There are a lot of things I do not like about the Major League All-Star Game, but the Final Vote is a feature that is growing on me. Any one of the players on the ballot would be a quality addition to the All-Star roster, so there is no bad decision. It is almost a fool proof way to involve the fans.
And sometimes, that Final Vote can be a very tough decision. That’s the case this year on the National League side. I’ve narrowed my decision to Bryce Harper or Chipper Jones, and between the two I am not sure which one to pick. Harper is a rising star with one of the brightest futures in the game while Jones is a retiring Hall of Fame candidate and one the brightest lights from a clouded era of the game. This is a battle between honoring the old and celebrating the new, between a veteran lifer and a kid just starting out, between a holdout from a previous generation and a player who will help carry the game into the future.
This vote is a wonderful example of the complex, tradition-laced, yet ever changing tapestry that is baseball. I love the fact that I get to make this choice, but I still have no idea which one to pick.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Iowa mounted a furious comeback in the second half of the game, but the Cubs’ fell one run short. They lost 13-12.
Tennessee – The Smokies were shut out by a score of 3-0.
Daytona – Daytona slipped down to third place with their 5-3 loss.
Peoria – The Chiefs were outscored 7-2 in this loss.
Boise – It took ten innings, but Boise lost 2-1.
Arizona – Arizona had to rally to do it, but with this 9-7 win they moved into a tie for first place.
Performances of the Day
Other Minor League Notes
Farm System Standings
AAA – Iowa Cubs : 34 – 50.
Pacific Coast League American Northern Division – Third Place: 19.0 Games Behind.
AA – Tennessee Smokies : 5-6
Southern League North Division – Third Place : 3.0 Game Behind
High A – Daytona Cubs : 6-5
Florida State League North Division – Third Place : 1.5 Games Behind
Low A – Peoria Chiefs : 3-7
Midwest League Eastern Division – Fourth Place : 3.0 Game Behind
Short-Season A – Boise Hawks : 6 – 11
Northwest League East Division – Third Place : 3.0 Games Behind
Rookie League – AZL Cubs : 8 – 2
Arizona Rookie League East – First Place (tie) : 0.0 Games Ahead