Major League Baseball has released the updated balloting figures for the 79th All-Star game, which is to be played July 15th at Yankee Stadium. As a fantasy baseball maven who thinks he knows which players are most deserving of being called “All-Stars,” I have my strong opinions on the matter; and, as always, the voting public is getting some of the picks right and others very, very wrong. I voted again today in my small effort to right some of the injustices. Here is who I voted for, followed in parenthesis by the leading vote-getter at each position:
American League
C Joe Mauer, Twins (leader: Jason Varitek, Red Sox)
1B Justin Morneau, Twins (leader: Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox)
2B Ian Kinsler, Rangers (leader: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox)
SS Michael Young, Rangers (leader: Derek Jeter, Yankees)
3B Alex Rodriguez, Yankees (leader: Rodriguez)
OF Magglio Ordonez, Tigers (leader: Manny Ramirez, Red Sox)
OF Josh Hamilton, Rangers (leader: Hamilton)
OF B.J. Upton, Rays (leader: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners)
DH Hideki Matsui, Yankees (leader: David Ortiz, Red Sox)
National League
C Russ Martin, Dodgers (leader: Geovany Soto, Cubs)
1B Lance Berkman, Astros (leader: Berkman)
2B Chase Utley, Phillies (leader: Utley)
3B Chipper Jones, Braves (leader: Jones)
SS Hanley Ramirez, Marlins (leader: Ramirez)
OF Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals (leader: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs)
OF Nate McLouth, Pirates (leader: Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs)
OF Ryan Braun, Brewers (leader: Ken Griffey Jr., Reds)
I would never advocate taking the right to vote away from the fans, but I just wish there were ways to protect them from themselves and ensure the players who deserve to be at the game actually get the honor. If this were strictly a popularity contest, I wouldn’t care, but it isn’t; being an All-Star is supposed to mean something. I mean, really, aren’t there more than two teams in the American League? Not only is the Major League All-Star game easily the most compelling of the All-Star games, it actually counts for something because it has home field advantage in the World Series riding on it. Fans should take the balloting at least a little seriously. Do some homework, people!
In no particular order, the most glaring offenses in this year’s voting so far are: Fukudome, Varitek, Pedroia, and (I hate to say it) Griffey. If we could at least get those changed before the voting ends on July 2, I’d be satisfied. As I said before, I will keep you aprised of the changes in my ballot in the weeks ahead, but for now I would strongly encourage you to cast your online ballot.
Filed under: Baseball, Fantasy Baseball | Tagged: All-Star game, Baseball, Fantasy Baseball, sports
J Mauer: AB: 188 – AVG: .324 – HR: 1 – RBI: 23
J Varitek : AB: 160 – AVG: .269 – HR: 6 – RBI: 21
Are you sure you want to go there? Varitek has less at-bats and yet has 5 more HR’s and just two less RBI than your pick? Is it because Mauer has a better average? something that changes game after game?
What has Mauer done? Varitek has been behind the plate for two World Series wins and leads the league as the only catcher with 4 No-Hitters – does that not make him an All-Star caliber catcher?
You see, that’s the problem with the balloting. The criteria is so unclear. I vote for the player that deserves the honor for this year regardless of past accomplishment unless no one at the position is having a standout year, then I will factor in past accomplishment. Thus, Varitek’s World Series wins (a team thing, not an individual thing) and the no hitters he has caught (which obviously has more to do with the pitcher than the catcher) do not factor into my decision one bit. It’s not a great year for AL catchers, but voting for the guy who has been among the league leaders in hitting most of the season and has a giant, 55-point advantage over Varitek in that department seems reasonable. In fact, Mauer leads all AL catchers in at bats, hits, runs, walks, RBI, AVG, OBP, and OPS. Mauer is also one of the best defensive catchers in the game. And if we want to talk about past individual accomplishments, Mauer is the only catcher to ever lead the majors in hitting.
So let me get this straight…your only criteria for what makes an “All-Star” is how well they swing the bat and make contact? If that was the case, then why not just have a Home Run Derby and be done with it? What is the purpose of the actual game with all the defensive positions in place?
And as far as no-hitters being more the work of the pitcher than the catcher….if that is the case, why don’t more of the pitching greats have no-hitters? Why have the most recent come from rookie pitchers and average pitchers for Boston? Of course it could have nothing to do with the guy crouched behind home plate — for the last 4!
You clearly don’t get what I am saying. Like anyone who understands what the All-Star game is about, I primarily base my All-Star selections on production this year rather than past performance, popularity, or what team they play for. By that criteria, Mauer, who leads AL catchers in virtually every hitting category (including some I didn’t even mention in my last response) and is among the three or four best defensive catchers in the game (ask any scout) is absolutely the best choice. My decision has absolutely nothing to do with the number of no-hitters someone has caught. That’s a nice accomplishment and I never said Varitek was a non-factor in catching no-hitters, but it has no bearing on my ballot. I don’t think Jon Lester deserves to be an All-Star this year either and he’s the one who actually threw the only no-no this year.
I have Varitek on my fantasy team and he rides my bench behind Pierzynski for a reason. He’s not the best this year, period.
Another glaring offense: Derek Jeter. I have him on my fantasy team as well and he hasn’t come close to his past career numbers. But then, all I care about in fantasy baseball is offense and it’s possible their defense makes up for their lack of offense…I have trouble believing that’s true for Varitek though.