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Greinke deserves to start for AL in All-Star Game

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Jon Paul Morosi

Jon Paul Morosi is a national MLB writer for FOXSports.com. He previously covered baseball for the Detroit Free Press and Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He began his journalism career at the Bay City Times in his native Michigan. Follow him on Twitter.

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Updated Jul 9, 2009 11:32 AM ET
     
 

DETROIT

The numbers say the Royals' Zack Greinke deserves to start the All-Star Game, but you knew that already. Even after losing to the Tigers on Wednesday night, he is 10-5 and leads the majors with a 2.12 ERA. But that's only one reason Greinke should be standing on the rubber during the bottom of the first inning next Tuesday in St. Louis. There is another consideration here, something simple and complicated at the same time. Greinke wants to do it. "I hope to," he said late Wednesday night. "I think (Roy) Halladay's got a pretty good argument himself, especially with the experience he has. I'll be happy with either decision. If it's someone besides us two, I think that'd be a little weird." Greinke, 25, has been Heartwarming Story No. 1 during the first half of the season. After battling social anxiety disorder, a condition that forced him to step away from the game in 2006, he has become a bona fide star for Kansas City. At the risk of oversimplifying a complex medical diagnosis, many affected by social anxiety disorder have difficulty with normal-seeming situations that involve other people. That in mind, consider the following: On Monday, particularly if he is named the starting pitcher, Greinke will probably encounter more reporters than on any other day of his life. On Tuesday, regardless of when he enters the game, Greinke will be performing on the biggest stage of his baseball career. Fellow Royals right-hander Gil Meche, an All-Star in 2007, has offered a few pointers on what to expect. And you know what? Greinke, though still shy, seems to be looking forward to it. "He says it's one of the most fun times he's had in his life," Greinke said. "We'll see. It probably will be. Everyone says it's an amazing experience. In a couple days, it should be fun." Trey Hillman has wondered how Greinke will respond to the media attention, because managers think about things like that. But Hillman said he isn't worried now, because Greinke has handled the success "exceptionally well" so far. "Have I thought about it? Yeah, I've thought about it," said Hillman, who will serve on the American League staff under Rays manager Joe Maddon. "I don't think he'll handle it much differently than he's handled all the attention from the SI article and all the attention he's gotten at home. "I don't think it'll have a great effect on him, mentally or physically. I think he'll go out, regardless of when Joe decides to pitch him. I think he'll do a very good job." Hillman said he would "love" for Greinke to get the start, and there's no denying that it would make for compelling theater on a midsummer's night. Because while most baseball fans are familiar with Greinke — to the extent that he (a) has battled social anxiety disorder and (b) is arguably the best pitcher in baseball this year — he's not one of the game's most visible stars. They know he has amazing numbers. They have seen his strikeouts on the highlight reels. But that's pretty much it. The Royals are not exactly regulars on the Saturday/Sunday national television circuit. And not everyone has the premium baseball package. So, for all practical purposes, next Tuesday will be the first opportunity for people across the country to sit down, at the same time, and watch Zack Greinke work. "Everybody's talked about him, but they might not have had an opportunity to watch him pitch this year," Meche said. "What bigger stage to put him on than to start the All-Star Game and show everybody what's been going on? With all the talk about him and the things he's overcome, the things he's doing now ... why not?" Hard to argue with that. A case could be made for Halladay, who has never started an All-Star Game, but he's already received one honor this season: Most Googled Trade Possibility in a Three-Day Span. Halladay is scheduled to pitch Thursday afternoon against Maddon's Rays, so he will have the chance to leave a final impression. But it should be noted that Halladay has a 4.85 ERA over his first two starts since coming off the disabled list (groin strain).
Greinke's first-half résumé is complete after allowing three earned runs in six innings on Wednesday. With better luck and better defense — common laments for the Kansas City nine — Greinke could have kept the Tigers scoreless. When asked about his accomplishments over the season to date, he replied, "It's been good so far, but it's a whole season thing to me ... The first half doesn't count as the whole season, so you've got to keep going until the season's over." Good thing others have no trouble praising him. Before the game, I asked three Detroit players for their opinion on who should start for the AL. Edwin Jackson, an All-Star, picked Greinke. Justin Verlander, an All-Star, picked Greinke. Brandon Inge, who could be an All-Star if the fans' final vote goes his way, pointed at a nearby TV set. "Start him," he said. It was Greinke, on a scouting reel. "It'd be ridiculous if he doesn't," Meche said. "I know it's his first All-Star Game, but his numbers are better than anybody's in the league — in both leagues. If anybody deserves a start, it's him. I'd have to imagine that he's anticipating starting, just from the talks, and hopefully he does. "You have the best numbers, you start. ... I think it's a no-brainer. If he doesn't, I'll be shocked. If they're going off stats this season, he starts, period." Whether he gets the nod or not, here's hoping Greinke enjoys the game and associated hubbub. I couldn't help but think about the forthcoming frenzy as I stood among the four-person contingent that interviewed him Wednesday night. Greinke, the small-market pitcher who everyone sort of knows, is about to go national. International, even. And he said it himself: It should be fun.
Tagged: Tigers, Royals, Edwin Jackson, Justin Verlander, Brandon Inge, Zack Greinke

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