Framber Theory

Note: this is all /s. I don't mean it. Mostly.

On July 8th, Framber wrapped up a magnificent first half by throwing 6 innings of 2-run ball against the Mariners in a 3-2 Astros win. He led the majors in ERA and looked every bit the top-shelf ace we all wanted him to be heading into the season. Framber had earned his second, very deserved All-Star selection.

He also very explicitly stated his desire to start the All-Star game. It's not every year that a pitcher heads into the all-star break leading the majors in ERA with his own manager as his side's All-Star manager as well.

The Astros squashed that idea. There has been reporting that it was Dusty, or Dana Brown, or Jim Crane, but it was conveyed to Framber that he would not start the All-Star game, and he probably would not pitch in the All-Star game at all. Dusty said, “We can’t risk Framber on two or three days’ rest for an exhibition game… I know it’s important but our season is far more important than an All-Star game."

It was understandable at the time: the team's pitching staff was held together with duct tape, with multiple rookies well on pace to set highs in innings thrown and the Astros bullpen taxed to the point of breaking.

Framber was disappointed. He took the snub with his head held high, but my theory is that he held it against the team. What did he do? Framber quiet-quit in protest of the front office. He made 14 starts after the All Star game. In 13 of those 14 starts, he threw 69 innings with 45 earned runs for a 5.86 ERA – that would be the second-worst mark for a qualified starter over the full season, ahead of only Jordan Lyles' 6.28 ERA.

Of course, in that other start Framber made, he threw a complete game no-hittter. As if to say – hey, I can do this. I'm just choosing not to, because you snubbed me for what could have been my only chance to start an All-Star game.

Will Framber permanently carry this snub forward? Only time will tell.

Note: I do not actually believe any of this. I was absolutely devastated for him that he did not get to start the ASG, since he said more than a few times that he really wanted to. I do believe it was bad karma not to give our ace all-star his wish to start the game, though.