Texas-Sized Offense: These Rangers Deserve Your Vote

The midsummer classic is fast approaching, with all the usual suspects lining up to take their familiar places in what will certainly be an event to remember: the final All-Star game played at Yankees Stadium.

Unfortunately, however, All-Star games have long been more of a popularity contest than an actual reward for players that have proven they deserve to be there.

With so many people around the country drawn to the idea of being a part of Yankees or Red Sox Nation, it doesn’t surprise me that as of this past Sunday, the leading vote getter for each fielding position was represented by one of the two.

Some of these players have proven themselves to be more than worthy of the acclaim; ask any pitcher who they’d rather face, and rest assured guys like David Ortiz or Alex Rodriguez will be the last names on their list. But others seem to survive on the mere prestige of the team they captain; Derek Jeter and Jason Varitek both come to mind.

Sorry Yankees fans, but four World Series titles, the last of which came almost a decade ago, does not warrant a player having a lifetime All-Star spot, especially not one who ranks outside the top three of everyday shortstops in every major offensive category, including runs, hits, HRs, RBI and batting average.

As for Varitek, he resides in an unbelievably similar situation, hitting a meager .257 and only ranking higher than eighth in one of those five previously listed categories among AL catchers. Jason is an unbelievable leader of the team he captains, argued by most to be the gel that holds the Red Sox locker room together. But to suggest that his on-field production warrants him even being an All-Star consideration is completely absurd.

I digress from this train of thought, however, knowing that the previous paragraph will undoubtedly spark a great deal of backlash. For it is not the purpose of this article to degrade the two most storied franchises in the sport, but rather to highlight a group of players whose greater contributions are overshadowed by the media’s lust for the respective Nations.

It just so happens that this particular group of players patrols the middle of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Who better than to headline this group than newly acquired Rangers OF Josh Hamilton. If you haven’t yet heard this young man’s incredible story, then you’ve been living under a rock since before Spring Training. Recently featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, the 27-year old was once a No. 1 overall pick, but battled a cocaine addiction he picked up after sustaining a number of injuries that kept him off the field.

Now, in what will be his first full season in the majors, the kid who sported a 96 MPH fastball out of high school is the first player to lead the AL in two of the three Triple Crown categories heading into the month of June since Manny Ramirez in 2001. (Teammate Milton Bradley currently leads the AL with a .340 BA)

The story of the season is that he is on pace for an astonishing 177 RBI, and has 15 more than the next closest major leaguer. But given the fact that the Rangers boast the worst ERA in the majors, it’s easy to see how a player’s accomplishments can be overlooked if his team doesn’t perform. Still, teammate Ian Kinsler hasn’t failed to notice Hamilton’s talent. Said Kinsler, “[he’s] the best baseball player to ever walk the planet.”

Ian is no stranger to success himself. In his third full season in the big leagues, Kinsler is finally becoming the player that allowed the Rangers to move Alfonso Soriano without so much as a blink. As of Tuesday June 9, Ian leads all AL second basemen with over 150 ABs in the following categories: runs scored, hits, HRs, RBI, slugging percentage, and BA.

In addition, he ranks second in doubles, triples, and stolen bases. The spark plug of the Rangers offense, Ian has yet to be caught stealing this season, and is on pace to shatter many of his career highs. For all of his troubles, he still trails Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia by more than 300,000 votes, a ridiculous margin considering Kinsler bests Pedroia in every offensive category.

Perhaps the biggest injustice lies in the fact that Michael Young trails Mr. Yankee by an astonishing 700,000 votes. I can understand wanting the final and most important piece of those '90s championships to have the chance to be honored by the Yankee faithful. But that feat can still be accomplished by bringing the captain into the game midway through, giving the fans an opportunity at the end of the game to pay their respects to an all-time great.

The truth of the matter is though, how many times can we continue to deny Michael Young because he plays for the AL West bottom-dwelling Rangers?  Young has 200+ hits in each of his last five seasons, a feat no other shortstop can claim. Young has averaged 92 RBI, 100 runs scored, and hit at a clip of .315 since the 2003 season, at one time the only bright spot on a team devoid of talent.

On past merit alone Michael would seem to be a perennial All-Star, but take a look at this year’s numbers and you’ll be stunned. Like Kinsler and Hamilton, Young leads his AL peers in runs scored, hits, total bases, and BA. A mark of consistency over his career, Michael deserves to be the starting SS for this year’s All-Star game.

With all the offense these three men have produced, it’s no wonder the Rangers lead the majors in runs scored. Imagine where this .500 team might be were it not for these three players.

While there are certainly miles to go before the Rangers will be able to contend for a championship, the top of their order can go a long way in bringing hope back to the fans of baseball in the Dallas area. Here’s to hoping that the rest of the baseball world will finally take notice.