Jeter, Cano and Teixeira among early all-star leaders
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on May 24, 2010 
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Here’s the bulk of the press release — minus all the sponsorship stuff — from Major League Baseball.
Reigning American League Most Valuable Player Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins is the top vote-getter in the first A.L. balloting figures for the 81st All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 13th at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The first National League All-Star balloting totals will be released tomorrow, Tuesday, May 25th.
Bidding for his fourth Midsummer Classic appearance and his third consecutive start, Mauer leads all American League players with 644,533 votes. He narrowly holds the overall lead over New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who has collected 639,227 as he vies for his 11th trip to the All-Star Game. Joining the Yankee captain among the A.L. leaders are teammates Mark Teixeira (396,034), who is ahead of Justin Morneau (258,225) of the Twins and Miguel Cabrera (242,039) of the Detroit Tigers at first base, and Robinson Cano (491,188), who is outpacing Dustin Pedroia (279,452) of the Boston Red Sox at second base. The only leading A.L. infielder who does not call Yankee Stadium home is Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who is looking to earn his third All-Star berth in his third Major League season, including his second straight election by fans. Longoria’s 541,253 votes rank first at the hot corner, trailed by New York’s Alex Rodriguez (411,655).
The A.L. outfield is led by Seattle Mariners nine-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki, who has drawn 366,903 votes to top all A.L. outfielders. Last year’s recipient of the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet, Tampa Bay’s Carl Crawford (319,953), is currently in line for his first fan-elected start and his fourth Midsummer Classic nod overall. Rounding out the A.L. outfield is Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz, whose 307,928 votes put him ahead of teammate Josh Hamilton (265,896). Cruz made his All-Star Game debut last year, while Hamilton has been a fan-elected starter in each of the last two years. Among the many outfielders in contention are Curtis Granderson (264,572) of the Yankees and Torii Hunter (230,036) of the host Angels. The designated hitter slot is currently held by Rangers eight-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero, who has garnered 374,333 votes. Guerrero’s closest competition is Angels slugger Hideki Matsui, who has received 298,487 votes.
The All-Star game is a sham.
The voting sure is.
Teixeira ought to be a man and not accept it if he is named to the All Star team. He has been a disgrace all season. I’d have a lot of respect for Mark if he wins the vote, then turns it down and gives it to someone else.
It’s the fans will, Eric. Should Teixieira win, he will not be the 1st undeserving player to go nor the last.
Good to see Cano out front.
they still play the all star game?
imagine if tex made it, but was hitting 223 at the time.
oy.
the announcers would be stumped to talk good about him.
tho he DOES have a bunch of ribbies
What if he has a hot month of June?
Should he turn down the ASG?
Then, I guess the answer is no. He certainly would not be the first undeserving player if he went to the game.
I think we should all just stop posting and agree that the Yankees stink and will miss the playoffs. Blog over!
I think Brett Gardner is doing fine for the Yanks, and can be star soon, or at least as close to a star as a player can be w/o 20 HR power.
A couple of things I would like to see him improve, though, to be an elite basestealer:
1 He doesn’t seem to read lefties very well. Elite basestealers often say they find it easier to read lefties b/c you can see what they are doing. Of course, most of them never went against Pettitte, but neither does Gardner.
2 He needs to be more confident and proficient about stealing third. With his speed, he should find third easier to steal-Rickey always said third was easier to steal if you had the speed. Gardner seems tentative about getting a good lead and jump from second base.
3 He needs to be able to go on any pitch, not just after being at first a bit and seeing the move. I am sure he has, but I don’t remember him stealing on the first pitch. If he is truly going to be serious about being a great basestealer, he should be studying all the pitchers all the time, to at least get a mental book on their moves, if not actual written notes.
He has the speed to be great, if he studies his craft, he can get there. Bear in mind, I don’t consider any of today’s players to be elite basestealers, though a few are close. I am talking about guys who studied it, thought about it all the time, and committed 100% to stealing. Guys like Rickey Henderson, Lou Brock, Vince Coleman, and Davey Lopes, among others.
Shame on Twins fans. Where’s the support of Morneau and his 1.200 OPS???
ray (sox fan) May 24th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Good day GB.
I didn’t have a chance to respond to your message last night. My children are grown up and I am divorced so I headed up here to Alaska solo, but I am having a great time.
My Sox seem to have a little bit of momentum going now, but that could change in a hurry facing Tampa Bay. I thought Tampa would be good this year but didn’t anticipate them being this good at least this far through the season.
As for your Yankees I have to believe that Tex will turn things around at the plate. I still think he was an excellent pick up for you guys and wish the Sox had been willing to go one extra mile to sign him. I think as much as any player he shifted the balance of power to you guys.
Ortiz is having a momentary lift in his production, but I would be willing to bet the house that the Sox don’t extend his option at the end of the year.
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afternoon, Ray. You should have rented a family to take with you…at least rent a wife. That’s great that you’re having a great time. Make sure to post your pix when you get back. What a great place to vacation.
Yeah, things have sort of flipped on the 2 teams, but, NYYs going to spend a lot of time against the lower ranked teams and playing at home, while Boston hits the road. Not sure what Teixeira’s trouble is, but, yeah, he’s way to good to have this go much further. I’m torn between Boston winning the Tampa games so NYYs get closer or Boston losing and falling further off the pace. Maybe a a Boston 2-1 series win would be best for NYYs. Enjoy your time up there and be safe on the road.
Now that the blog is over what will I do?
Mac, you and MTU are fast moving into the same “Revenge Against Randy” area. Randy quakes in his sandals at the very mention of my name. You’d better be nice or, I’ll open up with my best stuff against you.
Now that the blog is over what will I do?
—
I don’t know
If the announcers can find something good to say about Varitek being in the ASG, I’m sure they can find something swell about Teixeira.
Reigning American League Most Valuable Player Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins is the top vote-getter in the first A.L. balloting figures for the 81st All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 13th at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The first National League All-Star balloting totals will be released tomorrow, Tuesday, May 25th
Mark In Tampa.
Perfectly stated.
I was going to go on a GGBG rant, but you covered it all better than I could have.
Who’s leading as a Catcher?
I’ve been writing in Cervelli .
Patrick,
LOL. Post of the Day!! LOL
Let’s hope the spineless pinata of a Commissioner doesn’t make another dumb statement at the All Star game.
Now that the blog is over I can finally start working on my novel
Imagine if Tex makes the All-Star team?
The voting sure is a sham. I have the capability of voting at least 125 times using family e-mail addresses. It’s rather ridiculous and absolutely encourages ballot stuffing.
Also, it is clearly a popularity contest, otherwise they wouldn’t even start the voting until June 1st. It has absolutely nothing to do with what player is the best at his position anymore.
What if Tex has a hot start and is in the Top 5 in RBI, which he was a week ago?
The ASG is in Mid-July. Its late May.
Relax.
I meant hot “June”, not hot “start”.
Guys are voted into the game every year. That’s why its a sham and that’s why fans shouldn’t vote.
In the end, its a meaningless thing in the grand scheme of things.
“I have the capability of voting at least 125 times using family e-mail addresses.”
So that’s why this is your first post today.
I’m not sure if you’re directing that comment to me, but I don’t need to relax…….I just made a comment.
Maybe we can nominate Brett Gardner for the HR Derby
Mark -
Nah. I did do it last year, though. I figured, if they were going to let me vote that many times and I really wanted my favorites represented, then I should vote that many times, because you know there are people out there who definitely do.
But frankly, it was tiring.
So I did my twenty-five and called it a season.
The all-star game means something, its in the best interests of the fans to send the best players for their league.
Thats why I only vote by wRC+ and ngUZR
“That’s why its a sham and that’s why fans shouldn’t vote.”
Question is, who do you let vote. The players/managers have been every bit as inept as the fans when it comes to voting for these kinds of things.
If Tex makes it, he should politely decline.
A couple things…
1. Here’s an interesting comparison:
Joe Mauer: .346 AVG, .414 OBP, 21 RBI
Francisco Cervelli: .354 AVG, .426 OBP, 19 RBI
2. I’m surprised Cano is so far ahead of Pedroia at this point. Both are having great years, but I thought Pedroia was more nationally known based on his MVP.
3. I think it’s hilarious that the Angels won’t have a player voted into the ASG, and frankly, if it wasn’t for the “every team must be represented” rule, they wouldn’t have a single player at the festivties despite hosting the event. How embarrassing that would be.
who is leading as catcher? 09 MVP Joe Mauer!
Maybe we can nominate Brett Gardner for the HR Derby
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I am still waiting for Ichiro to do a HR derby.
Question is, who do you let vote. The players/managers have been every bit as inept as the fans when it comes to voting for these kinds of things.
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No vote, top 2 at each position by WAR/VORP/RC go in!
Pitchers selected by Manager from a pool with an xFIP cut off!
SJ
Fair enough but anyone who has so far voted for Tex has done it on popularity or Yankee loyalty and not for anything he has done on the baseball field this year.
“Question is, who do you let vote. The players/managers have been every bit as inept as the fans when it comes to voting for these kinds of things.”
Why vote at all? Just pick names out of a hat. Much more egalitarian!
“3. I think it’s hilarious that the Angels won’t have a player voted into the ASG, and frankly, if it wasn’t for the “every team must be represented” rule, they wouldn’t have a single player at the festivties despite hosting the event. How embarrassing that would be.”
Kendry Morales and Jered Weaver have acquitted themselves reasonably well, but beyond that they’ve got nuttin.
Billy D -
True. We’re all human.
But I’m not sure the ASG should mean anything. Since the voting is kind of a joke, it should be what it is, an exhibition game for the fans of the players they voted they’d like to see start together. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
The only way to be fair about it, is to have no voting at all and just go by the standard numbers (sorry, Jerkface, no +WRD or ugUZR – what’s the ug mean, btw?? –
) and whoever is the best at their position on July 1st gets to go. Or whoever was best at the end of last season. Whatever standard you want to choose.
“No vote, top 2 at each position by WAR/VORP/RC go in!
Pitchers selected by Manager from a pool with an xFIP cut off!”
This going to be in your book?
oops – +WRC, that is.
Tex is due to go off on a tear and Morneau is due to cool down (won’t bat .380+ all year). Based on that, I don’t think it’s a travesty to have Tex starting the ASG. The most important thing is to win, not reward players for having red hot Aprils. In July, I think Tex gives the AL the best chance to win based on offense and defense.
“Tex is due to go off on a tear and Morneau is due to cool down (won’t bat .380+ all year). Based on that, I don’t think it’s a travesty to have Tex starting the ASG”
True enough, but right now there are 3-4 guys between Teixeira and Morneau in the “he deserves to go” parade at first base.
(sorry this is a repost from the last thread because I didn’t realize a new thread had been started; it isn’t about the ASG but I did take a bit of time to think it out so I hope you don’t mind my repeating it here)
Chad, I haven?t read any of the day?s posts but instead just your lead ins. Thank you for taking the time to give the forum much-needed (IMO) perspective.
I think that most posters, well many posters anyway, would probably have been able to apply perspective themselves but for the fact that the ?wrong? end of the equation seemed to happen all at once and it most areas!
There are posters who were able to remove themselves far enough away from the immediate implosions that they could sort things out and bring out the same points you have brought out ? yes Joba was terrible on certain recent dates but he was very good before that and very good again since. And you also point out that bullpen inconsistency isn?t an unusual phenomenon. Add to it the Yankee injuries ? and who knows if players are coming back too soon just to try to help right the ship ? well then on paper you have a formula for here-and-now disaster.
To simplify the whole thing, because there is so much going wrong at this point in time, everyone is pressing. It?s a team effort if you will. Starting pitching is probably trying to be too fine and hitting is trying to get runs with one swing, and everyone is probably trying a little too hard ? and we always know the result when a player presses. Well when just about the whole team is doing it, everything is out of synch.
The magic is in how it actually comes back together. Maybe the return of injured players does more than just adds bats to the lineup. I think there is a psychological component there. It appears to me that as soon as the Sux knew that Ellsbury was just minor league assignments away from returning, everyone relaxed and things turned around.
I?m still not impressed or worried about the Sux. If the Yankees hadn?t seen their fortunes put on hold, it really wouldn?t have mattered what the Sux were doing. And as soon as the Yanks start to turn it around ? tomorrow night for example ? things will get back in the right direction.
GO RAYS!!!!!
I’m a diehard Yankee fan, and SOOO happy to see our Yankees high up in the voting. But this is the PROBLEM with the all-star game. I’m sorry, Tex and Granderson should NOT be that high up. It’s kinda of a disgrace. Sure, mark is probably the 3rd best first baseman in all of baseball, bes tin the American League, but he’s not having a good year. ANd curtis Granderson, he’s barely played.
Guys like Brett Gardner (if you’re going to choose guys from the Yankees) should be high on the ballot. Also Phil Hughes and Francisco Cervelli. Those are guys having great years. It should NOT be fan voted.
Ugh -Jerkface, I realize mangled those initials!!!! Sorry.
Tex and Jeter are still stars even if they’re not killing it yet.
It’s the All-Star game, not the Game of Statistical Qualifiers!
(no LOST questions, please)
Ugh -Jerkface, I realize mangled those initials!!!! Sorry
–
I made up some of them! Parts of some of them.
let’s vote for Wells, Alex Gonzalez, Jose Bautista, Jose Guillen, Wigginton, Podsednik, Konerko, etc….. I mean they have played like REAL superstars (unlike Tex, Pujols, A-Rod, Hanley and those other bums) for the past 6 weeks now!!!
Jerkface -
The Twins fans better start voting for their first basemen; I did.
I’ll vote for Tex when he gets his average above .250 and gets some key hits.
Cano, Gardner, Andy, Mo, and Phil are the only Yankees that I’ve voted for so far.
Jerkface May 24th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Ugh -Jerkface, I realize mangled those initials!!!! Sorry
?
I made up some of them! Parts of some of them.
*************
I would have never known
I still think Vorp sounds like a Star Trek term
new thread
Glad to see Robbie Cano topping the list for 2nd base.
That great April really got people looking.
Is this really a surprise to anyone? We all know that All-Star games are popularity contests in just about every sport. Once you make it once or twice, you start making it every year just because of the name on your jersey. Allen Iverson was voted to the NBA All-Star game after doing nothing all season. Yes, some player got screwed over because of Tex, but thats just how it works. Plenty of Yankees have gotten passed over in the past because there was someone more popular playing their position.
Thomas Robust May 24th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Glad to see Robbie Cano topping the list for 2nd base.
That great April really got people looking.
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Maybe somebody peeked at Pedroia’s .261 average, even though MLB and ESPN have been trying to hide it.
Things I THOUGHT I knew…
Jeter was old and had no range 3 years ago…
Tex stunk so bad last April, he would never rebound…
Arod was done after roid reveal and fake hip issue…
Hughes stunk in 2008 and could NEVER start…
Yanks 0-8 against sox meant they could NEVER compete for WS…
MO was washed…. up in 06,07,08,09…
Posada hates the whole team….
I proved myself wrong…
Now I believe Thames Winn Park are the anti christ, and the bats are dead…
My odds of being wrong are stronger than being right…I like the odds! Go Yanks!
stay or go
My GTLU Guess Tonight
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I don’t get it…..Teix should not even be in the running for 1st base….look at his numbers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Fans shouldnt have a say on starting line-ups for the all-star game, because NY always get em, even if they stink….Whiny pinstrips…..The only one that should be considered for 1st base is Miguel Cabrera, without question….Stop hyping up the Yankees, because for 100 years they have bought championships and made bad slump players into ALL-STARS………………God I hate the Yankees……………………