It's finally happening. Though, I guess it was kind of inevitable. With just a few days until the MLB All-Star fan voting period ends, Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury (3,051,675) is mounting a furious rally against Texas' Josh Hamilton (3,173,000), to transform the starting AL team into the dreaded AL East All-Star team. What else is there to say about east-coast, big-market bias?
Yes, should the latest Boston candidate join the ranks, the team that is meant to represent the entire American League would be comprised entirely out of members of the AL East. Five Yankees, three Red Sox, one Blue Jay. A tad ridiculous, to say the least.
Catcher Russell Martin (2,779,592), second basemen Robinson Cano (4,724,816), outfielder Curtis Granderson (4,582,419), third basemen Alex Rodriguez (3,735,406), and shortstop Derek Jeter (3,392,128) -- whose undeserved lead over Cleveland's Asdrubal Cabrera (2,885,778) has actually grown throughout the month -- all proudly maintain a pinstriped advantage at their respective positions. Likewise, the Boston faithful have ensured that first basemen Adrian Gonzalez (4,014,722) and designated hitter David Ortiz (4,237,014) still carry significant leads at their spots.
Of course, a king resting in comfort amongst all this New York/Boston fanfare, the sole Toronto Blue Jay's candidacy cannot be argued. Canada's slugging superstar, outfielder Jose Bautista (5,263,840), is the lone member of either league to reach to five million ballot mountaintop, and is a sure lock to end up as the MLB's leading vote-getter.
The starting AL lineup as of June 28th:
C: Russell Martin, Yankees: 2,779,592 (Alex Avila, Tigers: 2,345,065)
1B: Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 4,014,722 (Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 3,077,242)
2B: Robinson Cano, Yankees: 4,724,816 (Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,979,181)
SS: Derek Jeter, Yankees: 3,392,128 (Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 2,885,778)
3B: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 3,735,406 (Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,935,373)
OF: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 5,263,840 (Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 3,051,675)
OF: Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 4,582,419 (Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 2,294,337)
OF: Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 3,173,000 (Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,912,783)
DH: David Ortiz, Red Sox: 4,237,014 (Michael Young, Rangers: 2,235,504)