Lets Vote Chicago!! It’s that time of the year again. The 2012 MLB All-Star game is a little over a month away and it is time to vote for your favorite players. Although Chicago is an enormous city, Chicago’s baseball players do not win the voting contest too often. This is a problem. As fans, Chicago needs to support its players. It is always great to see Chicago players in the starting line-up during the summer classic.
In 2008, the Cubs sent 8 players to the game. In 2006 the Sox sent 7 players to the game. Over the last few years, both clubs have sent only a few players, if not the minimum one player. The Cubs are not doing well this year but do have some bright spots. The Sox find themselves in first place. While the team is having success, there are several players who stand out.
As fans we do not get to vote for the pitching staff that plays in the game. We can, however, vote for players to be in the starting line-up. Starlin Castro and Bryan LaHair are having good years for the Cubs. Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzysnki are having good years for the Sox. Yes, there are other player having good years, but I chose these players because of how good they are doing in comparison to other players in their same position.
Of the National League 1st basemen, only Votto has better numbers than LaHair. Both players are hitting over 300 and both are slugging over 500. While Votto may have more RBI’s, LaHair has more HR’s. LaHair is currently batting .308, has hit 10 HR and has driven in 22.
Castro is batting .317 with 4 HR and 32 RBI’s. He has stolen 15 bases, more than any other shortstop and is only one hit behind Furcal for most hits by a shortstop. Castro has once again showed that he can hit with the best.
Paul Konerko is batting .381 with 11 HR’s and 31 RBI’s. He is on base nearly half of the times he goes to bat and is slugging over .600. He leads all first basemen in hits, avg, homeruns and slugging. Enough said.
A.J. Pierzynski is batting .299 with 8 HR’s and 33 RBI’s. He leads all catchers in avg, rbi’s, and has the least strikeouts. There really isn’t much competition this year at the catchers position. A.J. is doing his job to help his team win games. He has put up good numbers and deserves the starting job.
Comeback player of the year, Adam Dunn, is having a very good year. While his avg is low(as it is every year) he has hit 16 HR and has 37 RBI’s. Dunn is slugging over .500 and has an OPS over .900. David Ortiz and Edwin Encarnacion are his main competitors.
Both Chicago teams have players that deserve to be in the All Star game. It is our job to make sure they have a starting role during the game. Take the time to vote for our guys. Lets make sure Chicago represents this summer!!
To vote go to MLB.com.
