Bogaerts finishes fourth in Final Vote
BOSTON -- American League Final Vote candidate Xander Bogaerts received a showering of support from Red Sox nation, but the 22-year-old shortstop came up short in his quest to earn the first All-Star Game selection of his budding career.
Bogaerts, a native of Aruba, finished in fourth place when voting closed on Friday afternoon, as Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas captured the top spot with 19.3 million votes. Behind Moustakas were Twins second baseman Brian Dozier in second place and Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes in third. Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, also a candidate, made the roster as an injury replacement for starter Alex Gordon.
"I know how much the fans tried. The Red Sox organization, they tried really hard," said Bogaerts after the Red Sox's 5-1 loss to the Yankees. "Fans here, also back home in Aruba, really tried. Moustakas winning, the Kansas City fans this year have been pretty crazy for their players. I appreciate all the help, all the votes they gave me."
The Red Sox campaigned for fans to support Bogaerts throughout the week using the hashtag "#XforASG," which was painted behind home plate on the Fenway Park field. The phrase "#XforASG Vote Xander To The All-Star Game" even appeared on highway traffic info boards in the Boston area with the cooperation of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, according to reports.
Bogaerts made his own case to win the vote this week by going 3-for-8 with a three-run single in two games against the Marlins. Entering Friday, he led all AL shortstop in hits (92), doubles (19), RBIs (41) and wins above replacement (2.6, according to Baseball Reference).
Bogaerts has been a consistent offensive force for the Sox all season, and his defensive game has taken a step forward, as well. That the league even considered him for the Final Vote, he said, felt gratifying.
"That right there is just an honor of how the season has been going on so far," Bogaerts said. "[I'll] just try to turn the page today and try to focus on the game, the task at hand."
During the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile in Cincinnati on Tuesday, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
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