Faithful readers of this blog know my affection for the Philadelphia Phillies. Yesterday, though, I had to make a choice between loyalty to the team and integrity to the game.I read on the Phillies' website that Jimmy Rollins, the Phils' shortstop, leads all National League shortstops in votes for the annual All-Star game. While Rollins always plays his position in the field well, his offensive numbers have been pretty dismal this season.
Loyalty to the Phils' demands that I continue to root for J-Roll, even when he's struggling that the plate.
But integrity forced me to get online yesterday and place the maximum 25 votes for Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
I love the Phils, but when it comes to the All-Star game, I think it's only right that the players voted in are actually playing like all-stars. I'll continue to support J-Roll, but the bottom line is that he's not playing like an All-Star. A leadoff hitter with an on-base percentage of .254 simply doesn't deserve to be in the starting lineup of an All-Star team.
I know we've got some baseball fans reading the blog, so what do you think? Should the All-Star game just be a popularity contest, regardless of how the players are actually playing? Or should the numbers count for something, even if that means less popular players make up the rosters?
I agree--stats should count for most of the voting decision. However, I don't like prima donna athletes and will choose someone who plays hard and is a team player over someone with a bad attitude.
ReplyDeleteAnd what is with all the votes for Manny Ramirez? Talk about voting based solely on popularity!