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Article: An All-Star game that really counts // Other `Star' games don't measure up
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- July 13, 1986
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright (null) Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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Baseball is a loner's game within a team sport, a singular
achiever's undeterred pursuit of excellence whose intense glow cannot
be dimmed by a veil of surrounding mediocrity.
No matter to what depths a team sinks, its standouts can flourish
as does Ryne Sandberg at second base with the futile Cubs or Dave
Parker in right field with the floundering Cincinnati Reds.
The Phillies may have lost 97 games in 1972, but Steve Carlton
won 27 of the remaining 59 as well as the Cy Young Award.
Most fans know Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941 but few recall
where the Red Sox finished in the standings that season.
It is an extraordinary aspect of baseball, this clearcut
bisection of interest between ...