In one of the worst bits in sports, fans get to vote the starters for the MLB All-Star Game, even though it's the only all-star game in sports that actually matters for something with World Series homefield advantage on the line.
This typically leads to a lot of East Coast teams getting tons of representation in the starting lineups for the game, and typically not many Texas Rangers. Well, this season, the Rangers probably don't deserve much representation, but there are a few guys who are worthy.
On Tuesday, the first round of results was released to see where everyone stands with more than a month to go before the All-Star Game at Minneapolis' Target Field.
The most deserving Rangers this year are Shin-Soo Choo, who leads the AL in on-base percentage and kept the Rangers' offense alive with the season-long struggle of Prince Fielder and the cold start by Adrian Beltre. He currently sits eighth in the AL among outfielders with the top three earning starting nods. Currently, the top three are Mike Trout, Jose Bautista and Jacoby Ellsbury. Alex Rios, who's probably been the Rangers' best offensive player this year, is currently 15th in the voting.
Beltre is third among AL third baseman, more than 180,000 votes behind Oakland's Josh Donaldson, who deserves the starting nod as he's putting together a fine season leading the league in WAR. Elvis Andrus is fourth among AL shortstops and really just has no chance (not that he really deserves it) with guys like Derek Jeter and Alexei Ramirez ahead of him. The spot is pretty much a sure bet to go to Jeter as a career send-off.
So if you're so inclined, vote for your favorite Rangers at Globe Life Park or online. Or, just vote for who you think actually deserves it.
