Gordon, Royals need your All-Star support
ST. LOUIS -- Alex Gordon was an American League All-Star for the first time last year, selected by his peers, the players. This year, there's a chance for him to be elected to the starting lineup by the fans.
So far, however, Gordon has not cracked the list of 15 top vote-getters among AL outfielders. The top three are the Angels' Mike Trout and the Blue Jays' Jose Bautista and Melky Cabrera.
Gordon has continued to be a productive hitter. He leads the Royals with 29 RBIs and is the AL's fourth-ranking hitter with runners in scoring position with a .375 (18-for-48) average. Gordon recently ripped off a nine-game hitting streak in which he bated .364 with five RBIs.
There's no disputing why Gordon has won three straight Gold Glove Awards as the AL's best defensive outfielder, either. His diving, acrobatic catches and his strong, accurate throws have become a league staple. He's had a mere four assists in the first third of the season, but only because runners have learned not to test his arm.
"He's a three-time Gold Glover who hasn't missed a beat defensively," manager Ned Yost said. "He's been one of our most consistent offensive performers from the beginning of the year."
Gordon was one of three Royals All-Stars in 2013. The others were catcher Salvador Perez and closer Greg Holland.
"It was really fun having three last year," Yost said. "I hope we have a couple guys that can get hot between now and then, and we have a couple of really good choices."
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 10:59 p.m. CT. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.
Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
Fans this year once again can participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2014 Home Run Derby will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 14.
The 2014 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. Immediately following the announcement of the AL and NL All-Star rosters, fans can begin voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Fans will cast their votes from a list of five players from each league over the balloting period.
And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.