2011 MLB All-star voting update

[1990hornet]

MLB network just did an update on the AL All-Star voting and this is how it pans out at the moment:

1B: Teixeria, NYY

2B: Cano, NYY

3B: A. Rodriguez, NYY

SS: Jeter, NYY

C: Martin, NYY

OF:Granderson, NYY

OF: Bautista, TOR

OF: Hamilton, TEX

So out of the 8 fielding positions, the Yankees lead 6 of them including the entire infield. This is pathetic, if you haven't voted yet vote now and do it many times, I could not stand essentially cheering the Yankees in the All-Star game.

If I find the NL voting I will post it. EDIT: Found it:

C: Buster Posey, SF (injured, so by default, Brian McCann, ATL, is leading)

1B: Albert Pujols, STL

2B: Brandon Phillips, CIN

3B: Placido Polanco, PHI

SS: Troy Tulowitzki, COL

OF: Ryan Braun, MIL

OF: Matt Holliday, STL

OF: Lance Berkman, STL

[pcgd]

The Yankees, red sox, and to some extent the cardinals always get too many players because of those fan bases blatant homerism. (not all fans of those teams, just most)

NL looks pretty good this year minus Pujols.

[Seadragon76]

6 Yankees as possible starters?

This is why I am all for letting the coaches and players choose the All-Star teams. The coaches and players know who is having a good season and who isn't. The fans (for the most part) don't.

[1990hornet]

and those that do, sometimes don't vote that way and would rather vote their home team.

[OnWis97]

6 Yankees as possible starters?

This is why I am all for letting the coaches and players choose the All-Star teams. The coaches and players know who is having a good season and who isn't. The fans (for the most part) don't.

I agree. I've always felt that if it's supposed to be an honor, than the most deserving players should get in. Most feel that it's the fans' game and if the fans want to see all the yankees then they should. I happen to have a different philosophy. This philosophy is simple: I want to see the players that have earned it and there are other players worth seeing besides just the absolute household names. Many times I don't know much about a guy and it's nice to see him there and maybe learn a bit about him.

As for the fans, I tend to think there is rampant homerism anywhere. If any single Twin recieved even one single vote, it was because of homerism. The problem is that the casual fan sees "Pujols" and thinks "yeah, he's awesome" and does not even realize that Pujols is having a poor year. And the Yankees always have household names, as they go out and get them (and the fact that being a Yankee increases the extent to which one is a household name) so they'll also get votes from casual fans that just recognize the names.

My philosphy on this was cemented in 1989 when Jose Canseco (who had played in fewer than 10 games due to injury) and Mike Schmidt (who retired in May) finished atop their positions.

Yeah, it's the "fans' game", but don't forget about the fans that pay a lot of attention and want to see the right guys there. Let the coaches and players vote.

[FiddySicks]

Buster Posey. What could've been

Even though he's hurt, will he still get credit for being an All Star if he leads the voting by the time the game starts?

[NJTank]

Buster Posey. What could've been

Even though he's hurt, will he still get credit for being an All Star if he leads the voting by the time the game starts?

Yes he will get credit.

[JayJaxon]

Fans shouldn't be in charge of voting for the All-Star team. The coaching staff that has been picked by the league manager should do it.

[DrAwesomeberry]

Michael Young is in the lead for DH in the AL. We could potentially be looking at a starting 9 in the AL with players from only 3 teams.

[1990hornet]

One question...why doesn't Matt Joyce have any votes?

[Seadragon76]

One question...why doesn't Matt Joyce have any votes?

Because he's a real unknown player, I guess. To me, he has my vote because his stats have been pretty good in the outfield among the contenders in the American League. Plus, I would like to give someone on the Rays outside of their pitching staff a chance here.

Speaking of which, here are my votes for both leagues.

American League:

1B - Adrian Gonzalez (Boston)

2B - Howie Kendrick (Anaheim)

3B - Adrian Beltre (Texas)

SS - Asbdrubal Cabera (Cleveland)

C - Alex Avila (Detroit)

DH - David Ortiz (Boston)

OF - Jose Bautista (Toronto)

OF - Jacoby Ellsbury (Boston)

OF - Matt Joyce (Tampa Bay)

National League:

1B - Joey Votto (Cincinnati)

2B - Rickie Weeks (Milwaukee)

SS - Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado)

3B - Placido Polanco (Philadelphia)

C - Brian McCann (Atlanta)

OF - Ryan Braun (Milwaukee)

OF - Matt Kemp (Los Angeles)

OF - Mike Stanton (Florida)

[TBGKon]

Just because Joyce doesnt get votes for the starting lineup, doesnt mean he's not in the game. Players and coaches know good talent and will most likely let him in

[CubsFanBudMan]

I just pick all Cubs every year. Got a great squad this year. Kidding. This might be the first year I vote for absolutely no Cubs.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about an all-Yankee AL team. MLB has a way of getting the ballot box stuffed to sort out all but a few obvious errors. At least lately, it seems.

[Shumway]

One question...why doesn't Matt Joyce have any votes?

Because he's a real unknown player, I guess. To me, he has my vote because his stats have been pretty good in the outfield among the contenders in the American League. Plus, I would like to give someone on the Rays outside of their pitching staff a chance here.

Speaking of which, here are my votes for both leagues.

American League:

1B - Adrian Gonzalez (Boston)

2B - Howie Kendrick (Anaheim)

3B - Adrian Beltre (Texas)

SS - Asbdrubal Cabera (Cleveland)

C - Alex Avila (Detroit)

DH - David Ortiz (Boston)

OF - Jose Bautista (Toronto)

OF - Jacoby Ellsbury (Boston)

OF - Matt Joyce (Tampa Bay)

National League:

1B - Joey Votto (Cincinnati)

2B - Rickie Weeks (Milwaukee)

SS - Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado)

3B - Placido Polanco (Philadelphia)

C - Brian McCann (Atlanta)

OF - Ryan Braun (Milwaukee)

OF - Matt Kemp (Los Angeles)

OF - Mike Stanton (Florida)

Keep it up! While I have no issue with Cano starting the game, I really think Howie deserves to at least make the squad this year. Currently, he's not even in the top 5 in fan voting for 2B.

[BBTV]

It's the All Star game, not the All Guys Who Are Having A Good First Half Game.

ASG is so much easier to type than AGWAHAGFHG.

You don't have to play in a majority of games or be having a great season to be a star and play in an exhibition game. The fact that it "counts" is ludicrous.

[Eye]

It's the All Star game, not the All Guys Who Are Having A Good First Half Game.

ASG is so much easier to type than AGWAHAGFHG.

You don't have to play in a majority of games or be having a great season to be a star and play in an exhibition game. The fact that it "counts" is ludicrous.

But it should be the AGWAHAGFHG because it is for the 2011 season... The whole thing is stupid though because any time I want, I can watch guys from different cities thanks to technology.

[Dexter Morgan]

Jacoby Ellsbury's OPS is 150 points lower than Curtis Granderson's. Do you base your selections on batting average alone? and please explain Adrian Beltre.

[Dexter Morgan]

Here is my votes.

American League:

C - Alex Avila (Detroit)

1B - Miguel Cabrera (Detroit)

2B - Howie Kendrick (Anaheim)

3B - Alex Rodriguez (New York)

SS - Asbdrubal Cabera (Cleveland)

OF - Jose Bautista (Toronto)

OF - Curtis Granderson (New York)

OF - Matt Joyce (Tampa Bay)

DH - David Ortiz (Boston)

National League:

C - Brian McCann (Atlanta)

1B - Joey Votto (Cincinnati)

2B - Rickie Weeks (Milwaukee)

SS - Jose Reyes (New York)

3B - Ryan Roberts (Arizona)

OF - Ryan Braun (Milwaukee)

OF - Lance Berkman (St. Louis)

OF - Jay Bruce (Cincinnati)

[Saintsfan]

Personally I would have a committee of ex players, fans, coaches etc select the all star team, rather than just an open ballot, if you want it to be something that matters. That being said, its been picked by fan ballot for as long as anyone can remember (if not ever?) so it is what it is.

[crashcarson15]

If you're gonna make it count, be putting the best players out there. Plus, I have no desire to root for a team who's starting line-up is 2/3 Yankees.