NL All-Star Voting Update II

[bjm676]

For those that care...

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article...t=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

Finally, someone deserving of a start is in the lead. Abreu knocks out Griffey to take over the third OF spot. Eckstein is slowly catching up to Nomah.

 

Abreu makes his All-Star move

Cards continue to fly high in second week of balloting

 

Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu, whose monster May earned him National League Player of the Month honors, was a hit with All-Star voters this week. The Phillies outfielder rode a wave of more than 150,000 votes during the last seven days to vault ahead of Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. and into the No. 3 slot in National League outfield balloting totals, which were released on Tuesday by Major League Baseball.

The other probable starters for the July 12 game at Comerica Park in Detroit remain unchanged from last week. St. Louis has three balloting leaders -- first baseman Albert Pujols, center fielder Jim Edmonds and third baseman Scott Rolen.

 

New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran leads the outfield voting, and teammate Mike Piazza is leading at catcher. Jeff Kent of the Dodgers is in first place at second base, while Nomar Garciaparra of the Cubs is still No. 1 in shortstop voting.

 

Pujols, as he did last week, tops all National Leaguers in voting. The Cardinal slugger's support stands at 748,844 votes, which is the third-highest total overall behind David Ortiz of the Red Sox (958,811) and Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees (860,958).

 

The races are a long way from being decided. Already, 75 National League players have received 100,000 or more votes and 17 have garnered more than 300,000 votes. Last season, when fans set a record with 14.9 million votes cast, there were 59 players with at least 100,000 votes at this point and 15 with at least 300,000 votes.

 

No National Leaguer received more of a boost than Abreu, whose 156,122 votes for the week moved him ahead of Griffey by roughly 15,000 votes.

 

Griffey, who entered this year's campaign having received more All-Star votes than any player in history with 37,524,916, is bidding for a 13th All-Star appearance, trailing only Cal Ripken Jr. (17) and Rod Carew (15) for the overall lead.

 

Abreu hit .396 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs in May, and he drew 30 walks and scored 22 runs during the month. In one particularly impressive stretch, the Venezuelan slugger homered in nine of 10 games during a 13-game hitting streak. The Phillies, after a slow start, have been one of the hottest teams in baseball recently.

 

NL All-Star balloting update

Pos. Current leader Team

1B Pujols, A. Cardinals

2B Kent, J. Dodgers

SS Garciaparra, N. Cubs

3B Rolen, S. Cardinals

C Piazza, M. Mets

OF Beltran, C. Mets

OF Edmonds, J. Cardinals

OF Abreu, B. Phillies

Complete NL results »

Complete AL results »

 

The Phillies slugger was not the only All-Star candidate who moved up.

 

Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis moved into fourth place in what is shaping up as a very tight shortstop race.

 

Garciaparra, on the disabled list with a torn groin muscle, saw his margin over the Cardinals' David Eckstein shrink to just 16,937 votes. Eckstein, who led Rafael Furcal by only 49 votes last week, is now 26,349 ahead of the Atlanta shortstop, while Izturis is within 35,000 votes of Eckstein.

 

Pujols maintained his 300,000-vote lead over Derrek Lee of the Cubs, while Kent widened his lead over former teammate Craig Biggio to approximately 185,000 votes. Biggio's lead over Mark Grudzielanek of St. Louis is fewer than 50,000 votes.

 

Even though he's on the disabled list, Rolen padded his lead over Chipper Jones by some 40,000 votes and now enjoys a margin of roughly 156,000 over the Atlanta star, who himself was placed on the DL on Monday.

 

Fans can cast their votes up to 25 times with the Ameriquest All-Star Online Ballot, which is available exclusively at MLB.com and all 30 club sites. Ballots also are being punched at each Major League ballpark. Online balloting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 30.

 

From July 3-6, fans will once again be able to participate in the Ameriquest All-Star Final Vote, which determines the final position player for each League's 32-man roster. Abreu won the NL Final Vote last year.

 

VOTE NOW: English | Spanish | Japanese

 

Results as of June 6: 1st Base

Player Name Team Total Votes

1. Pujols, A. Cardinals 748,844

2. Lee, D. Cubs 435,404

3. Mientkiewicz, D. Mets 230,181

4. Bagwell, J. Astros 158,899

5. Delgado, C. Marlins 138,557

 

 

2nd Base

Player Name Team Total Votes

1. Kent, J. Dodgers 506,272

2. Biggio, C. Astros 322,126

3. Grudzielanek, M. Cardinals 274,467

4. Giles, M. Braves 237,635

5. Walker, T. Cubs 190,031

 

 

Shortstop

Player Name Team Total Votes

1. Garciaparra, N. Cubs 312,892

2. Eckstein, D. Cardinals 295,955

3. Furcal, R. Braves 269,606

4. Izturis, C. Dodgers 260,683

5. Barmes, C. Rockies 257,818

 

 

3rd Base

Player Name Team Total Votes

1. Rolen, S. Cardinals 539,087

2. Jones, C. Braves 383,083

3. Glaus, T. Diamondbacks 306,062

4. Ramirez, A. Cubs 282,109

5. Wright, D. Mets 216,265

 

 

Catcher

Player Name Team Total Votes

1. Piazza, M. Mets 579,502

2. Lo Duca, P. Marlins 378,213

3. Estrada, J. Braves 215,774

4. Molina, Y. Cardinals 208,480

5. Hernandez, R. Padres 195,088

 

 

Outfield

Player Name Team Total Votes

1. Beltran, C. Mets 672,050

2. Edmonds, J. Cardinals 546,739

3. Abreu, B. Phillies 376,338

4. Griffey Jr., K. Reds 360,947

5. Cabrera, M. Marlins 336,634

6. Walker, L. Cardinals 302,627

7. Jones, A. Braves 280,204

8. Floyd, C. Mets 274,495

9. Bradley, M. Dodgers 261,545

10. Burrell, P. Phillies 203,981

11. Drew, J. Dodgers 195,384

12. Patterson, C. Cubs 191,942

13. Sanders, R. Cardinals 183,288

14. Dunn, A. Reds 182,342

15. Bonds, B. Giants 170,748

[Milkman delivers]

I'm still really tired of seeing Piazza in the All-star game. He hasn't been good for years...and he's just about the worst catcher in baseball.

[WilliamTell]

Griffey still pulling in at 4. He's not as popular as he once was, but it's cool to see that he still is getting a lot of votes.

[witesoxfan]

Griffey still pulling in at 4. He's not as popular as he once was, but it's cool to see that he still is getting a lot of votes.

 

No it's not

[ChWRoCk2]

Heres my lineup for national league:

 

C Piazza

1B Lee

2B Kent

3B David Wright

SS Furcal

OF Bobby Abreu

OF Carlos Lee

OF Miguel Cabrera

 

Bn Ramon Hernandez

Bn Pujols

Bn Biggio

Bn Vizquel

Bn Glaus

Bn B Giles

Bn Milton Bradley

Bn Jose Guillen

[Milkman delivers]

Heres my lineup for national league:

 

C Piazza

1B Lee

2B Kent

3B David Wright

SS Furcal

OF Bobby Abreu

OF Carlos Lee

OF Miguel Cabrera

 

Bn Ramon Hernandez

Bn Pujols

Bn Biggio

Bn Vizquel

Bn Glaus

Bn B Giles

Bn Milton Bradley

Bn Jose Guillen

 

Why is Piazza starting in anyone's mind? He's not nearly as good offensively as he used to be and he's a terrible catcher.

[WilliamTell]

No it's not

 

Yeah it is, he deserves to be in it more than a lot of guys that right now would be in it.

[Milkman delivers]

Yeah it is, he deserves to be in it more than a lot of guys that right now would be in it.

 

His numbers don't make him an all-star at all. The All-Star Game now actually means something. So, it's idiotic to let fans choose undeserving players. They should also get rid of that rule that says each team must have a representative. There should be a system where players, coaches, GM's, writers, etc. choose the players that are actually the best.

[Kalapse]

My NL All-Star Team as of June 7th:

 

C Ramon Hernandez

1B Derek Lee

2B Jeff Kent

3B David Wright

SS Clint Barmes (injury substitute: Jimmy Rollins)

OF Bobby Abreu

OF Carlos Lee

OF Miguel Cabrera

[WilliamTell]

It's been a fans game, it'll always be a fans game.

[qwerty]

It's been a fans game, it'll always be a fans game.

 

People should not be able to vote for home field advantage. Here is a thought... don't have the winner of the damn all star game decide home field advatage.

[Dam8610]

My NL All-Star Team as of June 7th:

 

C Ramon Hernandez

1B Derek Lee

2B Jeff Kent

3B David Wright

SS Clint Barmes (injury substitute: Jimmy Rollins)

OF Bobby Abreu

OF Carlos Lee

OF Miguel Cabrera

 

That's a lineup we'll never see, because it's a deserving lineup.

[SuperSteve]

I won't watch it.

[YASNY]

Good stuff from Paul Ladewski:

 

Seriously, Sox fans, get out and vote

 

 

Friday, June 10, 2005

 

 

 

As the baseball tubeheads have told us time and again the last three seasons, the All-Star Game really counts now that homefield advantage in the World Series goes to the winner. But for the South Side, there may never be one that means more than the one to be played in Detroit next month.

 

So now is the time for all good Sox fans to do their part.

 

Which is to say, vote as often as possible for the absolute worst, most putrid, most dogawful, most roadkill-stinkin' National League lineup possible from among the names on the ballot.

 

Yeah, I can hear the purists already. You can't vote for only the Triple-A guys! It's not in the spirit of the game! It's not fair!

 

Sorry, but what's fair about a sport in which one team can outspend another by the Cuba national budget? When a team hasn't been to a World Series in 46 years, there is no such thing as fair anymore.

 

There is no rule that prevents it. Fans are allowed to vote as often as they like either at the ballpark or online, the only restriction being no more than 25 votes per e-mail address. Or about as many times as the average dead person votes in a Chicago political election.

 

Mind you, this isn't the first time that something like this has been done. In 1957, Cincinnati stuffed the ballot box to such an extent that seven Redlegs were selected as National League starters. Commissioner Ford Frick overturned the vote, but don't worry. If Bud Selig allowed an All-Star Game to finish in a tie not long ago, think the commish would step in if Cristian Guzman received a million votes out of nowhere?

 

Actually, a lot of good can come of this. The vast majority of All-Stars would rather mistake BenGay for Cruex than spend their vacation at a lousy All-Star Game, let alone one played in downtown Detroit. On the other hand, career journeymen would be tickled pink to receive such an honor.

 

Heck, I bet they would even stay for the whole game!

 

First, Sox fans, a few words of caution: Do not vote for any player who currently has a major injury, is in the minor leagues or is unemployed no matter how pathetic he may be at the moment. In those cases, they will be replaced by somebody who is reasonably healthy and talented, which is exactly what you don't want here.

 

Also, do not mass-punch ballots, because they'll be voided. Don't worry, though, because there are plenty of candidates to mix and match.

 

Now this is what the official White Sox fans' National League All-Star ballot should look like (statistics through Wednesday's games):

 

First base: Doug Mientkiewicz, New York Mets. As Sox fans remember, it was Mientkiewicz (.205 batting average, 7 home runs, 20 RBI) who once said the All-Star Game should be pulled from U.S. Cellular Field and played somewhere else. What better payback than to stick him with the modern Charlie Brown All-Stars?

 

The Philadelphia Phillies' Jim Thome (.203, 3, 19) can't hit a beachball with an oar this season, but personally, I don't trust him in a big game.

 

(Warning: Do not — repeat do not — vote for Sean Casey (.319, 3, 25), Carlos Delgado (.320, 12, 42), Nick Johnson (.343, 8, 35), Derrek Lee (.378, 17, 52) or Albert Pujols (.330, 14, 47) under any circumstances.)

 

Second base: Junior Spivey, Milwaukee Brewers. Spivey (.235, 5, 17) or the New York Mets' Kaz Matsui (.246, 3, 21)? All I can say is, it's a shame Sox fans can't vote for the pitchers, too.

 

(Pretend that Luis Castillo (.313, 0, 8), Craig Counsell (.294, 3, 20), Mark Grudzielanek (.319, 3, 26) and Jeff Kent (.282, 12, 49) play in the Pacific Coast League right now.)

 

Shortstop: Guzman, Washington Nationals. The Brewers' J.J. Hardy (.182, 0, 11) has been a near-automatic out in his rookie season, but the catch is, he figures to be sent back to the minor leagues soon. Better to punch in the veteran Guzman (.191, 1, 8) — then hire a limo to make sure he arrives at Comerica Park on time.

 

(Never heard of David Eckstein (.311, 2, 19), Cesar Izturis (.310, 1, 20), Felipe Lopez (.299, 8, 27) and Omar Vizquel (.290, 0, 16), right?)

 

Third base: Mike Lowell, Florida Marlins. I wonder if this guy will hit .217 with two taters and 20 ribbies much longer, but he's simply too bad to overlook.

 

Besides, this team can use a cleanup hitter.

 

(Edgardo Alfonzo (.313, 2, 28), Morgan Ensberg (.288, 12, 31), Joe Randa (.297, 8, 33) and David Wright (.303, 9, 32) who?)

 

Catcher: J.D. Closser, Colorado Rockies. Do you choose the worst pick in the rookie Closser (.190, 2, 12) or the safe pick in Brad Ausmus (.229, 1, 14), the Houston Astros' veteran out-maker? The Rocks insist Closser will stay and play awhile, so take the untested kid.

 

(Johnny Estrada (.282, 2, 26), Ramon Hernandez (.288, 6, 31) and Paul Lo Duca (.284, 2, 21) should be considered under no circumstances.)

 

Outfield: Marquis Grissom, San Francisco Giants, Todd Hollandsworth, Cubs, and Dustan Mohr, Colorado Rockies. Grissom (.203, 2, 14) and Mohr (.213, 4, 11) are gimmes. It's a near dead heat between Hollandsworth (.231, 1, 12) and the Atlanta Braves' Brian Jordan (.231, 2, 19) for the third spot, but what's an All-Star Game without a Cubs starter, right?

 

(Don't dare give these guys a thought: Bobby Abreu (.327, 15, 44), Pat Burrell (.314, 10, 47), Miguel Cabrera (.335, 10, 35), Brian Clark (.329, 6, 25), Cliff Floyd (.289, 14, 39), Luis Gonzalez (.309, 9, 38) and Carlos Lee (.291, 15, 55).)

 

Now vote early and often, Sox fans. Morning, noon and night. Punch 'til you're drunk. Remember, the World Series you save four months from now may be your own.

[NUKE_CLEVELAND]

I wonder if all the morons voting for Nomaaaaaaah ever realize he's hurt and out for the season.

[DukeNukeEm]

I wonder if all the morons voting for Nomaaaaaaah ever realize he's hurt and out for the season.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Whats going to happen when he wins?

 

Is he gonna show up with shredded balls to the ASG?

[Kalapse]

Whats going to happen when he wins?

 

Is he gonna show up with shredded balls to the ASG?

He'll be there and he'll be announced with the starters but he won't play. Who ever is the backup to him in the AS Game will start at short.

[SnB]

Good stuff from Paul Ladewski:

brilliant.