The 2009 All-Star balloting has kicked off, and you can vote here.
We have a couple of months in which to moan and complain about the potential choices, the actual choices, and the allegations of ballot-box stuffing, just like we do every year. I try not to get too worked up about the obviously ridiculous things which occur in the course of voting because, hey, it's just an exhibition and doesn't count for anything, right? Oh yeah.
Either way, it's never too early to get a head start on the complaints, so allow me to offer this one: why on Earth is Ken Griffey Jr. listed as an outfield choice but Endy Chavez not? Chavez is hitting .351/.422/.421 and has played brilliant defense in 15 starts in the outfield. Griffey is hitting .171/.320/.317 and has been virtually immobile in three outfield starts. The game is being played in St. Louis this year, so there is no DH.
How upset would the eventual AL Pennant winner be if Ken Griffey makes the All-Star team -- and based on the renewed enthusiasm for him back in Seattle, he just might -- and stumbles around in rightfield for an inning or two and costs the AL the win?
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Teams submit players to MLB to be on the All-Star ballots. Obviously, the Mariners thought Griffey had a better chance to make the team than Endy Chavez.
Carlos Quentin wasn't on the ballot last year. The White Sox submitted Jerry Owens instead.
Hopefully the AL manager will only use Griffey as a pinch hitter, if he is selected. Maybe the Seattle voters (and I am one) will write in Chavez. Griffey should never see another inning in the field.
Crazy things like this happen every year. The problem is that each team gets to choose its players on the ballot so on AL teams the DH can be chosen to take a regular position player's spot--this kept Curtis Granderson off the ballot for OF in 2007 (when he set a record for write-in votes on the way to a 20-20-20-20 season) in favor of Gary Sheffield, who was a full-time DH. Looks like the same thing is happening here. Lame.
If Griffey gets selected, hope that the AL manager uses him as a pinch hitter. Maybe Seattle fans (and I am one), will write in Chavez - I will. It pains me to write this, but Griffey should never play another inning in the outfield
Ken Griffey Jr is a future Hall of Famer who could have challenged Willie Mays as the most complete player ever, but for his injuries. I will never understand why he never made the transition to AL DH earlier, while there was something left in the tank, once his dreams for hometown glory in Cincinnati became a nightmare.
His powerful swing was as perfect as that of Billy Williams, with more power, and in his prime, his defense was second to none. About now he would have been passing the other famous son, Barry Bonds, in HRs, and we'd be celebrating. But let's not underestimate Jr.'s achievements, despite his injuries, as one of the 10 best players ever, and a decent human being. Jr., thanks for the memories.
If we fans give you one extra All-Star appearance, let's just enjoy it, and call it a lifetime achievement. They do it in Hollywood!