12/21/24
June 27, 2003
This time it counts...: I guess. I'm kind of against on the whole "winner gets homefield advantage at the Series" thing. I think it was a kneejerk reaction by Selig after the tie last year. Voting closes on Wednesday, July 2!
So who are you voting for? Who won't make to the ASG it but should?
posted by jerseygirl to baseball at 09:54 AM - 13 comments
Actually... you will be pleasantly surprised. Here's the AL standings for 1st so far. Delgado, C. Blue Jays 589,638 Giambi, Ja. Yankees 419,506 Palmeiro, R. Rangers 288,910 Olerud, J. Mariners 208,157 Sweeney, M. Royals 206,130
posted by jerseygirl at 10:24 AM on June 27, 2003
Rather than using the All-Star game to decide home field, they should give it to the team in the World Series with the best record overall, and as a tiebreaker, the best record against common opponents.
posted by rcade at 10:27 AM on June 27, 2003
I do agree though Corpse. It's evident with Posada winning the catchers position so far. Plus... who the hell is voting for Jeremy Giambi for DH!?
posted by jerseygirl at 10:29 AM on June 27, 2003
Yeah, this is kind of a joke. I disagree with fan voting altogether. The idea that the fans know who's good is silly; the argument that the fans want to see the best players, that's silly too. The fans only think the best players are who the media tells them- including ESPN and its biased web gems and homerun montages- or who their dim-bulb local broadcasters mention. This is why players can keep coasting in without merit, because the fans are allowed to vote. Look, the only people I'd be *shocked* if they didn't make the ASG are the people who'd *never* not get picked anyway (Barry, Alex, etc). The rest are a wash, and usually just an example of manager or big-market bias. Player Team Total Votes Soriano, A. Yankees 881,865 Boone, B. Mariners 546,657 Soriano's having a good enough year, but not as good as people think- and Boone is killing pitchers so far. There should *not* be this kind of gulf in the voting, even if Soriano leads because of NY and his better year last year. As for this: Player Team Total Votes Rodriguez, A. Rangers 697,651 Garciaparra, N. Red Sox 499,798 Jeter, D. Yankees 301,597 Tejada, M. Athletics 144,026 Eckstein, D. Angels 132,020 While Nomar's outplayed A-Rod, it's understandable if Alex is selected to start while Nomar is invited (he'd better be!). We are seeing clearly now that early in in the top 3's careers, there was less distinction; but now Alex has pulled away from the pack, while Nomar is showing that, outside of his health problems, he's the 2nd best shortstop and one hell of a hitter, no questions. Sadly, Jeter has shown he doesn't belong at the position altogether. He'll make a great pinch-hitter someday (I hear he's really "clutch", so that's probably the best use of him. :) ). What will royally suck is if the trend of "the trio of great shortstops are invited" continues, even though that 'trio' is really a 'duet' (although that would prove stupidity is not limited to fans- that is the manager's choice): Alex is one-of-a-kind, Nomar is just this side of godlike, and Jeter's been mediocre or worse since '99. Derek Jeter is a modern day Phil Rizzuto; he'll probably even make the hall on the pinstripes alone, since nothing short of a miraculous career resurgence should allow him to even sniff the hall. Lastly: Player Team Total Votes Suzuki, I. Mariners 704,346 Ramirez, M. Red Sox 557,239 Hunter, T. Twins 487,987 Gonzalez, J. Rangers 372,850 Williams, B. Yankees 359,761 Anderson, G. Angels 327,336 Matsui, H. Yankees 302,508 While he won't (shouldn't) start, it's an example of that large-market bias and stupid fans that Matsui has, well, any votes. The guy's been a bust so far, a very average player. Maybe he's got a long term future if he adjusts, but right now, he's not an all-star by any stretch of the imagination.
posted by hincandenza at 11:29 AM on June 27, 2003
Well of course there's bias. Remember in the 70s when the Reds fans stuffed the ballot boxes and got 7 Reds in the starting lineup? Matsui's votes are probably coming from Japan. Same reason Suzuki has so damn many and will every year. They make the effort to go vote often. I'd point to Williams getting 359k votes as more of a joke than Matsui getting 302. While he did have his best career April, he cooled off and then got hurt. Matsui's not that bad... ever since he bottomed out and got demoted he's been hitting really well. And he's generally always good for a hit with runners in scoring position or at worst, a chopper to the right side that moves the runner over. (Hitting with risp is one of the Yankees biggest problems this year, they strand so many runners and hit into so many bases loaded double plays it's not even funny). Posada is generally accepted to be the best catcher these days, though I believe the Toronto tandem combined might be outhitting him. But noone (myself included) even knows their names, so obviously you won't see any votes for them. Posada is the only legit Yankee starter. Soriano is not putting up the numbers Boone has (so much for the one year wonder theory) but people don't notice it for some reason. I was shocked at the difference in all categories, especially OPS... especially since it seems like every time I see him, he gets a hit. Despite the low OPS (resulting from no walks), he's still pretty damn valuable though. Last time I looked at the voting (last week), I saw Sandy Alomar, Jr in 2nd or 3rd. He was one of the least deserving starters year after year back in the day, I didn't even know he was still in the league. His fan favorite status must still exist though. Is Pudge still winning among NL catchers? I don't even know how he's doing, but the past few years he still won in the AL despite falling off his game. Anyway, yeah, fan favorite status goes too far. They ought to let players and managers vote, especially if the game counts. They're mixing exhibition and competition, which I think is stupid. If you're doing it for the fans, don't make it count, and do make it so that every player gets in. Don't go half and half. I think making it count is stupid. If they're going to change the system, it ought to be based on interleague play - those games are more meaningful and are played and coached as such. But then again, I hate interleague too so I'd have a hard time endorsing that.
posted by Bernreuther at 01:13 PM on June 27, 2003
Why can't I find the balloting? The one bothering me is Sosa ahead of Pujols.
posted by yerfatma at 01:25 PM on June 27, 2003
My votes for the AL team:
- C : J.Posada (best INDIVIDUAL catcher in the AL....Toronto tandem of Wilson/Myers is better as a combo)
- 1B: C.Delgado (no one even close...MVP numbers)
- 2B: B.Boone (I'd pick Soriano if Boone was some journeyman having a fluke season, but 2001 showed he can do this, so he gets my vote)
- 3B: H.Blalock (the youngster has been great, but a late surge by fellow Canuck C.Koskie might sway my vote)
- SS: A.Rodriguez (yawn)
- OF: M.Ramirez, V.Wells, I.Suzuki (leaving off M.Mora, G.Anderson, A.Huff and M.Bradley was tough, but I think that's the best combination of power, speed, defence the AL has, and it's fun to watch Suzuki in action and the fans (not just Japanese) love him)
- SP: R.Halladay (doesn't seem like a fluke like E.Loaiza and is riding that 11 game win streak...M.Mulder, B.Zito, M.Mussina and G.Meche are good choices as well...P.Martinez hasn't pitched enough and T.Hudson hasn't won enough games to bump anyone above him)
posted by grum@work at 02:22 PM on June 27, 2003
I'd say the toughest question is who to bump in favor of the token guys. However, everyone on that list is having a good enough year so that it's not a big deal to put them on the team, as it has been in past years. Who do you take from a team like San Diego though? I don't even think I can name anyone on that team other than Hoffman and Klesko and Nevin...
posted by Bernreuther at 04:22 PM on June 27, 2003
also, I was going to say that I agreed with all of Grum's choices but the outfield, but this is just a bad year for outfielders... Without any in depth tracking of the NL, my guesses at who is deserving: C: Javy Lopez 1B: Todd Helton 2B: Jose Vidro (or the other Boone) SS: A Gonzalez (Marlins) 3B: Mike Lowell OF: Bonds, Pujols, Sheffield The only ones I knew off the top of my head were the outfielders and Lowell... had to go look up the stats for everything else. maybe I need to pay more attention to the NL. Who will be the pick from the Royals? Even though they're decent they might still have issues picking someone, since I can't tell you who's been playing well for them... Go with Sweeney as the default pick?
posted by Bernreuther at 04:33 PM on June 27, 2003
Remember in the 70s when the Reds fans stuffed the ballot boxes and got 7 Reds in the starting lineup? Speaking of which, I've been calculating how much time and money would be needed to have Michael Barrett start at C. Anyone want to help?
posted by qbert72 at 08:19 PM on June 27, 2003
he just got a vote from me...
posted by Bernreuther at 01:43 AM on June 28, 2003
Who do you take from a team like San Diego though? *cries* But then, I don't even know who's on the team any more.
posted by LionIndex at 01:45 PM on June 30, 2003
I hate hate hate hate fan balloting in all-star games. Larger market teams will always get more starters. Jason Giambi will probably start over Delgado this year. Just plain wrong.