Mistake of the masses

Another MLB All-Star Game, another mistake by the fans.

This time, it is Derek Jeter being voted to start despite his .260 batting average, 2 home runs, and 19 games missed due to injury.

It is no secret as to why Derek Jeter was voted to start by the fans. After all, the New York Yankees are the most famous team in baseball, and Jeter remains an icon for the game despite his lack of productivity.

But if the fans can vote in a shortstop whose own team seems to play better without him, then the fans should not have that power.

This isn't about Jeter. This is about Asdrubal Cabrera. The Indians shortstop is having a breakout year, hitting .291 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs. He needs one more home run to surpass his total for the last three years combined.

Yet, what if this isn't a breakout year, but an aberration? What if Cabrera's career is plagued by injuries? What if a shortstop prospect gets called up in September, thrives, and is the best shortstop in the AL for years to come?

Then Asdrubal Cabrera will have been cheated out of his only opportunity to start an All-Star Game. All because he isn't a household name and doesn't play for the Yankees or Red Sox.

The only argument I've heard that rationalizes Jeter's starting nod was that he has earned it with his play in the past. Some say that his past deeds have earned him this spot until he retires.

That just should not be. Jeter has had his time, and no one else should be penalized so that he can continue to play when he has not earned it. If the numbers were close to even, maybe the nod goes to the veteran shortstop as a tiebreak. But to allow Jeter to start when he has not earned it? He has played in 12 All-Star Games, and earned every one; now his all-star count will always be tainted with this unworthy selection.

There is also the fact that this game decides who gets home-field advantage in the World Series. So, to allow an unworthy player to play may give the other team an advantage. As the Yankees are attempting to reach the World Series, chances are even they do not want to see Jeter play in this game.

If the MLB were to come to its senses and abolish the fan voting, then how would the voting be done? Right now, some reserves are selected by the players and some are the manager's picks. To me, it seems that not all players are aware of who is having a great year in their league. Most of the time, the players' picks are more questionable than the manager's picks. However, giving one manager that much power is also a bad idea. Most managers look after their own guys, and individual managers would probably pick their own players in any close selection.

The best choice seems to be to allow all of the league's managers to select the teams. Most managers know enough about their own league to make prudent selections. The AL managers certainly wouldn't have allowed the Jeter debacle to happen.

Hopefully, the rule for fan voting is changed. If Bud Selig can make the right choice, then we won't have any more Asdrubal Cabreras.