Delmon Young Snubbed From All-Star Game; Lee, Brown In

Jul 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Domonic Brown (9) hits a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In a shocking display of ignorance and, dare I say it, straight-up anti-Phillies bias, only TWO members of the Phightins will be playing in the 2013 All-Star Game this year.

I know, I know. The world is going to be deprived of Delmon Young. We’ll all get through this together.

Instead, Cliff Lee and Domonic Brown will represent the Phillies at Citi Field for the Midsummer Classic on July 16, which I guess will have to do for now.

Both players are certainly deserving. Lee came into Saturday night’s game against Atlanta off to one of the best starts of his career, with a record of 10-2 and an ERA of 2.73 (11th in the NL). Through 18 starts, he’s already accumulated a bWAR of 4.4, which is one-tenth of a point shy of his total for all of last year, and his 119 strikeouts ranks him 4th in the National League.

Of course, there is the chance Lee won’t be representing the Phils in New York, given the constant trade winds surrounding the ace left-hander. He would undoubtedly be the best starting pitcher on the trade block and, if the Phils don’t have a stellar stretch of games against the Braves and Nationals, Lee could be gone before the All Star Game even happens.

Jun 29, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Multiple exposure of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

That would kinda suck.

Brown used his breakthrough May to catapult him into the All-Star Game conversation, and continued that blazing month with a stellar June as well (.278/.374/.537, .884 OPS, 6 HRs, 21 RBIs, 25/12 K/BB ratio).

Overall, Brown is having an excellent season in his first year as an everyday left fielder for the Phils. He entered Saturday hitting .279/.325/.549 for an OPS of .873 with 22 HRs and 60 RBIs.

Yeah, that’ll do.

Also of note, Jonathan Papelbon isn’t going to like this, but Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is one of five National League players up for the final spot on the NL roster. Fans will vote online to send either Puig, Hunter Pence, Ian Desmond, Freddie Freeman or Adrian Gonzalez to New York.

One can question why Delmon Young’s recent hot streak wasn’t enough to get him among the Final Five. The only reason I can see if anti-Phillies bias.

It’s the only answer.