As of Tuesday, Alex Avila of the Detroit Tigers was around 400,000 votes behind Russell Martin in the 2011 MLB All-Star Voting. Once again, fans are in the wrong with All-Star voting.
Martin has had a good year, which came as a surprise to some. He signed with the Yankees and has turned his game around. However, Avila deserves to start at catcher.
Avila isn't well known, which is why he isn't leading the votes. At least the fans didn't vote Joe Mauer in based on name alone. It's a sign they watching baseball, but Martin gets more votes because of his name and the fact that he is a Yankee.
The best catcher in the American League is Avila. He leads all American League catchers in batting average, RBI, on base percentage, slugging, and in OPS, which is on base percentage plus slugging.
It's ridiculous that Avila isn't getting the votes. He is clearly the top catcher in the AL, and he would be the best in Major League Baseball, but Brian McCann is having an MVP like season.
The 24-year-old catcher is in his second season in the majors. He is hitting .303 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI. Avila has done most of his damage at home in Comerica Park hitting .308 with six home runs and 27 RBI.
Against the National League Avila is hitting .321 with one homer and eight RBI. He should be the starter in the All-Star game, but it will most likely be Martin.
Voters remember Martin because he has made two All-Stars in the past with the LA Dodgers. It's a shame that the best catcher in the American league won't be starting. Every year there are signs that the voting format needs to change, but Bud Selig and MLB will never do anything about it.
Perhaps Avila can win the Final Vote if he his snubbed of an All-Star spot. However, since that is also voted by fans it is doubtful.
We will find out on Sunday night if Avila received enough votes to be named the starter. The 2011 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show will be hosted by Matt Winer, and it will feature Cal Ripken Jr, Dennis Eckersley and David Wells as analysts.
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