The MLB All-Star Final Vote has ended. For the American League, Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Steve Delabar will take the last roster spot. For the National League the spot goes to—Atlanta Braves First Baseman Freddie Freeman, according to MLB.com. However, the story here is not who did make it but rather who did not. Namely, Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder, Yaisel Puig.
As the All-Star Game has drawn near, fans, journalists and analysts have all called for Yasiel Puig to represent the National League. Since being called up on June 3 the 22-year old has a batting average of .394 with eight homeruns and 19 RBIs. He also has an on-base percentage of .428.
Puig’s only hope of getting into the Mid-Summer Classic now, is if he is selected as a replacement for an injured All-Star.
The Los Angeles Dodgers teamed up with the Boston Red Sox to try and get Puig into the game. The Dodgers asked their fans to vote for Puig and Red Sox reliever Koji Uehara. The Red Sox would do the same.
However, their tandem was created too late since the Braves and Blue Jay had already teamed up.
There are many who will not be happy Puig won’t be in the game. On the other hand, there are those (myself included) who believe Puig did not deserve an All-Star spot.
Nevertheless, he is currently a polarizing figure in the game and Major League Baseball could use the ratings boost if he were to get in as an injury replacement.
Freddie Freeman (.307 BA, nine homeruns, 56 RBIs.) won the last spot with 19.7 million votes according to ESPN.com. Delabar (5-1, 1.74 ERA, .196 BAA) took first place with 9.6 million votes.
To Freeman, making the All-Star team is more than he ever hoped to accomplish.
"I never, ever thought that I would make one," said the first baseman. "I just wanted to get to the big leagues and when I got here I just wanted to win ballgames. All-Star games were not on my mind.
"To win this is just beyond me,” Freeman said.
After Delebar found out he won, he showed his gratitude threw twitter:
WOW!!! @BlueJays fans, you're amazing!! Thank you so much!! WOW!!
The 2013 MLB All-Star game will be held on July 16.
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