The Unpredictable and Strange All-Star Voting: Thornton in, Rios Out, Konerko Still Has a Shot
It just shows how much I know. Thinking Paul Konerko was a cinch to make it as a reserve first baseman and Alex Rios had a shot at a backup outfield spot, I was dead wrong.
Instead it’s Matt Thornton as the lone White Sox All-Star rep (well-deserved, of course) and Rios is shut out completely. Paulie still has a shot in the Final Vote balloting, competing with the impressive quartet of former Sox Nick Swisher of the Yankees, Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox, Delmon Young of the Twins and Michael Young of the Rangers. Although all of his competitors have strong fan backing, Konerko can take heart that the Sox fans have sent two previous Final Vote candidates, Scott Podsednik and A.J. Pierzynski, to the Midsummer Classic thanks to strong marketing efforts.
In the best tradition of Chicago elections, vote early and often for Mr. Konerko. With 20 HR, in the league’s top five with 59 RBI and in the neighborhood of a .300 BA, he belongs.
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