Quality Control: a Quick Study of the All-Star Final Vote

by U-God on Jul 7, 2011 12:01 PM CDT

Third time's the charm, right? (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

The All-Star Final Vote is ten years old now. Jesus, time goes by fast. If you haven't gotten around to it yet, you'd better hurry: voting ends today at 3 p.m. CT. This isn't going to be an article trying to convince anyone to vote for Paul Konerko. Anyone reading this site knows he's the most deserving candidate. Nope, this is going to be a look back at some weird trends that seem to have emerged over the decade that this tradition has existed. Did you realize that every team has had at least one nominee for the Final Vote except the Seattle Mariners? Even the Expos at least got their hat in the ring thanks to our old pal Orlando Cabrera. Or that in 2007, all ten candidates were pitchers? That's right, now that I've run out of opponent previews I've slipped back into over-analyzing even more meaningless things. I hope you enjoy the ride.

In a somewhat odd and surprising twist of fate, no team has had more representatives than our Chicago White Sox, who have had nine nominees: Magglio Ordonez in '02, Frank Thomas in '03 and '04, Paul Konerko in '04, '10 and '11, Scott Podsednik in '05, A.J. Pierzynski in '06, and Jermaine Dye in '08.

The Phillies have the lead in the National League with seven nominees: Bobby Abreu in '04 and '06, Billy Wagner and Brett Myers in '05, Pat Burrell in '08, and Shane Victorino in '09 and '11.

Three teams have had two candidates in the same season: the 2004 White Sox (Thomas and Konerko), the 2005 Yankees (Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui), and the 2005 Phillies (Wagner and Myers).

Paul Konerko and Billy Wagner are the only two players to have been nominated three times. Rather impressively, Wagner's three nods were all for different teams: the Phillies in '05, the Mets in '06, and the Braves in '10).

The Cincinnati Reds are the only team with a perfect record for election, as Joey Votto won the vote last year and has been their only representative.

The American League has sent five also-rans to the ASG as substitutes: Jason Giambi in '03, Francisco Liriano in '06, Carlos Pena and Chone Figgins in '09, and Paul Konerko in '10.

The National League has sent seven also-rans to the ASG as subs: Luis Castillo in '03, Billy Wagner in '05, Chris Capuano in '06, Roy Oswalt and Brandon Webb in '07, David Wright in '08, and Heath Bell in '10.

I really think MLB hates the Mariners. No A.L. pennant, no Final Vote candidates. Suck it Pacific Northwest.

The Red Sox have won the most Final Votes, having done so three times: Johnny Damon in '02, Jason Varitek in '03, and Hideki Okajima in '07.

The Brewers (Geoff Jenkins in '03, Corey Hart in '08), the White Sox (Podsednik in '05, Pierzynski in '06), the Yankees (Matsui in '04, Nick Swisher in '10), and the Phillies (Abreu in '04, Victorino in '09) are the only other teams to win multiple times.

Lew Ford of the 2004 A.L. ballot had the shortest and worst career of every player to ever appear on either league's ballot.

Nine left fielders have appeared on the ballot for the Junior Circuit, more than any other position. Only one short stop has ever been listed (Jeter in '05).

Starting pitcher is the top spot in the Senior Circuit, with eleven appearances. Luis Castillo in '03 is the only second baseman to ever have the honor.

So far only six positions have won the vote in the A.L.: center field (Damon), catcher (Varitek and Pierzynski), left field (Matsui and Podsednik), relief pitcher (Okajima), third base (Evan Longoria in '08 and Brandon Inge in '09), and right field (Swisher).

The N.L. has been even less democratic, only using five positions: center field (Andruw Jones in '02, Hart, and Victorino), left field (Jenkins), right field (Abreu), starting pitcher (Roy Oswalt in '05 and Chris Young in '07) and first base (Nomar Garciaparra in '06 and Votto).

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Comments

did you ever find out when they instituted each team having a mandatory all-star?

I’d guess it goes back to at least the 1969 expansion- when backstop Chris Cannizzaro made the team as the first Padre All-Star despite his .245 average and 23 RBI.

"A lot of misinformation," the source said.

by e-gus on Jul 7, 2011 12:15 PM CDT reply actions

Besides Yaz, he was the hardest-working player in baseball back then

Back then players were rewarded for that instead of having to deal with faceless blogger naysayers who point at sabermetrics goobity goo

It was then I realized vegans can’t be trusted

by Scotty Ballgame on Jul 7, 2011 2:14 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I signed up a new client yesterday who worked for the Red Sox radio guys 40 years ago.

He produced the baseball shows. Asked him who he helped set up for interview. “Yaz” was the first syllable out of his mouth.

by winningugly on Jul 7, 2011 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Somewhere, Hawk had an orgasm.

AJ Pierzynski: You have to want to catch.

by 2ndHalfAdjustments on Jul 7, 2011 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

You use RBI's to argue whether or not Cannizzaro was worthy

surely you jest!

by Rhubarb on Jul 7, 2011 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions

J5!

Lew Ford…lol

"Don't worry, I've got an idea. An idea so smart my head would explode if I even began to know what I was talking about..."

by Steve von Horn on Jul 7, 2011 12:41 PM CDT reply actions

OT, since we have no RRRR:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Dodgers-lose-bid-to-force-rb-2522670658.html;ylt=ApijFZMhtssQbh0N1z0KKB27YWsA;ylu=X3oDMTE1Y3Y5ZnRxBHBvcwM3BHNlYwN0b3BTdG9yaWVzBHNsawNkb2RnZXJzbG9zZWI-?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=4&asset=&ccode=

by winningugly on Jul 7, 2011 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

No RRRR?

I blame Joey Chestnut

It was then I realized vegans can’t be trusted

by Scotty Ballgame on Jul 7, 2011 1:56 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I'll make a RRRR

but i don’t want to step on any toes. My OT ramblings are getting backed up, one of these days I’m going to explode all over a game thread.

by Rhubarb on Jul 7, 2011 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions

where it be?

i dont think anyone will care.

"A lot of misinformation," the source said.

by e-gus on Jul 7, 2011 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

it still exists

just need to dig for it due to all the highly rec’ed FPs

Easy chief
We’re a community - Tdogg

by Jack M on Jul 7, 2011 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Looks like Dunn could take a lesson or two from Wagner about new team acclimation.

by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Jul 7, 2011 12:47 PM CDT reply actions

Wagner didnt have to acclimate to a new league

Duh

It was then I realized vegans can’t be trusted

by Scotty Ballgame on Jul 7, 2011 1:55 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I especially like his "Ride of the Valkyries".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V92OBNsQgxU

NOW LET’S PLAY SOME FUCKING BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by winningugly on Jul 7, 2011 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Say what you will about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude

but at least it’s an ethos

"A lot of misinformation," the source said.

by e-gus on Jul 7, 2011 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

its weird, i know but

knowing that PK deserves to be in the all star game, i wont be voting for him. thats not to say im voting for someone else, but that im abstaining with the hope that he makes it. my reasoning for abstaining is that i think he could probably do with the rest and lack of media attention. im sure this whole “paulstar” thing, while moderately clever, is putting some (more) unnecessary weight on his shoulders.

"I wonder if converting Peavy to a closer role would be best? Help keep him healthy and help solidify the pen a bit." - Bent Over Beckham

by BoeJouma on Jul 7, 2011 2:43 PM CDT reply actions

15 minutes left asshat

i don’t give a shit for your philosophical philandering

I'd just as soon never hear another word from that fluttering asswheel. - RWShow

by blackoutsox on Jul 7, 2011 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

hahaha

"I wonder if converting Peavy to a closer role would be best? Help keep him healthy and help solidify the pen a bit." - Bent Over Beckham

by BoeJouma on Jul 7, 2011 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions

This is such horseshit.

by winningugly on Jul 7, 2011 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

it's weird, i know but

knowing that PK deserves to be in the all star game… [I’m too lazy to do all of the clicking and trying to read the confirmation numbers and it’s] …putting some (more) necessary weight on… [my] …shoulders.

by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Jul 7, 2011 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

it's right near his 16,000 square ft house

he can show up for the game and then go relax at his 16,000 sq. ft house

signature

by billyok on Jul 7, 2011 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions

I figured they moved the game to his house

to protect everyone from possible duststorms

It was then I realized vegans can’t be trusted

by Scotty Ballgame on Jul 7, 2011 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

vote paulie now

I'd just as soon never hear another word from that fluttering asswheel. - RWShow

by blackoutsox on Jul 7, 2011 2:46 PM CDT reply actions

pierre lf vizquel 3b konerko 1b dunn dh rios cf prznski c ramirez ss teahen rf beckham 2b; humber v. pavano

by larry on Jul 7, 2011 2:55 PM CDT reply actions

We cannot have someone with an OBP >.300 in the #2 hole.

Ever. Again.

by winningugly on Jul 7, 2011 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry, Omar is at .309

and rising.

by winningugly on Jul 7, 2011 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I guess cleanup doesn't mean what it used to mean

signature

by billyok on Jul 7, 2011 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

sure it does, just follow it with "in aisle 4" or some such.

I love seasons too. That's why I live in a place that skips the shitty ones.

by thatshortkid on Jul 7, 2011 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs

Good one.

However, at least he’s not in the #3 hole.

by winningugly on Jul 7, 2011 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

dudes gonna smack a grand slam tonight

a 2 out shot though, as only beckham omar and kong will reach base on this occasion

"I wonder if converting Peavy to a closer role would be best? Help keep him healthy and help solidify the pen a bit." - Bent Over Beckham

by BoeJouma on Jul 7, 2011 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I like this

I'd just as soon never hear another word from that fluttering asswheel. - RWShow

by blackoutsox on Jul 7, 2011 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions

You never put the other teams pitcher in with our lineup...never!

We’ll see if its a good thing but it seems foreboding.

by Rhubarb on Jul 7, 2011 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions

good, my newly admitted pick to click for the forseeable future gets some action in right. quentin needs more rest anyway. has there been any news on what the "personal reasons" were for him needing a day off last week?

hope he’s ok. he’s been pretty terrible. only hit the ball out of the infield 32 times in the last month.

don’t forget, as of today i’m calling teahen.

"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck

by BuehrleMan on Jul 7, 2011 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

don't worry

I won’t let you forget it.

by Rhubarb on Jul 7, 2011 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

i'm not scared.

and if he fails i’ll just use the excuse, no matter how much playing time he gets, that he didn’t get enough playing time!

"michael gilhaney is an example of a man that is nearly banjaxed from the principal of the atomic theory. would it astonish you to hear that he is nearly half a bicycle?" ~~ sergeant pluck

by BuehrleMan on Jul 7, 2011 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions

And if he succeeds,

I’ll scream SSS at you until your ears bleed.

by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Jul 7, 2011 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

its in gods hands now

I'd just as soon never hear another word from that fluttering asswheel. - RWShow

by blackoutsox on Jul 7, 2011 3:01 PM CDT reply actions

In the "More money than God" department....

Home run derby balls will feature actual gold in the leather

Our manager wears 13, we were supposedly cursed, and we wear black. Let's play.

by ChiSoxRox on Jul 7, 2011 3:08 PM CDT reply actions

Reading the article, I actually like it

Fans in the stands get to keep the home run balls, only the last out will be the ‘gold’ ball (they were $150 to make each), and from the article:

In addition to their individual value, the balls have a particular significance to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. For each gold ball home run hit throughout the derby, State Farm and Major League Baseball will combine to donate $18,000 to the organization. That figure represents the 18,000 State Farm agents in the U.S. and Canada.

Not a bad idea actually, there’s been much worse. It is kind of cool for fans to say they caught a gold ball at a home run derby (mlb might just be trying to sell more tickets too).

Bears. Bulls. White Sox.

by The Voiss on Jul 7, 2011 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Anyone else on the southside without power?

Apparently my apartment in Pilsen is

by joewho112 on Jul 7, 2011 3:41 PM CDT reply actions

We can make our own "Dunn sucks" jokes

we don’t need charity.

sideways smiley face

by TasteeFreeze on Jul 7, 2011 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions

You try an assist that obvious, it'll get intercepted.

Ask D Rose.

by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Jul 7, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Dick Williams has died at 82

He is one of only two managers (Bill McKechnie) to take three different teams to the World Series: Hawk’s Red Sox in ’67, the As to titles in ’72 and ’73, and the Padres in ’84.

Our manager wears 13, we were supposedly cursed, and we wear black. Let's play.

by ChiSoxRox on Jul 7, 2011 4:50 PM CDT reply actions