MLB All-Star Game 2012: Bryce Harper Urges Fans to Vote for Chipper Jones

Bryce Harper is one of five members of the National League's Final Vote for the 2012 All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

One of his competitors is 40-year-old Chipper Jones. Jones has made it known that he is retiring at the end of the season, and seeing him play in one last Midsummer Classic would be a nice treat for baseball fans.

While Harper obviously wants to be a part of the festivities, he has already gone on record saying (via IndyStar) "I'd vote for Chipper."

Amanda Comak of the Washington Times tweeted Harper's full comment:

"

Harper: "I think a Hall of Famer should be able to go to the All-Star game his last year. If I was going to vote, I’d go vote for Chip."

— Amanda Comak (@acomak) July 1, 2012"

Harper has shown great respect toward the game and his fellow players during his brief tenure in the majors. Prior to his recent statements regarding the Atlanta Braves great, Harper's best moment in the eyes of his peers was likely when he was the bigger man in the Mike Rizzo/Cole Hamels debacle that stemmed from Hamels' intentional beaning of the rookie.

Harper's respect for Jones and his accomplishments speaks volumes of the rookie's maturity, something that was in question when he was called up so early in his professional career.

There's no doubt that both players are deserving. While Harper's statistics don't resemble those that have played a full season, the excitement and spark he brings to the Washington Nationals warrant his selection.

He is currently hitting .274/.347/.475 with eight home runs and 22 RBI.

Jones' numbers are slightly better; he is hitting .291/.372/.450 with six home runs and 28 RBI.

The final vote will likely come down to Harper and Jones. Michael Bourn, Aaron Hill and David Freese don't appear to have a fighting chance at this point, but we'll just have to wait until this Thursday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline passes.