All-Star Voting Process

[Minty Fresh]

I posted this in the other forum and would be interested in getting opinions from here as well.

There has been a lot of talk about the All-Star voting process and the results therof this year. Yes there is the eggregious example of Mauer v. Varitek, but it is just one of a littany of examples of what happens when important decisions like the deservedness of a player's appearance at an All-Star Game is left in the hands of the fans.

Here's what I think. This scenario assumes that the All-Star Game will continue to decide home-field advantage in the World Series.

Four Sets of Votes.

Why not allow the fans a vote? But also include a players' vote, a managers' vote and a baseball writers' vote. Wiegh each rank equally, assign a point system, and then some equity may be gained and the right players will go and not just the players of the teams that have more fans at the time.

Otherwise, what needs to happen is that the game needs to go back to being just an exhibition in which the outcome determines nothing but bragging rights for each league.

Other Factors:

1.) A free-agent who is interested in getting into the Hall of Fame (e.g. Soriano) may be more inclined to sign with Boston, New York (either), or Los Angeles (either) because he'll get more All-Star votes and get on more All-Star teams greatly increasing his chances of Hall recognition.

2.) Aren't player contracts incentive laiden with clauses that include All-Star appearances? Why should, then, a player's salary bonuses be decided by the jaded fans?

Discuss......

[natsfan7]

I agree....first post, woot!

[NatsAddict]

I'm all for eliminating the fan vote.  Idiots in Chicago and New York vote 25 times each or guys who have no business going to the game.  Great, a bunch of 12 year-olds, and adults acting like 12-year olds, picking the All-stars.

In the NL, only 2 (Pujols and Wright) of the top 10 in BA are in the starting lineup, and they are 9th and 10th, respectively.  At least Pujols is justifiable, but Wright arguably shouldn't even be a reserve - Cabrera and Sanchez both finished higher on the player votes.  Sanchez, Rolen and Cabrera all have stronger OPS and fielding averages; all, unlike Wright, can hit a curve, and none K's with Wright's alarming regularity, and none come close to Wright's pitiful BB/K ratio.  Most of the best OPS numbers are likewise not in the starting lineup, but went in on the player vote.  The NL's reserve lineup is better than it's starting lineup.

Also, once the fan voting gets eliminated, the each team gets one guy rule needs to go.  I guess all of KC is glued to their sets hoping to get a glimpse of Redman.