KC is making MLB all star a bigger joke

[nolemmings]

I don't have strong feelings about your solution Quan, but I have a hard time understanding why people feel that way. Before this and for years--basically forever--the home team for the World Series alternated every season between National and American League cities. It didn't matter what your record was, who won what game or games, etc,; the AL hosted in odd years and the N.L in even years. I don't remember anyone EVER caring, and there was no serious if any complaining or lobbying for a change. Teams were just happy to be in the World Series.

Now there is this wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth as if way too much is riding on a silly exhibition game. Why? Hey, at least the Royals have a legitimate chance of being the AL representative in the World Series and thus have every incentive to fight hard for this now oh so strategically important advantage. Still, if it's really so troublesome to folks just put it back the way it was, I guess, so people don't get their blood pressure all cranked up over something that never mattered for decades.

[barrysloate]

If fans were somehow only allowed to vote once, the system would probably work. But there are ballot stuffers who vote hundreds of times. Most people don't have the time or inclination to do this. As such, fan voting is not a good way to go. Let the players vote once, and you will end up with the best ones on the field.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

If fans were somehow only allowed to vote once, the system would probably work. But there are ballot stuffers who vote hundreds of times. Most people don't have the time or inclination to do this. As such, fan voting is not a good way to go. Let the players vote once, and you will end up with the best ones on the field.

I agree with you, but doesn't every team have fans that are 'ballot stuffers'? I don't think any one team has more 'ballot stuffers' than another, so really doesn't it all balance out?

[barrysloate]

Every team's fans ares free to stuff ballots, but they don't all do it. I think groups in certain cities get together and try to find as many people as possible to vote as often as possible. So somehow or other the voting gets skewed.

I do believe the players have a better understanding of who the best performers are than most fans. It's nice to vote for your home town team, but there are certainly some better players in other cities around the league. The game should really feature the best players, not the most popular ones.

[Runscott]

When I checked the voting yesterday, Toronto was right behind Kansas City. There was obviously something awry in both of those cities.

I agree that the fans should not be allowed to vote.

The comment that if it were your team leading in such a way, you would be happy, is disappointing. This is about KC finding a way to cheat the system in a way that was never intended - not about what other people would do if some hypothetical circumstances existed in their city, that doesn't.

I might vote for some Seattle and Houston players, but if either of those cities was doing what KC is doing, I would not vote.