Quick All-Star Thoughts

Above is my All-Star ballot. I vote based on who has the best numbers so far this season, which is how I think it should go. Plus, I naturally have a Mets bias, so I added Carlos Beltran when he doesn’t neccesarily deserve to be in. I voted for Jose Reyes too, but he deserves it on merit alone. 

I voted for a number of guys who are currently losing in voting but deserve to be in based on their 2011 performances thus far (after all, this is the 2011 All-Star Game). A few notable ones: Prince Fielder at 1B for the NL and Matt Kemp starting in the outfield. Kemp might be the best player in the majors so far this year. In the AL, I think it’s tough to argue against Alex Avila starting at catcher, and Miguel Cabrera starting at 1B.

Also funny - Justin Turner is an early-season Rookie of the Year candidate, but the ballot still has Brad Emaus for the Mets at 2B…

Frankly, the MLB All-Star game confuses me. On the one hand - it carries legitimate importance, with the winning league getting the home-field advantage in the World Series. On the other hand, fans consistently don’t vote in the best players (see Derek Jeter starting at shortstop for the AL). And, if I’m an American League playoff contender and the World Series is a legitimate possibility - why do I want Jeter starting in a game that actually matters, when Jhonny Peralta clearly has had the superior season?

To me, it’s fine that fans vote - it’s great. Just don’t have the game count, because the mixed message is unfair. Or, if the league is set on having the game count for something, don’t let the fans vote - have a committee or the managers select the best team. Just having it both ways doesn’t make too much sense.