Vernon Wells Could Start All Star Game
May 11, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Vernon Wells (12) runs the bases after hitting a 2 run home run in the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY SportsVernon Wells is currently tearing the cover off the ball for the New York Yankees. He has a .354 on base percentage with 10 homeruns and has already put up a 1.5 WAR as we sit here in mid-May.
It’s surprising but it’s certainly not jaw-dropping.
Vernon is just 34-years-old and his last big season was just in 2010. In 2010 Vernon Wells made the all-star team. That had to be one of the factors that helped the Toronto Blue Jays trade him to the LA Angels.
When thinking about Vernon’s great start to 2013, it occurred to me he could not just be an All-Star again this season, but that me he could in fact start the All-Star game!
The All-Star game has its flaws.
Fans vote for the players that are in it but there is no limit to how many players can go from one team. So big market teams tend to have more players on the team, while the less popular teams All-Stars sit at home. Like Edwin Encarnacion last season.
You may have heard the New York Yankees are a big market team, so they tend to vote more All-Stars to the game than anyone else.
So you’ve got to love Vernon Well’s chances of getting voted in. If he continues playing well he could get enough votes from all baseball fans not just Yankee fans to start the game.
Vernon Wells starting the all-star game could mean players like Jose Bautista, Melky Cabrera, Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton and all the other outfielders that you actually expect to be stars could start the game on the bench or end up not making the team at all. Because of Vernon Wells!
Vernon’s got as good a chance as anyone in the AL to make the All-Star game this year. Whether he starts it or comes off the bench it’s going to feel weird seeing him at the all star game in a Yankee’s uniform. That’s saying something because it already feels weird seeing him in a Yankee’s uniform.
Plus seeing bitter Jays fans get mad at Vernon for being good with the Yankees is fun.
But hey I love me some weirdness and being a passenger on the bitter train so if he continues hitting well or even if he doesn’t he’s got my vote.