In 183 career games, Milwaukee's Ryan Braun has 54 home runs, 155 runs batted in, and has batted just over .300. In 2008 alone, he has 20 homers, 55 RBI, and is batting .287.
So far this season, Kosuke Fukudome has only five home runs, 20 RBI, and is batting .296. Alfonso Soriano has 15 home runs and 40 RBI, along with a .283 average.
Despite this statistical dominance, Braun is still in fourth place in All-Star voting for National League outfielders. Soriano and Fukudome are first and second, respectively, with Ken Griffey Jr. separating the two Cubs from the Brewer.
Soriano is hopeful that his broken hand will be healthy enough for action by the All-Star Game. If that is the case, and Soriano gets the votes for the start, Bud Selig will have to revise the way the All-Star teams are selected.
He might consider letting people who know something about baseball choose the rosters.
It's great that Major League Baseball wants the fans to be involved, but the honor of being named an All Star shouldn't rest in the fans' hands.
First of all, decent players (Fukudome) and injured players (Soriano) on big-market teams like the Cubs will always get the nod over great players (Braun) who play for the smallest of all small markets, like the Brewers, even though Braun has clearly outplayed Soriano at the plate.
It's also important to have the best team possible on the field for the All-Star Game because of the home-field advantage for the Fall Classic is decided by this exhibition game; a ploy the commissioner thought up after the 2002 All-Star debacle.
If Cubs fans are thinking about a World Series this year want home-field advantage, they better vote for the best available players to play this summer.
Even if that means voting in a division rival over one of their own. The Cubs’ fans should understand that Ryan Braun is the best option for the National League team in left field, and it's not even close.
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3 months ago
I agree, the fans have done a pretty bad job lately on choosing the right all stars. Something has to be changed
3 months ago
Maybe that why the AL has won so many in a row; everybody wants the Cubs and Mets on the team when they aren't good.
Being in Milwaukee myself, I'm amazed that Braun isn't No. 1; it's been a popularity contest for years. Fukudome, are you kidding me. Griffey WAS good, but doesn't have the numbers this year. Let the players and coaches from all 30 teams decide and base it on a point system.
Bud has done many good things for Major League Baseball, but he needs to realize that van voting is a bad idea. You're right, the best players need to be on the field, not just the popular ones.
from 3 months ago
i don't really have a problem with griffey. using the all star game as a career achievement award of sorts is fine by me. that's the way it happened in cal ripken jr's last year. he even got a ball put on a tee for him so he could hit one out in his last game. don't look for that to happen though, because this year...it counts (give me a break on that too)
3 months ago
Get off your butt and vote. I got a 100votes in for Braun by just telling a few friends to vote. You can do it 25 times per person
from 3 months ago
the problem is for every 25 votes my person is allowed, 5 more cubs fans are allowed 25 votes. the sheer volume of cubs, yankees, red sox fans outweigh the loyalty and dedication of brewers, rays, and marlins fans
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