Fan voting for the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game began a few weeks ago. Fans get to vote online up to 35 times to send players to Target Field on July 15, and we all have our reasons for voting for certain players. Those reasons range from who has had the best season so far to the most popular players to who is on our favorite team. I cast my votes as most other fans do, and I typically consider who has had the best season to date. I cast my first vote on May 26.
I made one exception this year, though, as I may do whenever this type of situation arises. I voted for Derek Jeter to start as the American League shortstop. Even though he has not had the best season for a shortstop (Chicago’s Alexei Ramirez has), I pick Jeter for his entire career. Many disagree, but Jeter deserves to start the All-Star game in his final year. Otherwise, Ramirez would get my vote. Ramirez will make the team.
In addition, with all due respect to the Chicago White Sox’ Jose Abreu, who is having a stellar season, Miguel Cabrera is still the man at first base. Cabrera may have only seven home runs, but he is hitting .322 with 42 RBI. Brian Dozier has come from nowhere to claim the second base job: 11 HR (first among A.L second basemen) and 26 RBI (second best).
The toughest call was Nelson Cruz over David Ortiz for DH. Cruz is on the ballot as a DH although he has played many games in the outfield. I could skip him and pick Ortiz, but Cruz is having a better overall season so far, and since he is on the ballot as a DH, I choose him to this point.
Without further ado, here are all my votes for the American League All-Star starters as of May 26.
1B — Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B — Brian Dozier, Twins
SS — Derek Jeter, Yankees
3B — Josh Donaldson, Athletics
C — Derek Norris — Athletics
LF — Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers
CF — Mike Trout, Angels
RF — Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
DH — Nelson Cruz, Orioles
I reserve the remainder of my votes for later as the voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 3. Some of these names on my ballot could change by then based on performance and potential injury.
To cast your vote, see the Official MLB All-Star voting ballot found on MLB.com.
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