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adminLots of Great Choices But One Size Wont Fit All A full-size 1911, decked out with many of today’s popular features. This example is a stainless .45 ACP Kimber Eclipse, factory equipped with adjustable night sights.
The U.S. Military is now into their second generation of standard-issue pistols since the Government Model 1911 was phased out. Replaced by the M-9 (Beretta M-92 FS) in 1985, the M17/18 (Sig P320) came next during 2017. Thus, except for those long in the tooth with military handgun experience, the 1911 is probably regarded more as an abstract relic by many veterans.
That may be true, but the Government Model is still a strong contender in the civilian market. Available in numerous calibers and sizes, many are true eye candy.
Polymer pistols enjoy strong sales, but the seemingly immortal Model 1911 Government Model still soldiers on. In fact, nowadays, old slab-sides has even been hybridized, one recent example being Springfield Armorys high-capacity Prodigy. And like the majority of todays single-stacks, this high-cap rendition incorporates features that were previously custom extras.
Prior to (and even well into) the debut of the Glock, many commercial Government Models started life pretty much as their military counterparts had. Three nearly obligatory upgrades were extended (beavertail) grip safeties, larger thumb safety pads, and a better set of sights the latter the topic of this post. 1911 Sights – Many Options Basic G.I. Sights
A genuine U.S. issued Government Model is a Spartan example of todays possibilities. In fact, for those of us old enough to have carried one, the forty-five was already dated, the most recent issued specimens dating to World War II.
Lord knows mine had certainly seen its share of hard knocks, as evidenced by its appearance – and interesting history. Captured (actually recaptured) from an opponent no longer in need of its use, unlike some other battlefield pickups we frequently encountered, it was still configured as issued at some point during its murky past. I wish Id recorded its markings, but priorities were different at the time.
After giving my new acquisition a thorough going over, it became my constant companion. Through some creative scrounging, I eventually accumulated a large stash of .45 Hardball rounds and magazines. The .45 is arguably one of several useful calibers to own, but one remaining loose end was the pistols bore, which showed heavily worn rifling. That problem was solved through dumb luck when, during a trip to the rear, I managed to score a new barrel. Today Id obsess over its fitting and confirm the results via careful range testing.
Ignorance being bliss, I simply dropped in the replacement barrel and proceeded to ventilate an ammo can from around twenty paces. More luck: A satisfying seven-round group formed directly above the pistols sights and, from that point on, the old G.I. .45 performed admirably.
Back to the subject at hand, I never remotely considered its sights a hindrance. I attribute this to the following: At the time, my eyes were a whole lot younger. When I finally handed my trusty old Government Model off to a buddy, they, along with the rest of me, were only 21 years old. Related to the above, Im a product of the era preceding computers, tablets and blue screens. During my pre-military days, phones had rotary dials and cords. Most households had televisions (initially black & white), but programming was limited to three networks received via rabbit ears or roof antennas. The expectation was, kids would either be in school or outdoors during daylight hours, with evenings reserved for homework. Result: My tender baby blues hadnt been fried by steady exposure to electronics.
Earlier on, both of my parents were Word War II veterans who grew up without any visually based electronics other than incandescent lighting – still a novelty in many regions of the U.S. when they were kids. And the Model 1911 predates them both.
Im betting the sights of my Grandfathers Navy-issued World War I version were perfectly adequate for his non-light-polluted eyes. Lots of other old handguns from that period have seemingly rudimentary sights. True enough by todays standards, but maybe their owners could actually see! The fabled U.S. Government Model .45 as it appeared in 1911. Produced by Colt and configured as issued prior to the A-1 version, this example may have been through World War 1. By today’s standards its sights are rudimentary appendages but, during that era, many shooters may have had better eyes.
Anyhow, those days are long gone. And on a personal note, the issued sights of my old 1911 would be close to useless for my now aged eyes.
Good news: Due to the ongoing popularity of this pistol, there are lots of great aiming choices today almost too many. The options include fixed or adjustable sights configured as three-dot versions, fiber optics, night sights, and even small battery-powered red dot units. Where to begin? Red Dot Sights
Today, the aiming system for many shooters young and old is a miniaturized red dot sight (MRDS). These small electronic sights have advanced from novelty status to mainstream – to the point where many currently produced pistols are now offered with optics ready slides, or as fully decked-out packages. However, pickings are still lean among traditional 1911 offerings. And, as far as Im concerned, thats okay. Heck, even with an aluminum frame a standard-size 5-inch version is already quite a handful.
Previous size issues have been addressed through todays genre of carry-friendly pistols, many of which are striker-fired compact 9mms. Thus, manufacturers of 1911s, aiming to please, now offer a number of competing smaller versions chambered for not only .45 ACP, but also 9mm. However, unlike the growing list of other compact pistols, optics-ready versions are conspicuously absent.
The reason probably boils down to reliable function. As originally designed, the Government Model was engineered to fire .45 Automatic Colt Pistol cartridges. The platform has since been adapted to fire a number of other calibers, but function-wise, the .45 ACP has always been the gold standard.
And, across the board, reliability becomes increasingly problematic commensurate with decreasing size, due to greater slide velocities and steeper unlocking angles. Fortunately, thanks to stiff demand and the ensuing R&D, most of these issues have now been overcome, and most of todays smaller 1911s will run reliably – in their factory form.
But, when it comes to MRDS offerings, among Kimbers extensive line, the only listed option is a Custom Shop 10mm version, (equipped with a Leupold Delta Point Pro). Likewise, Springfield Armory has a generous listing of 1911s, however, their MRDS platform is the high-cap Prodigy.
That said, the 1911 has been adapted to accommodate small optical systems. Beyond MRDS base adapters, existing slides can be machined (at considerable expense), or they can be purchased pre-machined from reputable sources such as Ed Brown: Ed brown 1911 Government Slide.
The great feature of Browns full-sized slide is, its machined for Trijicons 1911 RMR Mount, which ships with an integral night-sight and a dovetailed (NS green) front. The sights are tall enough to co-witness (lower 1/3) with Trijicons excellent RMR dot sights, providing the best of both worlds.
Playing it safe, a satisfactory installation will likely require the services of a competent gunsmith possessing the correct sight fixtures. Attempt to install a dovetailed night sight with a hammer and brass drift and you may discover its Tritium lamp is suddenly kaput. Also, theres the associated expenses. Labor aside, the slide costs around $352, and the RMR mount is $211. Factor in more money for slide components.
Alternate solutions include small aftermarket bases designed to fit factory rear sight slots, something Id just as soon skip – at least for defensive purposes. Durable Iron Sight Options
Jumping back in time, if I ould only add one upgrade to my battle-worn G.I. .45, it would have to be a foolproof set of iron sights, effective in all lighting conditions to include darkness. In fight-mode, durability would take top-billing over precise aiming.
Based on good results with two sight sets on a pair of small S&W polymer pistols (a 9mm Shield and .380 Bodyguard), Id look hard at XD Sights Big Dots for a 1911. The front sight is humongous, but its express design nevertheless affords more precision than one might expect and its also fast. An XS Big Dot Sight set shown here atop an S&W .380 Bodyguard. Although highly visible, they almost look too basic to provide any degree of accuracy. But in reality, they work surprisingly well.
Another route, circling back to Kimber, their Rapide comes factory-equipped with a set of TRUGLO TFX Pro Day/Night Sights. As for the sights themselves, if you log on to TRUGLOs site, you can peruse Truglo’s 1911 offerings. While youre at it, note the slide cuts which are listed as Novak LoMount patterns. Kimber’s full-size .45 ACP Rapide (top) ships with TRUGLO’s TFX Pro Day/Night Sights featuring fiber-optic & Tritium elements. Its smaller 9mm cousin, the 9mm Micro 9 ESV, is sold with Kimber’s low-profile night sights. Sights & Slides
The above is no more than a tiny sampler of the myriad sight possibilities. Nowadays, more 1911s are probably produced with slides machined to accept sights other than those of the original Colt/ Government Model. Rear Sights
Todays more common 1911 slide cuts correspond with the following sights:
Novak LoMount Introduced by Novak Designs in 1985, these streamlined low profile rear sights quickly caught on for defensive use, to the point where they became factory-issue for a number of pistol manufacturers. The line has since expanded to include versions for standard G.I. slides, as well as adjustable Novak models. See the variety of Novak sights.
As originally conceived by Novak, the sloping rear sight can sit low in a slide because it nests in a proprietary cut. But it wasnt the first designed for use in an altered slide. The Novak rear sight (L) is a night-sight version equipped with Tritium inserts that glow 24/7. Elevation is fixed but windage adjustments can be made after loosening the sight’s central setscrew. The fully adjustable BoMar (R) has softened blade corners but it’s really more of a target sight.
Elliason For many years the 1911 has been brought to a fine level of accuracy through careful fitting of its barrel, bushing, slide and frame, etc. Better sights were part of the package so, when Colt introduced a factory Gold Cup National Match version, it was sold with an adjustable rear sight. Recessed into its slide via a proprietary longitudinal slot, several iterations progressed to include a 1965 Eliasson design secured with a somewhat fragile cross-pin.
BoMar BMCS The emergence of the BoMar design provided a stronger low-mounted alternative to the Gold Cups sights. Although BoMar is no longer in business, fortunately for us, the design continues to thrive. Its offered by several manufacturers, using a unique inset crosswise slide cut. Commonly seen atop serious competition 1911s, its also adaptable to defensive roles through the use of melted sight blades featuring Tritium inserts. A closeup view of a Bo-Mar sight. The serrated windage and elevation screws provide precise clicks permitting regulated adjustments. It sits low on the slide thanks to its unique “dovetail” pattern. Sometimes referred to as a “BoMar”, the firm is no longer in business, but a number of other manufacturers now produce it.
LPA TRT Similar to the BoMar pattern, the elevation screw is located differently, another proprietary design.
The takeaway: Particularly when upgrading to todays great rear sight options, much like MRDS footprints, there is no universal size. But, thanks to the Internet, the necessary information is only a click away. Front Sights
The 1911s original front sight was staked, using a stem that protruded through the slide. Done right its secure enough (not all of em are). Two 1911 front sight examples. The sight on the Government Model slide to the right is attached via the original staking system. The dovetailed version is mounted to a “melted” slide, softened for snag-free holster use.
Replacements are available, but today, more slides feature horizontal dovetail cuts compatible with numerous useful designs. Beyond the various aiming options, different heights will usually correct elevation errors. However, because many are super-tight fits, as noted above, a properly designed fixture is the ticket to a damage-free installation. Also, since dovetail cuts can vary, matching combinations are required. There’s no missing this Remington 1911’s highly visible fiber-optic front sight – at least, not during daylight hours! Although less durable than an all-steel type, if the element breaks the sight’s body will probably survive. A new element can easily be installed (including one of a different color) with a nail-clipper and Butane lighter. Lasers
Today, most lights and lasers are mounted to pistols via their integral accessory rails. The process is simple, but a new holster will probably be necessary. Say you already have an older pistol, possibly a 1911 of vintage stock. Assuming it runs reliably, one easy-to-install aiming upgrade is a laser.
As long as the pistol is built to spec, its grip panels can be exchanged a set of Crimson Trace Laser grips. Its a simple kitchen table job requiring no more than a screwdriver. The laser can be zeroed off the iron sights without firing a shot (verify through some shooting), and a standard holster will probably work just fine. A holster friendly set of Crimson Trace Laser Grips attached to a compact Kimber Covert .45 ACP 1911. The laser’s emitter is located in the upper front corner of the grip panel. Activation is per the pressure pad below the pistol’s trigger guard.
If a rail is preferred you can buy a 1911 so equipped, but the pistol will gain weight and need a different holster. Parting Shots
For precise shooting, my hands-down favorite set of 1911 sights consist of a black BoMar adjustable rear (0.115 wide notch) paired with a narrow (0.110), highly visible green fiber-optic front. But, with defense as a top priority, durability should lead, followed closely by fast acquisition in all lighting conditions. And if the rear sight incorporates a shelf permitting a single-handed slide rack, so much the better. Generally, these designs will be fixed, but some adjustable versions can be reasonable picks. BoMar type night sight variations: The Kimber Eclipse set (L) has a horizontal bar, useful insurance against alignment mix-ups during low light situations. Wilson’s “pyramid” design is less likely to snag but still presents a clean sight picture.
A Wilson KZ-9 on hand here is such an example: Like the STI (now Stacatto 2011), this 4-inch 1911 is an earlier hybrid high-cap design. I ordered it with Wilsons BoMar-type Tritium pyramid rear (0.125 notch) and, because it’s a defensive pistol, its Tritium front sight is a bolder 0.125 fast to pick up on the move. The night-sights of a 4 single-stack Kimber I owned produced high hits. That issue was resolved by replacing its Novak-type fixed rear with an adjustable Miniature Machine unit. An example of a small retrofitted rear sight. Initially equipped with a fixed Novak-type night-sight rear, this 4″ Kimber 9mm shot high. Point of impact was corrected via the adjustable Miniature Machine unit, complete with Tritium elements.
If starting from scratch, the simplest route is a 1911 already set up to meet personal needs. If it may serve more as a foundation for future upgrades, a factory-dovetailed front sight is worthwhile. Stick with mainstream domestic manufacturers and the dovetails will offer no surprises.
And beliee me, Im only scratching the surface! Google 1911 Sights and fasten your seatbelt. Maybe, sit on your wallet, too! For more information about the 1911 and other handguns, here’s a link to Handguns: A Buyer’s and Shooter’s Guide. Handguns: A Buyer’s and Shooter’s Guide (Survival Guns) Markwith, Steve (Author)English (Publication Language) $19.95 Buy on Amazon

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World
Israeli soldier describes arbitrary killing of civilians in Gaza
Published
2 hours agoon
July 7, 2025By
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An Israeli reservist who served three tours of duty in Gaza has told Sky News in a rare on-camera interview that his unit was often ordered to shoot anyone entering areas soldiers defined as no-go zones, regardless of whether they posed a threat, a practice he says left civilians dead where they fell.
“We have a territory that we are in, and the commands are: everyone that comes inside needs to die,” he said. “If they’re inside, they’re dangerous you need to kill them. No matter who it is,” he said.
Speaking anonymously, the soldier said troops killed civilians arbitrarily. He described the rules of engagement as unclear, with orders to open fire shifting constantly depending on the commander.
The soldier is a reservist in the Israel Defence Force’s 252nd Division. He was posted twice to the Netzarim corridor; a narrow strip of land cut through central Gaza early in the war, running from the sea to the Israeli border. It was designed to split the territory and allow Israeli forces to have greater control from inside the Strip.
He said that when his unit was stationed on the edge of a civilian area, soldiers slept in a house belonging to displaced Palestinians and marked an invisible boundary around it that defined a no-go zone for Gazans.
“In one of the houses that we had been in, we had the big territory. This was the closest to the citizens’ neighbourhood, with people inside. And there’s an imaginary line that they tell us all the Gazan people know it, and that they know they are not allowed to pass it,” he said. “But how can they know?”
People who crossed into this area were most often shot, he said.
More on War In Gaza
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“It was like pretty much everyone that comes into the territory, and it might be like a teenager riding his bicycle,” he said.

The soldier is seen in Gaza. Photos are courtesy of the interviewed soldier, who requested anonymity
The soldier described a prevailing belief among troops that all Gazans were terrorists, even when they were clearly unarmed civilians. This perception, he said, was not challenged and was often endorsed by commanders.
“They don’t really talk to you about civilians that may come to your place. Like I was in the Netzarim road, and they say if someone comes here, it means that he knows he shouldn’t be there, and if he still comes, it means he’s a terrorist,” he said.
“This is what they tell you. But I don’t really think it’s true. It’s just poor people, civilians that don’t really have too many choices.”
He said the rules of engagement shifted constantly, leaving civilians at the mercy of commanders’ discretion.
“They might be shot, they might be captured,” he said. “It really depends on the day, the mood of the commander.”
He recalled an occasion of a man crossing the boundary and being shot. When another man came later to the body, he too was shot.
Later the soldiers decided to capture people who approached the body. Hours after that, the order changed again, shoot everyone on sight who crosses the “imaginary line”.

The Israeli soldier during his on-camera interview with Sky News
At another time, his unit was positioned near the Shujaiya area of Gaza City. He described Palestinians scavenging scrap metal and solar panels from a building inside the so-called no-go zone.
“For sure, no terrorists there,” he said. “Every commander can choose for himself what he does. So it’s kind of like the Wild West. So, some commanders can really decide to do war crimes and bad things and don’t face the consequences of that.”
The soldier said many of his comrades believed there were no innocents in Gaza, citing the Hamas-led 7 October attack that killed around 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage. Dozens of hostages have since been freed or rescued by Israeli forces, while about 50 remain in captivity, including roughly 30 Israel believes are dead.
He recalled soldiers openly discussing the killings.
“They’d say: ‘Yeah, but these people didn’t do anything to prevent October 7, and they probably had fun when this was happening to us. So they deserve to die’.”
He added: “People don’t feel mercy for them.”
“I think a lot of them really felt like they were doing something good,” he said. “I think the core of it, that in their mind, these people aren’t innocent.”

The IDF soldier during one of his three tours in Gaza
In Israel, it is rare for soldiers to publicly criticise the IDF, which is seen as a unifying institution and a rite of passage for Jewish Israelis. Military service shapes identity and social standing, and those who speak out risk being ostracised.
The soldier said he did not want to be identified because he feared being branded a traitor or shunned by his community.
Still, he felt compelled to speak out.
“I kind of feel like I took part in something bad, and I need to counter it with something good that I do, by speaking out, because I am very troubled about what I took and still am taking part of, as a soldier and citizen in this country,” he said
“I think the war is… a very bad thing that is happening to us, and to the Palestinians, and I think it needs to be over,” he said.
He added: “I think in Israeli community, it’s very hard to criticise itself and its army. A lot of people don’t understand what they are agreeing to. They think the war needs to happen, and we need to bring the hostages back, but they don’t understand the consequences.
“I think a lot of people, if they knew exactly what’s happening, it wouldn’t go down very well for them, and they wouldn’t agree with it. I hope that by speaking of it, it can change how things are being done.”

The soldier is a reservist in the Israel Defence Force’s 252nd Division
We put the allegations of arbitrary killings in the Netzarim corridor to the Israeli military.
In a statement, the IDF said it “operates in strict accordance with its rules of engagement and international law, taking feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm”.
“The IDF operates against military targets and objectives, and does not target civilians or civilian objects,” the statement continued.
The Israeli military added that “reports and complaints regarding the violation of international law by the IDF are transferred to the relevant authorities responsible for examining exceptional incidents that occurred during the war”.
On the specific allegations raised by the soldier interviewed, the IDF said it could not address them directly because “the necessary details were not provided to address the case mentioned in the query. Should additional information be received, it will be thoroughly examined.”
Read more:
What is the possible Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal?
Two security workers injured at Gaza aid site, group says
The man acting as backchannel for Hamas in US negotiations
The statement also mentioned the steps the military says it takes to minimise civilian casualties, including issuing evacuation warnings and advising people to temporarily leave areas of intense fighting.
“The areas designated for evacuation in the Gaza Strip are updated as needed. The IDF continuously informs the civilian population of any changes,” it said.
US
At least 82 dead in Texas floods as search continues for 10 missing girls
Published
2 hours agoon
July 7, 2025By
admin
At least 82 people have died in flash flooding in Texas as the search continues for dozens still missing.
At least 41 people remain missing, including at least 10 girls and one councillor still unaccounted for from Camp Mystic in Kerr County, a Christian summer camp for girls along the Guadalupe River.
At Camp Mystic at least 27 people died, the camp confirmed in a statement to Sky’s US partner NBC News. It said it is working with local and state officials to try to locate those who remain missing.
“This tragedy has devastated us and our entire community. Our hearts are broken alongside the families that are enduring this tragedy, and we share their hope and prayers,” Camp Mystic added.

A man helping with the search for missing campers reacts while stopping on the road near Camp Mystic. Pic: AP/Julio Cortez

Rescue workers are seen on land and a boat as they search for missing people near Camp Mystic. Pic: AP/Julio Cortez

A person removes bedding from sleeping quarters at Camp Mystic. Pic: AP/Julio Cortez
The director of the camp, Dick Eastland, was among those killed in the floods. He died trying to save the campers “he so loved and cared for”, his grandson George said on social media.
Water burst from the banks of the Guadalupe River and began sweeping into Kerr County and other areas around 4am local time on Friday, killing at least 68 people, including at least 28 children and 40 adults.
In nearby Kendall County, two people have died. At least six people were killed in Travis County, while at least four people died in Burnet County. In both Williamson and Tom Green counties, at least one person has died.
More on Texas
Related Topics:
US President Donald Trump has signed a “major disaster declaration” for Kerr County to ensure that rescuers get the resources they need.
Read more:
The victims and people missing that have been named so far
Generations of Texas elite in mourning over Camp Mystic tragedy
Why did deadly Texas floods catch people by surprise?

A map showing the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, which burst from heavy rain and caused flash flooding

Vehicles ride through a flooded road, following flash flooding, in Hunt, Texas. Pic: Reuters/Marco Bello

Officials ride a boat as they arrive to assist with a recovery effort at Camp Mystic. Pic: AP/Julio Cortez
Rescue crews have already saved hundreds of people and would work around the clock to find those still unaccounted for, Texas governor Greg Abbott pledged, adding that there were at least 41 people confirmed to be missing.
Mr Abbott asked relatives of people who may have been camping in Kerr County to contact local authorities, as it was difficult to know just who is missing due to the number of people who may have been camping in the area unofficially.
“There are people who are missing who are not on the ‘known confirmed missing’ because we do not know who they are,” he said at a news conference last night.
Meanwhile, police are collecting DNA from family members to help identify those who have died in the floods.

A military helicopter flies by over the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area. Pic: AP/Julio Cortez

A vehicle rests against vegetation near a cabin, following flash flooding, in Hunt, Texas. Pic: Reuters/Marco Bello
Colonel Freeman Martin, from the Texas Department of Public Safety, said there are several “unidentified” people at funeral homes, both adults and children.
The DNA collected from relatives was flown to the University of North Texas in Dallas.
“We will have rapid DNA in hours, not days, to get some closure and information back to those families,” Colonel Freeman Martin said.
He also said the death toll is certain to rise over the next few days.

A vehicle pulled from the water after the deadly flooding in Kerrville, Texas. Pic: Reuters/Sergio Flores

Rescuers paddle an inflatable boat as they search along a waterway following flash flooding, in Kerrville. Pic: Reuters/Marco Bello
This comes as Mr Abbott indicated that the danger wasn’t over yet either, as additional rounds of heavy rains lasting into Tuesday could produce more “rapid flash flooding events”, especially in places already saturated.
The governor urged drivers to be “extraordinarily cautious” for the next 48 hours due to the potential floods, as some people across Texas died when they were swept away in vehicles.
“Rising water on roads can occur very rapidly. You may think you can drive through it, only to find out when you’re in there that it is too late and you are getting swept away,” he said.
“You don’t need to get from point A to point B if you are going to risk your life,” he added, telling people to “turn around, don’t drown”.
Sports
2025 MLB All-Star rosters: Biggest snubs and other takeaways
Published
3 hours agoon
July 7, 2025By
admin
-
Bradford DoolittleJul 6, 2025, 05:38 PM ET
Close- MLB writer and analyst for ESPN.com
- Former NBA writer and analyst for ESPN.com
- Been with ESPN since 2013
The initial 2025 MLB All-Star Game rosters are out, the product of the collaborative process between fans, players and the league. How did this annual confab do?
We already know that injuries will prevent some of these selectees from appearing in Atlanta, and replacement choices will be announced in the coming days. By the end of this post-selection period, we’ll wind up with something like 70 to 75 All-Stars for this season.
These first-draft rosters contain 65 players, the odd number stemming from the decision to send Clayton Kershaw to the festivities as a “Legend” pick. First reaction: Baseball’s newest member of the 3,000 strikeout club has earned everything he gets.
Now, on to the nitpicking.
American League
Biggest oversight: Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins
The Twins’ lone representative on the initial rosters is outfielder Byron Buxton, a worthy selection. Ryan (8-4, 2.76 ERA) fell into a group of similar performers including Kansas City’s Kris Bubic and the Texas duo of Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Bubic and deGrom made it, which is great, and Bubic in particular is quite a story.
But Ryan and Eovaldi didn’t make it, and both were probably a little more deserving that Seattle’s Bryan Woo, whose superficial numbers (8-4, 2.77) are very close to Ryan’s. But Woo plays in a more friendly pitching park, and the under-the-hood metrics favor Ryan.
The main takeaway: If this is the biggest discrepancy, the process worked well.
Second-biggest oversight: Many-way tie between several hitters
The every-team-gets-a-player rule, along with positional requirements, always knocks out worthy performers from teams with multiple candidates. Thus, a few picks on the position side might have gone differently.
The Rays are playing so well they probably deserve more than one player. Their most deserving pick made it — infielder Jonathan Aranda — along with veteran second baseman Brandon Lowe. Infielders such as J.P. Crawford (Seattle), Isaac Paredes (Houston) and Zach McKinstry (Detroit) had good cases to make it ahead of Lowe, whose power numbers (19 homers, 54 RBIs) swayed the players.
While acknowledging that Gunnar Henderson has had a disappointing season, I still think he deserved to be the Orioles’ default pick instead of Ryan O’Hearn. But the latter was selected as the AL’s starting DH by the fans, and Baltimore doesn’t deserve two players. It’s a great story that O’Hearn will be a first-time All-Star just a couple of weeks before his 32nd birthday.
Other thoughts
• The default White Sox selection is rookie starter Shane Smith, a Rule 5 pick from Milwaukee last winter. Smith is my lowest-rated player on the AL squad, but he has been consistently solid. Adrian Houser, an in-season pickup, has been great for Chicago and has arguably produced more value than Smith. But I like honoring the rookie who has been there the whole campaign.
• The Athletics’ Jacob Wilson was elected as a starter and is easily the most deserving player from that squad. I’m not sure I see a second pick there, but Brent Rooker made it as a DH. Rooker has been fine, but his spot could have gone to one of the overlooked hitters already mentioned, or perhaps Kansas City’s Maikel Garcia.
• Houston’s Jeremy Pena is a deserving choice and arguably should be the AL’s starter at shortstop instead of Wilson. Alas, he’s on the injured list, and though reports say he might soon resume baseball activities, it’s likely Pena will be replaced. Any of the above-mentioned overlooked hitters will do.
• As for the starters, the fans do a great job nowadays. I disagreed with them on a couple of spots, though. I would have gone with a keystone combo of Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Pena rather than Gleyber Torres and Wilson, but I’d have them all on the team. And I would have definitely started Buxton over Javier Baez in the outfield.
National League
Biggest oversight: Juan Soto, New York Mets
Not sure how this happens, but I’m guessing Soto is a victim of his own standards. Yes, he signed a contract for an unfathomable amount of money, and so far, he hasn’t reinvented the game as a member of the Mets. He has just been lower-end Juan Soto, which is still one of the best players in the sport. His OBP is, as ever, north of .400, he leads the league in walks and it sure seems as if Pete Alonso has very much enjoyed hitting behind him.
The All-Star Game was invented for players like Soto, and though you might leave out someone like him if he is having a truly poor season, that’s not the case here. It is kind of amazing that he didn’t make it, while MacKenzie Gore and James Wood — both part of the trade that sent Soto from Washington to San Diego — did. They deserve it, and you can make a strong argument that a third player the Nats picked up in the trade — CJ Abrams — does as well. But Soto deserves it too.
Finally, the Marlins’ most-deserving pick is outfielder Kyle Stowers, who indeed ended up as their default selection. But he probably ended up with Soto’s slot.
Second-biggest oversight: Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s hard to overlook anyone on the Dodgers, but somehow Pages slipped through the cracks despite his fantastic all-around first half for the defending champs.
It was just a numbers game. I’ve got five NL outfielders rated ahead of Pages, and all but Soto made it, so no additional quibbles there. The fans voted in Ronald Acuna Jr. to start at his home ballpark. Having Acuna there in front of the fans in Atlanta makes sense. But he has played only half of the first half.
Other thoughts
• The shortstop position is loaded in the NL, but the only pure shortstops to make it were starter Francisco Lindor and Elly De La Cruz. Both are good selections, but the Phillies’ Trea Turner has been just as outstanding. Abrams and Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo are also deserving. The position has been so good that the player with the most career value currently playing shortstop in the NL — Mookie Betts — barely merits a mention. Betts has had a subpar half, but who will be surprised if he’s topping this list by the end of the season?
• Both leagues had three pitching staff slots given to relievers. The group in the AL (Aroldis Chapman, Josh Hader and Andres Munoz) was much more clear-cut than the one in the NL, which ended up with the Giants’ Randy Rodriguez, the Mets’ Edwin Diaz and the Padres’ Jason Adam. It made sense to honor someone from San Diego’s dominant bullpen, and you could have flipped a coin to pick between Adam and Adrian Morejon.
• Picking these rosters while meeting all the requirements and needs for teams and positions is hard. I don’t have any real issue with the pitchers selected for the NL. One of them is Atlanta’s Chris Sale, who is on the IL and will have to be replaced. My pick would be Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez (7-2, 2.68 ERA).
• And for the starting position players, Alonso should have gotten the nod over Freddie Freeman at first base, though it will be great to see Freeman’s reception when he takes the field in Atlanta. For that matter, the Cubs’ Michael Busch has had a better first half than Freeman at this point, though that became true only in the past few days, thanks to his explosion at Wrigley Field. I would have gone with Turner at short, but it’s close. And I’d have started Wood in place of Acuna.
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