NL Continues to Have That Star Appeal

No one could blame an American League fan for concern at this All-Star break.

The National League, besides holding a 37-20-1 lead in the rivalry, owns talent that could endure for a decade, no matter who wins Tuesday night’s game in Riverfront Stadium.

Will Clark, Robby Thompson, Bobby Bonilla, Barry Larkin, Rafael Palmiero and Chris Sabo represent skill that helps offset the emergence of American Leaguers Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Matt Nokes and Mike Greenwell.

Shawon Dunston, Andres Galarraga, Gerald Perry and Andy Van Slyke should do nothing to hurt the NL, either.

In all, 18 National Leaguers are making their first trip to the All-Star Game. And no AL fan needs to be told what an infusion of ability can mean. Since 1950, or three years after black talent came to the majors, the NL has won 33 of 42 games with one tie.

The NL has won three of the last four games, including last year’s 2-0, 13-inning session. Not since 1957-58 has the AL captured two straight games.

In fact, you can help measure NL depth by examining who missed this year’s team. Neither the Mets’ Howard Johnson nor the Reds’ Eric Davis, who last year joined the 30-30 Club (30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season) made it. Neither did two-time batting champion Tony Gwynn. Nor New York’s Randy Myers, who owned 13 saves entering the final weekend before the break. Nor Benito Santiago, last year’s Rookie of the Year. Nor the Cubs’ Mark Grace, a contender to become this year’s top rookie.

In fairness, we say the AL also left some quality at home. Toronto’s George Bell has hardly matched last year’s MVP season. And Cleveland’s Joe Carter, also a 30-30 player last year, didn’t make the team.

Still, the impression remains the NL is amassing emergent stars at several positions, especially in the infield. At first base alone, the NL brings San Francisco’s Will Clark, 24, and Montreal’s Andres Galarraga, 27, who should offset the AL’s powerful first base contingent of McGwire and Don Mattingly. Clark hit 35 homers with 91 RBI last year, and owned 19 homers and 64 RBI through July 6. Galarraga not only ranks among league leaders in several offensive categories, he also rivals the Mets’ Keith Hernandez in the field.

Chicago’s Ryne Sandberg, 27, has been voted the starting second baseman for the NL, even though Pittsburgh’s Jose Lind, 24, may soon emerge as the league’s best at that position. Lind did not even make the team. Also absent is San Diego’s 20-year-old Roberto Alomar, who goes to his left as well as Lind goes over the middle.

Pittsburgh’s Bobby Bonilla, 25, and Cincinnati’s Chris Sabo, 26, should embarrass no one at third, even though they represent a break from the Mike Schmidt era. Sabo, because he plays so hard, has created the miconception that he is an over-achiever. A prominent NL scout, however, explained Sabo is above average in running, throwing, fielding, hitting and power-hitting.

The NL even indicates it can compensate at short when the Ozzie Smith era ends. Smith, 33, is appearing in his eighth consecutive game. However, Cincinnati’s Barry Larkin can run, hit and hit for power and Chicago’s Shawon Dunston and New York’s Kevin Elster are shortstops with bright futures.

In all, the AL infield averages 28.6 years of age, and the NL 27.2. Nowhere does this show more than at third, where the AL brings quality and depth, but not much promise for the future. Wade Boggs (30) is starting, and George Brett (35), Gary Gaetti (29), Carney Lansford (31), and Paul Molitor (3l) could all play there. Molitor was the fans’ choice to start at second, which damns AL quality at that position. He has not played second base since last season.

The AL offers more than the NL can in young outfield talent. Oakland’s Jose Canseco, 24, ranks among the top 10 players in the game, maybe the top five. So does Minnesota’s Kirby Puckett, 27. Boston’s Mike Greenwell, headed for a 25-homer, 100-RBI season, turns 25 July 18.

The only NL outfielder approaching their combination of youth and production is New York’s Darryl Strawberry, 26.