All-Star selections are silly for a variety of reasons that tie largely to the mid-season sample size and the vagaries of fan voting (particularly in the Internet age). But, the game, itself, and the process remain kind of fun in a weird way, so I’ve got no beef.
So long as you don’t tie any actual meaning or significance to it, mind you. Eh hem.
The first batch of voting for the Midsummer Classic was released today, and the NL results are mostly what you’d expect. A smattering of quality performers, fan favorites, and random players who play for teams in large markets.
But I couldn’t help but notice: not a single Chicago Cubs player appears in the top five at any position, or in the top 15 in the outfield.
CATCHER
1. Buster Posey, Giants: 1,275,956
2. Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 938,911
3. John Buck, Mets: 523,843
4. Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 313,574
5. Brian McCann, Braves: 285,600
FIRST BASE
1. Joey Votto, Reds: 1,044,742
2. Brandon Belt, Giants: 513,371
3. Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks: 473,513
4. Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers: 464,845
5. Freddie Freeman, Braves: 438,868
SECOND BASE
1. Brandon Phillips, Reds: 1,019,240
2. Marco Scutaro, Giants: 801,754
3. Chase Utley, Phillies: 524,219
4. Matt Carpenter, Cardinals: 439,239
5. Dan Uggla, Braves: 384,462
SHORTSTOP
1. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 1,025,844
2. Brandon Crawford, Giants: 668,140
3. Jean Segura, Brewers: 554,403
4. Andrelton Simmons, Braves: 372,844
5. Pete Kozma, Cardinals: 311,852
THIRD BASE
1. Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,094,475
2. David Wright, Mets: 967,299
3. Chris Johnson, Braves: 386,811
4. David Freese, Cardinals: 375,428
5. Todd Frazier, Reds: 343,201
OUTFIELD
1. Justin Upton, Braves: 1,184,249
2. Bryce Harper, Nationals: 1,182,532
3. Ryan Braun, Brewers: 945,665
4. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals: 847,924
5. Shin-Soo Choo, Reds: 743,755
6. Hunter Pence, Giants: 624,972
7. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: 576,201
8. Angel Pagan, Giants: 572,400
9. Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 491,629
10. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 482,719
11. Gregor Blanco, Giants: 475,662
12. Carlos Gomez, Brewers: 472,272
13. B.J. Upton, Braves: 420,104
14. Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 389,372
15. Jay Bruce, Reds: 374,852
Given the Cubs’ rough start on the offensive side, particularly among the guys likely to garner All-Star level attention, I can’t say I’m surprised at the lack of Cubs. Then again, in what basically amounts to a popularity contest, it’s sad to see Cubs fans so woefully underrepresented. I’m not advocating stuffing the ballot boxes for undeserving players, but, well, these things are more fun when the Cubs are involved (and not merely the league-mandated one-player-per-team variety). Derek Jeter is the fifth-leading shortstop vote-getter in the AL for crying out loud. Say what you will about the Yankees, but their fans turn out the support – rational or otherwise.