MLB All-Star Game: Each team’s worst All-Star selections ever
Texas Rangers – Roger Pavlik (1996)
Wins are what determine if a team makes the playoffs or stays at home in October. However, they aren’t always the best indicator of how effective a starting pitcher truly is over the course of a season. A lot of luck plays into wins for a starting pitcher, and some pitchers luck into winning more than just ballgames.
In 1996, Roger Pavlik was one of those guys who was exceptionally good at hanging around long enough to win ballgames. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he pitched in front of one of the best offenses in the last 20 years. However, great offenses and a big win total can often hide other indicators that a season isn’t so great.
Prior to the 1996 All-Star Game, Roger Pavlik was tied for the American League lead with 11 victories and ranked 12th with a 2.1 WAR. However, he was also floating some other rough numbers, particularly his 4.82 ERA, 4.40 FIP, and a meager 5.71 K/9 ratio. That led to things catching up with Pavlik in a hurry in the second half, with the right-hander mustering only four more wins down the stretch while watching his ERA and FIP settle in at 5.19 and 5.00 respectively.
With Pudge Rodriguez already on the roster, the Rangers didn’t necessitate a second representative, but certainly American League MVP Juan Gonzalez would have been a better selection.
Next: Toronto Blue Jays - Roy Howell (1978)