I just dont understand why the fanbase can come out for the final vote which is basically a back-up with no guarantee of actual playing time, but not for one of our guys to actually start the game? What's the issue? Apathy? Until the field can be narrowed down for only a few guys for one spot we wont vote? (hint, hint, that's one of the changes I want for the normal ballot)

When is the last time we had a guy who was clearly the best at his position, on the ballot, in a year where the team was good? Dye in 2006?

Maybe we're just not THAT biased.

Yeah, I'm not going to go nuts with the All-Star ballots trying to get Alexei Ramirez, Orlando Cabrera, Darin Erstad or AJ Pierzynski into the All-Star game. Very few Sox players have been the best at their respective position over the years and when they are -- Quentin in '08 and Rios this year -- there's usually a reason not to get amped about getting them in. (ie: not on the ballot and general malaise towards the baseball season)

Yeah, I'm not going to go nuts with the All-Star ballots trying to get Alexei Ramirez, Orlando Cabrera, Darin Erstad or AJ Pierzynski into the All-Star game. Very few Sox players have been the best at their respective position over the years and when they are -- Quentin in '08 and Rios this year -- there's usually a reason not to get amped about getting them in. (ie: not on the ballot and general malaise towards the baseball season)

 

I don't think I have ever voted all White Sox on the all-star ballot. Not recently at least. I might have done that in 06, but I think I don't need to defend myself about why I did it.

 

 

I really get sick of seeing Josh Hamilton.

8th in baseball in wOBA, 8th in UZR/150 (plays arguable the most important defensive position on on the field and is #1 at that position), 7th in SB and 2nd in WAR to a firstbaseman.

 

What the hell is wOBA and UZR? I get the point though.

 

 

I really get sick of seeing Josh Hamilton.

 

But he was a drug addict!!!!

Of course. But he's starter worthy.

 

Rios' May: .344/22/8/18/.406/.700/1.106

 

7 for 9 in stolen bases. Well above average defense at a premium position. Alex Rios, for all intents and purposes, has been the best all-around player in baseball to this point.

 

No love for Ethier?

No love for Ethier?

 

That's why I said "all-around." As in excelling in all facets of the game. Has Rios been the best hitter? No. Has he been the best combination of hitting, baserunning and defense? I'd say yes.

Rios absolutely deserves this. He's done everything right to turn his game around, and it's paying off for him, despite the fact that he already had a fat contract whether he performed or not. It's been a great turnaround, and I'm happy to have him...we finally have a dominating center fielder we've been searching for all these years...too bad the rest of the team fell apart around him.