Time to Commit

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 9, 2009 3:32 PM EST Comment 16 comments

No, not the the Braves in general. If you read this blog, you are probably pretty committed. I am talking about something that needs to happen. Something that should have happened twice already...

Why hasn't Brian McCann started an All Star game? I mean, we are talking about a guy who is unquestionably the best catcher in the NL. He plays for the Braves. You may have heard of him.

And the great part is, we the fans get to vote for him to play in the All Star Game every year. For the past 3 years, we have helped vote him in...

But it isn't enough. McCann has not gotten his due. He deserves to start an All Star Game. By all rights, he should have started at least the past 2 years.

So what I am looking for is a commitment, from ALL Talking Chop readers. Right now. In the offseason. Vote for Brian McCann. If he is the top catcher vote-getter, he gets to start. He is the best catcher, so he should be the top vote getter. We need to get him there. Everybody gets 25 votes, but that is per email address. Create another email account. Vote for him 50 -100 times. Whatever it takes. I'm sick of seeing him sit on the bench at the All Star game.

This is a call to arms. Reveille is playing full blast. Get it done.

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Because

The last three years, there were flash in the pan catchers who put up okay numbers, but were in, or had access to, major markets of people to stuff the ballots in their favor.

2006 – Paul Lo Duca had all of New York to make sure he started
2007 – JRussell Martin started because the Dodgers took advantage of Interleague in Canada, put a full-page ad in the Toronto Star/Sun endorsing JMartin’s Canadian background as reason why they should vote for him
2008 – Geovanny Soto had the flocks and flocks of Chicago sheep to vote him in
2009 – Yadier Molina was not going to get outvoted in his hometown, no matter what.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Nov 9, 2009 3:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't care

This time, Braves fans have to get the job done. Its sad/disguisting/infuriating that he hasn’t gotten his due. Its bad enough when the Braves fans are outnumbered in their own stadium, but the fans can at least take the time (this is all free, no money to pay), to get McCann his due.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 9, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heap is obviously the best catcher in the NL, but let’s face it, the All-Star game is a sham anyway. Just being named an all-star is more important than if you’re starting or not, unless there’s a bonus attached to it in the contract. In a way, it’s almost better to be named a reserve than it is to start, because there’s no questioning of credibility, because it’s the fellow managers making the decision, and not the brainless ballot stuffing fans.

Sadly, it takes a good story, or an insane showing of numbers for the vastly majority consensus of baseball fans to recognize a Brave as a starter. Look at what Chipper had to do in 2008 to get more votes than David Wright, who is usually the default NL 3rd baseman. And let’s face it, Heap’s been so good and consistent throughout the last four years, that he often gets overlooked by the flash in the pan.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Nov 9, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clearly

On both accounts you are right… The All Star game is a complete sham, and the flash in the pan guys will get lots and lots of votes.

But what I am proposing is that us Braves fans come together and commit to getting him in, just for the sake of getting the guy what he deserves.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 9, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

PR man

He needs a good PR man to do things like running full page ads in major markets or getting writers to come up with over the top stories about how great he is to get the GP(general public) aware of his awesomeness.

by JFP on Nov 9, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gwinnett Daily Post

generally devotes a lot of attention to Brian McCann at all star time. I remember last year a article about a guy who was putting up street signs for people to vote for Mac. i Know its not a large new paper by any account, but the people of gwinnett Love Brian McCann.

"Braves fans in the hizzy" -Boog
"Is that like the crib?" - Joe

by GwinnettBraves on Nov 9, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd love it if he got the "start"...

but never played. To be honest, I couldn’t care if we sent but the minimum 1 guy to the All Star game every year and let the remaining 24 rest up.

by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 9, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

im happy that he doesnt start… its unfortuante for him, but it sure doesnt seem to both erhim much… . for the sole purpose that i dont want him starting an extra 8 innings like happened two years ago with Russel Martin and Geovanny Soto

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Nov 9, 2009 4:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What Bud Selig has done to the original concept of the all star game is take a huge dump on it. I mean it was supposed to be an exhibition game that was for the fans. A game where fans voted to see play for the AL and NL. He has taken an exhibition and made it matter by making the winner have homefield advantage for the WS to cover his ass when the game was called a tie. What was so wrong with the rotate homefield advantage b/w AL and NL?

BTW, there’s always a possibility of not seeing a player like McCann who isn’t voted in as a starter since managers are now holding back players in case of extra innings b/c the game “matters”

by Walker Wallace on Nov 9, 2009 4:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Only Selig

Could make things so simple so complicated. The NBA has the right idea – the team with the better record going into the NBA Finals has home court. Simple as that. No reason why like the 90 win Yankees should have home field over like the 96 win Phillies because a pitcher from the Giants couldn’t hold a lead (example).

I’d also say that the NFL has the right idea as well, to do it after the season, but it would be balls cold by the time it took place, especially when it goes to places like Minnesota or Chicago.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Nov 9, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You realize voting hasn't opened yet, right?

But I’m with you, McCann needs to start.

http://www.capitolavenueclub.com/

by PWHjort on Nov 9, 2009 7:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I just wanted to get it up there

Yeah, its really early, but we as fans should be somewhat ashamed that we haven’t given McCann the support he deserves… I know I am.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 9, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you

But the all star game isn’t for 9 months.

And like someone said above: the braves are lucky to draw more than 27000 a night. The Cubs, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Cardinals and Giants draw more than 27000 every night.

"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"

by mvhsbball on Nov 9, 2009 7:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

the all-star game is a big contradiction now anyway, i almost rather watch the celebrity softball game or homerun derby…the fans should not be able to vote it home-field advantage relies on it…its probably the most idiotic thing selig could have possibly done

"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly

by Hcgadawgs on Nov 10, 2009 1:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs