All-Star Voting Injustices
The initial balloting for the 2012 All-Star Game was announced today and as usual the fans haven’t gotten it completely right. Luckily, there’s still time to fix this. Let’s band together and get some votes in for these players. I will heap some praise on the fans for having Albert Pujols 5th at American League 1st base.
Mark Teixiera over Paul Konerko
I can see the case for voting Prince Fielder into the #1 spot even though I think Paul Konerko should be in the top spot. Konerko isn’t even #2 though as Yankees 1st baseman Mark Teixeira has 26,000 more votes. It’s not like Konerko is playing in a small-market here. Konerko demolishes Teixeira in every single statistical category. Don’t let the Yankee fan base win this one.
Carlos Ruiz 4th at National League Catcher
I nearly spit out my drink when I saw this. Yadier Molina, Buster Posey, and Brian McCann are bigger names for sure, but Carlos Ruiz has been the best catcher in the game this season. Philadelphia fans need to band together and get Chooch some votes, it’s pretty embarassing. Ruiz would need to double his current votes to be in contention with Yadier Molina.
Adam Jones 5th at American League Outfield
I had Jones 3rd in the entire league in my “Too Early MLB Awards” at this point in the season. Jones is currently being hurt by the flood of Texas votes as he sits behind Nelson Cruz who has the last starter role and just ahead of David Murphy. ADAM JONES IS ONLY ONE SPOT AHEAD OF DAVID MURPHY, get on this Baltimore fans.
Carlos Gonzalez 13th and Giancarlo Stanton not in top 15 at National League Outfield
I don’t think either of these players will start or should start in the outfield, but where they’re currently placed is terrible. CarGo leads the NL in slugging percentage and has been on a tear. Stanton was the May Player of the Month for the Marlins, breaks scoreboards on grand slams and has continued to developed as a stud. Stanton isn’t even on the voting list. Jon Jay made the top 15! Jason Heyward is 7th! It doesn’t make sense. Braves fans if you’re going to vote, throw the support to Michael Bourn and Chipper Jones, not to Jason Heyward! Rockies and Marlins fans need to get out the vote for their outfield studs.
What’s your biggest All-Star vote transgression so far? I’m sure my fellow podcast host Jeremy Dorn is still searching the list for A.J. Ellis.
-Bryan Mapes (@IAmMapes)
Three Up, Three Down 
It’s the biggest ranger’s ballot stuffing screw job ever. Every player is in the top 5, most are the in the top 2. (counting outfield first 3 as first, next 3 second). The only player who isn’t is the top 2 is Moreland, come on man, Moreland?