If Ben Sheets weren’t the ace, there wouldn’t be one

April 13, 2008

Tom Haudricourt went for the gotchy’all after Saturday’s performance by Ben Sheets, stating again that Sheets is the team’s ace, and eff you if you’ve ever e-mailed him otherwise.

I agree. Most everyone agrees. Chris Capuano wasn’t an ace when he was recording all those wins. Jeff Suppan was never any team’s ace. Gallardo and Parra: maybe someday, who knows.

Where I disagree is with Tom’s implied statement that the best pitcher on the team is the ace. Nope. I think it’s perfectly acceptable for a team to not have an ace (Pittsburgh). I think it’s OK for a team to have two aces (San Diego).

If Sheets didn’t exist, it wouldn’t be necessary to elevate the next-best guy.