The 2011 MLB All-Star Game rosters have been announced, and there are a couple names on the list that should make Washington Nationals' fans chuckle. Old friend Joel Hanrahan made it in the National League, while old adversary Aaron Crow, the team's 2008 draft pick that did not sign, made it in the American League.
I imagine most Nationals fans will be happy for Hanrahan. He was with the Nationals for two and a half years before being dealt to Pittsburgh in the Nyjer Morgan trade. This year, Hanrahan has 24 saves and a 1.41 ERA for the surprising Pirates, so he's more than deserving. Unless Nationals fans believe he could have been this player in D.C. (his horrendous career here says otherwise), there's really no use crying over spilled milk.
Crow, of course, is another story entirely. The Nationals took him with the ninth pick in the 2009 draft on account of him being one of the top pitchers in the draft. But the Nationals never signed him, haggling over several hundred thousand dollars and coming up short. Crow went back into the draft, and was taken 12th overall by the Kansas City Royals. He signed there, and this season, he's been fantastic, posting a 1.36 ERA out of the bullpen.
The pick the Nationals got as compensation eventually became Drew Storen, so there's little use complaining. Then again, Storen was snubbed from the game, whereas Crow made it. That's an unfortunate stroke of irony.
For the latest on the 2011 MLB All-Star Game voting, stay with this StoryStream. Here is a list of the 2011 MLB All-Star Game starters and rosters.