With the Major League Baseball All-Star teams announced this past Sunday it’s now time for “MLB’s Final Vote.” If you’re a casual baseball fan or not a baseball fan at all this is what it is. There are five players from each league that fans can vote for until Thursday afternoon at 4:00. The players with the most votes will win that last and final All-Star spot on each team.
I can’t think of anything more stupid than this. I didn’t like it when they started it, and I like it less as each year passes.
First off there’s no limit to the amount of times you can vote (like for the All-Star starters you can vote up to 25 times each, which is another joke), so the actual stats of the player really have no merit All it takes is a silly contest to stuff the box. Here in Philadelphia the Tastycake Co. (if you never had a Tastycake you don’t know what you are missing, they are nothing short of epic) is running a contest. They have locked five people in a room and all they are doing is voting for Shane Victorino. The person with the most votes for Victorino gets a VIP package to this Sunday’s Phillies game against the Braves. The person in second place wins an autographed Victorino jersey (I’m not sure of the other prizes). I’m sure this is happening in every city, I just know what is happening here in Philadelphia because I listen to sports radio the majority of the day.
Second off the MLB All-Star game is the only All-Star game that has any meaning with the winning league in the game gets home field advantage (which is another abortion). It’s bad enough that the fans vote non-stop for their home town team and normally a player makes the team who really has no business getting in (um, Derek Jeter). It’s strictly a popularity contest.
To me, this is Major League Baseball’s cop-out on players who were snubbed from making the All-Star Roster. Anyway, for fun let’s look at the players who only hope the fans find them popular.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Alex Gordon, OF, Kansas City Royals
The second overall pick in the 2005 draft was a bust until this season. He was hyped in Kansas City as the second coming of George Brett but ended up looking like the second coming of Pat Tabler. Gordon is starting to put it together this season batting .298 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI’s. These numbers are better than Michael Cuddyer and comparable to Matt Joyce (who both made the team as reserves). In Cuddyer’s case he might get a pass because he’s the only Twins representative (and the rules state that each team must have one representative). The Rays do have pitchers James Shields and David Price, so it would have been feasible to choose Gordon over Joyce.
The Royals lone representative is set-up man Aaron Crow, who is having a fine rookie campaign (although a rarity a bullpen player who’s not a closer makes the squad.)
Odds of Gordon Winning Final Vote: 100/1. This is a popularity contest and the Royals fan base ranks up there with the Marlins. I have probably have a better shot of playing next Tuesday in Phoenix then Mr. Gordon.
Adam Jones, OF Baltimore Orioles
Jones was an All-Star in 2009. Like Gordon, his numbers (.283/13/46), are comparable to both Joyce and Cuddyer, with the exception Jones has more speed and is a far superior defender. His average is far superior than reserve Carlos Quentin, but similar to Cuddyer, and Quentin is the only White Sox representative.
The Orioles lone representative is catcher Matt Wieters and this struck me as a surprise considering his numbers aren’t terrific (.262/7/33) and he’s actually the third catcher on the roster (the NL is only carrying two).
Odds of Jones Winning Final Vote: 75/1. Baltimore is making an online push to get people to vote for Jones by offering prizes, but it’s not going to be enough.
Paul Konerko, 1B, Chicago White Sox
The four time All-Star without question has the best numbers of any player who didn’t initially make the All-Star Team, and frankly I think he should be the reserve first baseman over Miguel Cabrera (while the numbers are close, Konerko is on pace to have the best season in his 15-year career). Konerko is currently the leading vote getter in the American League (at the time of this writing).
As mentioned earlier the lone White Sox representative is Carlos Quentin and while his numbers aren’t remotely as good as Konerko’s, there was a log jam at first base, although I think there was a much better solution to this problem (see Victor Martinez).
Odds of Konerko Winning Final Vote: 3/1. Konerko is probably the most deserving, and Chicago fans are making a strong push to see him in Arizona next Tuesday.
Victor Martinez, C/DH, Detroit Tigers
Although not the everyday catcher for the Tigers (that would be Alex Avila who is starting for the American League), no catcher has put up better numbers than V-Mart. If there’s an All-Star snub at this point is has to be Martinez or Konerko.
Personally I think the reserve bench would have been much stronger if Martinez was chosen over Wieters, Konerko over Cabrera, and Jones over Quentin. Better yet, keep Konerko and Cabrera and go with only two catchers, leaving Russell Martin off the roster (SIDEBAR: Who did Martin blow to “earn” a spot on the AL roster??? He’s batting .219! Cleveland’s Carlos Santana’s whopping .224 average is better with more home runs and RBI and he didn’t get a second thought. His shit average has to be second only to Jason Varitek in 2008 at .218, and he was far undeserving an All-Star nod.). Besides it would be interesting to see both catchers representing the same team.
Odds of Martinez Winning Final Vote: 5/1. It’s going to be hard for him to pass Konerko. Now if someone pulls a Jeff Gillooly on Martin, then he’s a shoe-in.
Ben Zobrist, 2B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Is this a joke? If Zobrist is in the top five players who didn’t make the All-Star Team the Final Vote needs to be four from each league. His .256/9/40 are on par with Aaron Hill or Ian Kinsler, and neither one of them are remotely deserving. The Royals Chris Getz would have been a better option for the final spot in the American League.
Odds of Zobrist Winning Final Vote: 250/1. I’m not saying its completely impossible, but the odds that it’ll be a Royals/Nationals World Series is more likely.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Andre Ethier, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Ethier started the season red hot but has cooled over the past couple months. He still is clutch and is a great defender. His .317 average near the break is still nice, so he’s not a stretch of a pick.
The Dodgers lone representative is Clayton Kershaw, and he’s more deserving than Ethier. Also looking at the outfielders who are reserves, there’s really no one less deserving than Ethier.
Odds of Either Winning Final Vote: 10/1. He’s not the sexiest candidate, but the Dodgers have a strong fan base regardless if their ownership is a shit show and no one arrives at the game until the third inning. If Alyssa Milano spends the next two days voting, he might have a chance.
Todd Helton, 1B, Colorado Rockies
At 37 Helton is having a real strong season, especially after his 2010 abomination. His .319/9/39 definitely deserved consideration as an All-Star reserve.
The Rockies are another team with only one representative, and Troy Tulowitzki definitely deserved it. First base is also real deep with Joey Votto as the backup and Lance Berkman also able to play first base.
Odds of Helton Winning Final Vote: 20/1. He’s a nice pick, but I think Ryan Howard was a more deserving candidate (no a*holes, I’m not being a homer, wait until I get to Victorino).
Ian Kennedy, P, Arizona Diamondbacks
I don’t understand why a pitcher would remotely get any consideration for the Final Vote. If anything it had to be a favor to the city of Phoenix since they are the hosting team. If they were looking to throw the Diamondbacks a bone, Miguel Montero or Chris Young would have been a much better option.
Odds of Kennedy Winning Final Vote: 100/1. Sorry D-Backs fans, Kennedy has no shot here. A pitcher shouldn’t be an option, but proves more how stupid the Final Vote is. Even if Major League Baseball wanted to include a pitcher, his stats aren’t bad, but their not even the best on his team, no less All-Star worthy.
Michael Morse, 1B/OF, Washington NationalsMorse is having a great season (.299/15/46), on a Nationals team that can’t get their shit together. I haven’t seen a ton of him live, mostly box scores, but when he played the Phillies, I was impressed with what I saw.
The Nationals lone representative is Tyler Clippard, who is having a good season for a relief pitcher, but just like Aaron Crow of the Royals it’s hard to justify (and I’m bitter the Phillies Antonio Bastardo, who’s numbers are better than both these pitchers didn’t make it). With Ryan Zimmerman being injured most of the year and Jayson Werth(less), shitting the bed; the best option would have been Morse.
Odds of Morse Winning Final Vote: 75/1. This is my personal pick and I’d love to see him win, but Washington has a fan base like Kansas City, so barring a 48-hour grass roots campaign it’ll never happen.
Shane Victorino, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
Victorino was the winner of the Final Vote last year and despite missing some time due to injury he is currently the National League leader. Victorino is pulling together another strong season in Philadelphia (.303/9/34) so it is hard to argue. While it’s better than that scrub Zobrist in Tampa, I don’t feel Victorino is the best choice for this spot.
If they wanted to add a Phillies player in the mix, I would have gone with Ryan Howard. While his average is lacking (but a ton better then Russell Martin), he’s in the Top 5 in home runs, and second in RBI’s. When a game is on the line (and since the All-Star Game does have meaning), I’d rather see Howard up there than Victorino.
Odds of Victorino Winning Final Vote: 2/1. The push here in Philadelphia for Victorino to win the Final Vote is insane. Outside of contests, I have friends who have spending half their day voting (I’m sure their bosses are happy about that), so I see it as inevitable. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big Flyin’ Hawaiian fan. I just think there are better options (Michael Morse).
So there it is. Go out an stuff the ballot box if you want, but I’d prefer if you did what I’m doing and boycotting it. Maybe if enough people do they’ll realize it’s stupid, especially when the fans already vote in non-deserving starters.
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