Although it remains a mystery as to why it took so long, what would have been one of the greatest travesties in Major League Baseball history was averted on Sunday evening when it was announced that 32-year-old Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman had been added to the National League roster for Tuesday’s 2022 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, replacing New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte.

Although there was no specific reason given for Marte’s withdrawal from the 2022 Mid-Summer Classic, the 33-year-old Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native – himself an All-Star in 2016 – suffered “groin tightness” in a game against the Miami Marlins on July 9. He ended up missing four games for the injury but returned to action on July 14 and played in all four games against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

In no way is this to suggest that Marte is not (or was not) deserving of his All-Star selection, it’s just that Freeman is (was) more deserving.

Through the first half of the 2022 season, Marte slashed .295 / .345 / .458 / .804, with nine home runs and 41 RBI for the 58-35 NL East first-place Mets. Freeman, on the other hand, slashed .321 / .397 / .530 / .926 with 13 home runs and 59 RBI for the 60-30 NL West first-place Dodgers. Freeman also leads all of baseball with 114 hits compared to Marte’s 92. (Do you see the travesty here?).

Freeman becomes the sixth Dodger named to the 2022 National League All-Star roster, joining pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Tyler Anderson, middle infielder Trea Turner, and right fielder Mookie Betts. 

Regardless of the reason for Marte’s withdrawal from MLB’s mid-season showcase event, the bottom line is that a serious travesty has been averted by him doing so.

Play Ball!

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