David Ortiz is keeping an eye on Major League Baseball’s 2015 All-Star Game voting, even though it’s unlikely he’ll punch his ticket to the Midsummer Classic.
The Boston Red Sox slugger doesn’t like what he’s seeing.
The Kansas City Royals have dominated fan voting, creating a scenario in which the defending American League champions have a stranglehold on almost every position in the AL team’s starting lineup. Some potential Royals representatives are deserving of a spot, but others boast questionable All-Star credentials, which Ortiz feels should force a change in the selection process.
“We need to take this more serious when it comes to picking guys for the All-Star Game,” Ortiz recently told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford.
The starters for this year’s MLB All-Star Game are scheduled to be announced Sunday night. The rest of the rosters will be announced Monday night. The fan voting process ended Thursday night, but according to Monday’s final update, five Royals players — catcher Salvador Perez, second baseman Omar Infante, shortstop Alcides Escobar and outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon — were in line to start the game. Another three Royals — first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and designated hitter Kendrys Morales — ranked second at their respective positions.
“I think the reality is that they need to go back to the old days and choose the players who are playing the best in the first half,” Ortiz told Bradford. “Even us as players are like, ‘These guys are making the All-Star Game with these numbers?’ It’s questionable. I don’t think it’s fair to some of the players.”
Ortiz’s gripe isn’t based on the fact he’s unlikely to play in this year’s All-Star Game. The nine-time All-Star acknowledged to Bradford that one shouldn’t be selected based on his name. And Big Papi knows he entered Friday hitting just .228, even though he has shown improvement at the plate of late.
Ortiz simply wants the best players representing their respective leagues each July. If not, the prestige of earning an All-Star selection falls by the wayside.
“Remember, going to the All-Star Game means a lot to us,” Ortiz said. “For our history of what we’ve done in the game. It all matters. I see all the time this guy who played in the ’80s, ‘He made three All-Star Games.’ They say it loud and proud. So it means a lot.”
For what it’s worth, Ortiz revealed his All-Star starters to Bradford. His picks include:
Catcher: Russell Martin, Toronto Blue Jays
First base: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Second base: Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
Third base: Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox
Outfield: Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
Outfield: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Outfield: Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
Designated hitter: Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners
Starting pitcher: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
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Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
