Have you seen the updated vote totals for the National League All-Stars?  Apparently, Phillies fans have been stuffing the ballot boxes en masse.  According to mlb.com, as of June 15, seven of their eight starters rank in the top five in receiving votes at their respective positions.  Only Raul Ibanez (who was hitting .250 with 4 HR and 28 RBI entering last night’s game) failed to rank in the top five, coming in at #8 [...]

As you all are well aware the All-Star ballots are a joke.  We all know it is a popularity contest and more times then not, a more popular player will be chosen over a more deserving player.  In addition to being a mockery of the League’s best talent, it also reflects 1900 technology resorting to a preset roster established at the beginning of the season, typically resulting in players who have yet to have stepped [...]