Can we finally talk about changing MLB's All-star voting?

[charlie and algernon]

This is utter BS. As long as it's so heavily weighted to fan voting, big market teams are ALWAYS going to dominate the rosters.

Chicago's Soriano (36 15 40 7 .283) is really better than Houston's Carlos Lee (41 19 65 4 .289)?

Chicago's Fukudome (56 6 34 8 .290) is really better than Philly's Pat Burrell (46 21 52 0 .275), or Pittsburgh's Jason Bay (59 16 44 6 .282)?



In the AL, Boston's Manny (49 16 53 1 .279) is really better than the White Sox's Jermaine Dye (51 19 51 3 .301)?

Yankee's Derek Jeter (48 4 35 5 .279) is really better than Texas' Michael Young (58 7 45 5 .288) or Detroit's Carlos Guillen (41 7 42 6 .295)?

David Ortiz (36 13 43 0 .252) is really better than Jim Thome (44 16 43 1 .228)?


Where's representation from the Rays? or the O's? God, imagine if it wasn't the NL VS. the Red Sox and Yankees.

[LynneSin]

1. The fans get the starting line-up the MLB gets the rest

this is a game for the fans so I think the voting is absolutely correct. All those players will have 1-2 innings and then the really true stars of the 2008 season will have the rest of the game.

[charlie and algernon]

3. but that's the thing, it's not just a game for the fans

this game determines home field advantage in the World Series.
Give me an NL lineup of
C -Russel Martin
1 - Lance Berkman
2 - Utely
3 - David Wright
ss - Hanly Ramirez
OF -Pat Burrell
OF -Carlos Lee
OF -Ryan Braun

and the NL might actually win one of these.

[LynneSin]

4. Look the folks the fans voted for only have to play an inning or two

then put in the heavy hitters.

[charlie and algernon]

5. Or this AL lineup

c- Joe Mauer
1 - Justin Mornaeu
2 - Ian Kinsler
3 - Alex Rodriguez
ss - Michael Young
OF - Jermaine Dye
OF - Josh Hamilton
OF - Grady Sizemore

[KitchenWitch]

9. Thank you! Love for the Doctor (Morneau that is!)

[SoxFan]

12. Kinsler over Pedroia? Nope.

I'd also go with Evan Longoria or Mike Lowell at third, simply because A-Rod is a world class douchenozzle.

[LoveMyCali]

36. The thing is

I think the players did a worse job than the fans this year picking the reserves. Miguel Tejada over Jose Reyes for the NL at short? What was it about Tejada that made him such an attractive pick, his steroid use or his mystery age?

[Blue_Tires]

2. personally, i'd just as soon ditch the game altogether...

[charlie and algernon]

6. or put it at the end of the season

Put it in a warm weather city in November, then the fans can vote in whoever they please.

[XNASA]

7. It's not just about offensive stats.

It is?

But, for the record, Soriano IS a much better ball player than El Caballo.

[KitchenWitch]

8. And my personal favorite - is Kevin Youkilis REALLY better than Justin Morneau?

x(x(x(

[SoxFan]

11. It's a close call

Youkilis doesn't put up gaudy home run numbers, but he has a good average, hits very well in the clutch, and is perhaps the best defensive outfielder in the American League (he didn't commit a single error at 1B last year). He can also play 3B, which was invaluable when Mike Lowell was injured earlier this year (Sean Casey took over at first).

[flvegan]

14. AND the outfield

A number of games a couple of years ago.

[SoxFan]

15. Forgot about that!

That makes me nervous, though. Youk is such a balls-to-the-wall player that a close encounter with an outfield wall is almost inevitable.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

23. If Youkilis played for Kansas City, no one would vote for him

That's what's funny about the all star shame nowadays.

[KitchenWitch]

28. Hear hear!

[SoxFan]

10. Those tiny hamlets of Chicago and Houston

Curses! Foiled again!

[charlie and algernon]

21. unfortunately in the MLB

Houston, San Fransisco, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami (Florida) are basically considered hamlets to TPTB in Boston and New York.

[leftofthedial]

13. No.

[flvegan]

16. I think Longoria (Rays) will get the Final Vote for the AL.

He deserves it.

[sniffa]

17. No way

Boston always wins the last man vote. Mike Lowell deserves it. :D

[flvegan]

19. I didn't see Lowell in the running.

[sniffa]

20. Write in campaign!

Boston must always win the last man ballot.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

24. That's because it's trendy now

Watch when the Cubs finally win in a few years....they all become Cubs fans and stuff the box for them.

[flvegan]

25. There are (I think) 7 Cubbies on the roster.

One more than the Sox.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

26. Oh yeah??? Well wait until the Pirates win......

....oh wait, that will NEVER happen. :(

[flvegan]

27. rofl

Right. How many Padres we got on there?

[crimsonblue]

18. the voting is completely worthless.

ONLY the managers should have a vote, and maybe throw in some baseball writers too. In a game that "counts", it is bullshit to let fan favorites start (or even be in the same city) in favor of more deserving players. Jason Veritek? Really? He's only having the worst year of his entire career.. and Skip Bayless on First Take said it was because of lifetime achievement... Well, WTF? Isn't that what the HOF is for? People may hate AJ Pierzynski, but he is far more deserving of the starting spot than is Veritek. Add this to the pile of why I hate MLB. Don't get me started on the BS of giving homefield advantage to winner of All-Star Game.. A team could limp into the playoffs with 72 wins and be the home team for the WS against a 100 game team. Fucking ridiculous.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

22. Stuffed by all the bandwagon fans

I don't even watch the damn thing anymore.

[CatholicEdHead]

29. Sure, just start the Twins starting lineup every year and I will be content

:D

[KitchenWitch]

31. Me too!

:D

[wain]

30. remember one of the first years of fan selection?

Cincinnati had 7 or 8 of the starting lineup. But, then, Cincinnati had a great team.

[Zavulon]

32. All-Star voting has always been a joke, but

please don't tell me you're one of those who believes every team should be represented. The only rule that pisses me off more is the DH.

[charlie and algernon]

33. no, of course not

I just want the right people to go, no matter what size market they play in. if Joe Schmo has better stats than marquee name from NYC, then I better see Mr. Schmo starting.

[Zavulon]

34. I'm with you there, just had to check.

That rule drives me up a fucking wall, especially since WS homefield now depends on it.

My attitude, actually: people should get one All-Star ballot for each game they attend in person. If NY supports their team better than KC does, they should get a little more juice - but the idea that anyone can vote as many times as they can hit the 'back' button on their browser is stupid.

If, however, we're really going to stick with the homefield idea, then the fans should be taken out of it entirely. I no longer have a favorite team because the Expos moved, but if Montreal had a team right now I'd be voting as many times as possible - for the best NL lineup available and the worst AL lineup possible. I wouldn't cast a single vote for a worthy AL player if I wanted homefield to go to the NL.

[charlie and algernon]

35. exactly

if you take out the homefield advantage aspect, then by all means, let the fans vote. Hell, I'd even be open to 1 reserve spot on each team go to a retiring player. But since we're stuck with homefield adv going to the winner, then limit voting to managers, owners, players, and a select group of sports writers.