(Updated Sept. 18, 2019)
Cardinals shortstop Garry Templeton, who played baseball like poetry in motion when he was at his best, was associated with some creative rhyme to express his displeasure with the all-star team selection process.
On July 10, 1979, Templeton was chosen as a reserve on the National League all-star team, but turned down the opportunity because he said he should have been the starting shortstop.
“If I ain’t starting, I ain’t departing,” Templeton reportedly said.
Though the words accurately described Templeton’s viewpoint, the catchy phrasing may not have been his.
“People bring that up all the time, but I never said it,” Templeton told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in its Sept. 26, 1979, edition. “Someone called me on my radio show and said it. I just said, ‘OK, that’s right,’ and it seems it went out everywhere.”
I’m No. 1
Templeton made his major-league debut with the Cardinals in August 1976 and was named an all-star in 1977 at age 21 as a reserve behind starter Dave Concepcion of the Reds. Templeton made one plate appearance in the 1977 game at Yankee Stadium, hit a double against Sparky Lyle and scored. He also made an error, allowing Graig Nettles to reach base and opening the door to an unearned run. Boxscore
Templeton wasn’t an all-star in 1978, when he made 40 errors. At spring training in 1979, he asked to be traded because of a pay dispute, but was ready to play when the season began, batting .302 in April, .281 in May and .377 in June. Templeton, who had 43 hits in 25 June games, topped all National League shortstops in batting average.
Fan voting determined the All-Star Game starters and when the final results were released on July 9, 1979, the top vote-getter at shortstop in the National League was Larry Bowa of the Phillies. Concepcion placed second, Ozzie Smith of the Padres was third and Templeton came in fourth.
“Templeton should be starting,” Concepcion said to the Post-Dispatch. “He’s having a better year than anybody.”
National League all-star manager Tommy Lasorda of the Dodgers selected Templeton and Concepcion to be reserve shortstops, but Templeton was miffed with the fans for voting Bowa as the starter.
“I ain’t playing second fiddle to nobody,” Templeton said to the Associated Press.
When asked whether he considered himself to be the best shortstop, Templeton replied, “I don’t think I am; I know I am. Others know it, too.”
Right and wrong
Cardinals general manager John Claiborne spoke to Templeton about his decision and told the Post-Dispatch, “I didn’t argue, quarrel or make a pitch,” but admitted he was disappointed.
“To me, it’s an honor and he should make every effort to go,” Claiborne said.
Templeton’s refusal to attend the July 17 game in Seattle prompted varied reaction, including:
_ Rick Hummel, Post-Dispatch: “The All-Star Game is merely a showcase, an exhibition game, and somebody who doesn’t want to be there shouldn’t have to go.”
_ Dick Young, The Sporting News: “Does anybody tell the young shortstop how to vote when he steps into the polling booth?”
_ Johnny Bench, Reds catcher: “He has his reasons … He obviously knows what he’s doing.”
_ Bing Devine, former Cardinals general manager: “I think he talks too quickly and puts himself out on a limb. Then it becomes a matter of pride.”
Concepcion said, “I don’t blame him. He’s hitting .320.”
Templeton told Hummel, “A human has rights. You’ve got to show your rights. The way I see it, it’s up to the individual. I don’t want to go.”
Templeton said he wouldn’t watch the game on television and would spend the three-day break with his wife and son.
“I’d rather spend the three days getting my mind off baseball and be a little more ready mentally for the second half,” Templeton said. “I want to go hard in the second half. I need a couple of days to get my mind straight.”
Best of the rest
A few days later, the New York Times released results of a player poll, taken before the final fan balloting, and Concepcion was the top vote-getter among National League shortstops, with Templeton placing second. Concepcion got 52 percent of the player votes.
On July 11, Concepcion said he also would sit out the All-Star Game because of a groin injury. With Templeton and Concepcion unavailable, Lasorda chose Craig Reynolds of the Astros to back up Bowa.
Besides Templeton, three other 1979 Cardinals were named all-stars: outfielder Lou Brock, first baseman Keith Hernandez and catcher Ted Simmons.
Brock, who said he’d retire after the season, was selected to his sixth all-star team, all as a Cardinal, and Hernandez was an all-star for the first time. Hernandez would be selected an all-star five times in his career, twice with the Cardinals and three times with the Mets.
Asked about Templeton’s refusal to participate in the 1979 game, Brock said, “There is a lot of pride in this game and I’m sure he was hurt by not being voted in. He is the best shortstop in the league.”
Hernandez said, “I don’t pry into Tempy’s affairs. He knows what he’s doing.”
Simmons was voted the 1979 National League starting catcher by the fans, but was unable to play because of a broken left wrist. Since fan voting for the all-star teams was reinstated in 1970, Simmons was the first National League catcher other than Bench to be voted as the starter. Simmons started the 1978 game when Bench, voted the starter, couldn’t play because of a bad back.
Simmons would be named an all-star eight times, six with the Cardinals and twice with the Brewers.
Show must go on
The National League won the 1979 All-Star-Game, 7-6. The highlight was a defensive gem by Pirates right fielder Dave Parker, whose throw on the fly to catcher Gary Carter nailed Brian Downing attempting to score from second on a Graig Nettles single. Video
The National League shortstops, Bowa and Reynolds, batted a combined 0-for-4 with a walk.
Brock, batting for former teammate Steve Carlton, rapped a single against Nolan Ryan.
Hernandez also got one at-bat and struck out against Jim Kern. Boxscore
Templeton, a switch-hitter, finished the year with 211 hits, becoming the first player to get 100 hits from each side of the plate in the same season. He hit .314 and led the league in hits and triples (19).
Templeton was selected an all-star for the third and final time in 1985 with the Padres. Chosen as a backup to the Cardinals’ Ozzie Smith, for whom he was traded after the 1981 season, Templeton got one at-bat and singled against Bert Blyleven. Boxscore
RetroSimba 
The “If I ain’t startin'” quote-attributed to Templeton-was actually a quip by Jack Buck.
Thanks. Would appreciate knowing the source of your information.
Dan O’Neill, Post-Dispatch. 8/21/2016: “That is a slightly erroneous piece of Templeton’s legacy in that he never said it. Cardinals’ Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Jack Buck coined the colorful idiom to summarize Templeton’s feelings about making the team as a reserve.
Thank you for providing that source. Quite interesting. I hadn’t seen that 2016 reference. For what it’s worth, here is what Rick Hummel reported in the Wednesday, July 11, 1979, Post-Dispatch: “Shortstop Garry Templeton reaffirmed his ‘If I ain’t starting, I ain’t departing’ pledge of two weeks ago, which he again had given the Post-Dispatch on Monday night.”
Back in those days it was hard for the new kid on the block to dethrone someone who had all-star seniority and tenure. Players like Bowa and Concepcion were household names, had playoff exposure and were much more popular with the average fan than our own Gary Templeton. And speaking of fans. We need to remember that back in those days, the Cardinals didn’t come close to bringing in 3 million plus at the ballpark like today. In fact, the Cards just barely averaged 20,000 a game compared to 29,000 for the Reds and 34, 000for the Phils. In comparing stats Templeton has the edge with the bat, but with the glove Bowa wins hands down.
You make several smart points. Thanks for taking the time to compose a thoughtful response.