Its election time again. Philadelphians know what that means.
Vote early. Vote often.
This is not about city council, though. Nor is it about blue and red states.
It certainly has nothing to do with the mayor’s office.
The constituency is located in Ashburn Alley. The candidates wear white with cherry pinstripes.
Balloting is underway for this year’s MLB All Star game.
The annual mid summer classic is scheduled to take place on July 10th at Kaufman Stadium, home
of the Kansas City Royals.
As tradition dictates, baseball fans choose the starting lineups. The process is democratic, but not perfect. The most qualified players don’t always take the field.
Popularity plays a role. Fans vote according to their hearts, not their heads.
Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., for example, was voted a starter in 2000 while hitting .239 during that season’s first half.
Further complicating things, MLB rules stipulate that each franchise is represented with at least one player on the roster.
Admittedly, in the not too distant past, this has worked in favor of the Phillies.
Mike Lieberthal (2000), Jimmy Rollins (2001) and Randy Wolf (2003) were lone Phillies All Stars.
It has worked the other way, though, too.
Ryan Howard belted 28 home runs and drove in 84 runs before the All Star break in 2008. It was not enough. Howard stayed home.
The final All Star game ever played at old Yankee Stadium went on without Howard there.
This year, at the first All Star game played in Kansas City since 1973, Phillies catcher Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz must be there.
Certainly, a case could have been made before. Phillies fans know this.
They know all about Ruiz’s ability to successfully manage the most highly profiled pitching staff in the big leagues.
They know too, all about Ruiz’s propensity for hitting in the clutch.
This year, Phillies fans and the rest of baseball have learned something new. “Chooch” has emerged as the best catcher in baseball.
And there is no time like the present.
The last place Phillies, battling injuries and complacency, have struggled in every phase, except when “Chooch” either is at the plate or behind it.
Check the numbers. Ruiz leads all MLB catchers in hitting (.337), and slugging (.577) and is tied for second in home runs (6) and RBIs (23).
Defensively, Chooch’s fielding percentage is perfect (1.000). He leads all MLB catchers in double plays (4), and he is ranked third in runners caught stealing (11).
The “Chooch Train” has left the station. And, it has been carrying the Phillies all season.
Now it is up to Phillies fans.
Vote early. Vote often.
Clear the tracks. The “Chooch Train” is right on time. Next stop Kansas City.
All aboard!
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com