Derek Jeter has been considered one of the less deserving All-Stars around baseball, what with his .257 average and .649 OPS. Obviously, his inclusion was warranted on the basis of his popularity, but not on the basis of his performance. So it's funny the way these things work out sometimes:
All Star Game 2011: Derek Jeter Bows Out
Jeter not going to All Star game
This way, Jeter gets the honor of having been voted in, but nobody has to watch him perform, and his roster spot will be taken by somebody better. According to a tweet from Tony Paul of the Detroit News, that may wind up being Jhonny Peralta of the Tigers.
Jeter is presumably bowing out for precautionary reasons, given that he just recovered from a Grade 1 calf strain that sent him to the disabled list. He joins Mariano Rivera as Yankee All-Stars who have elected not to go. One figures that Asdrubal Cabrera and his .834 OPS will now get the nod as the American League's starting shortstop.
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