafael Santana, Mets; Juan Samuel, Phillies; and Cesar Cedeno, Reds. All hail from San Pedro de Macoris, population 78,562, in the Dominican Republic.

All-Town Team, American League--George Bell, Tony Fernandez and Manny Lee, Toronto Blue Jays; Carmen Castillo, Ramon Romero, and Julio Franco, Cleveland Indians; and Alfredo Griffin, Oakland A’s, all from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic.

All-Presidents Team--There’s a Carter (Gary), a Kennedy (Terry), a Wilson (Mookie), a Washington (Claudell), a Johnson (Howard), an Adams (Ricky), and a Hayes (Von). The coach could be a Nixon (Russ). Throw in dictators, and you could add a Franco (John).

All-Music Team--Steve Sax, of course. Danny (Uriah) Heep, Rafael (Carlos) Santana; Ray (Gladys) Knight and the Pips; Duane (Jerry Jeff) Walker; Ted (Tower of) Power; Greg Booker (T and the MGs); David (Al) Green; Johnny Ray; Ron (Johnny) Mathis; and Bobby (Les) Brown and his band of renown.

Field and Stream Team--Steve Lake; Gary Woods; Steve Trout; Kevin Bass; Hubie Brooks; Charles Hudson; Rob Deer and Randy Hunt.

All-Sweetness Battery--Ron Darling of the Mets pitching to Alan Knicely of the Reds.

All-Cuisine Team--Rusty Staub, chef. Appetizer: Chili Davis. Seafood entree: Steve Trout or Kevin Bass. Venison entree: Rob Deer. Dessert: Darryl Strawberry.

All-Obstacle Team--The Mets have a Heep (Danny), a Hurdle (Clint) and a Blocker (Terry).

All-Rainbow Lineup Card--This really happened in the Giants’ game against Atlanta last Monday night. David Green pinch-hit for Vida Blue, and Chris Brown pinch-hit for Green.

Judge Wapner Double Play Combo--Vance Law of the Expos, Tom Lawless of the Cardinals.