Cespedes comes out swinging in Final Vote
Tigers' slugger hits tape-measure homer hours after landing on AL ballot
SEATTLE -- Yoenis Cespedes slugged his way to two Home Run Derby titles in his career. He's going to need some help from fans in the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote if he's going to take his swings at a third next week.
Cespedes was left out of the American League outfield for the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile on the starting ballot and player vote, but he has a chance to get in through the Final Vote. In case anyone needed a reminder of his case, he launched a 432-foot drive deep into the Northwest night on Monday against the Mariners for a tape-measure home run that led off a five-run comeback a 12-5 win for the Tigers.
:: All-Star Game on Fox: July 14, 7 ET air time | 8:15 game time ::It was a late-night game, but the Final Vote polls on MLB.com are open until 4 p.m. ET on Friday. Cespedes will need a surge to get past a field that includes the Royals' Mike Moustakas, the Yankees' Brett Gardner, the Twins' Brian Dozier and the Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts.
"He's definitely got a chance," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We need to get people to start voting."
Video: DET@SEA: Cespedes clubs Tigers' fourth homer of game
The Tigers have become regulars at the Final Vote. Brandon Inge won it in 2009, but Tigers candidates have fallen short since then, most recently with Rick Porcello as a candidate last year. Cespedes, however, might be the most accomplished candidate Detroit has had. He's certainly the most recognizable.
To help the cause, the Tigers have teamed up with the Reds to push fans of both teams to vote for Cespedes on the AL side along with Johnny Cueto on the National League side. Fans can vote for Cespedes and Cueto online at www.tigers.com/vote or www.reds.com/vote, or text "A2" for Cespedes and "N1" for Cueto to 89269 in the United States. Standard message and data rates may apply. There is NO LIMIT to the number of times fans may vote in All-Star Game Final Vote. The winners will be chosen exclusively by fan voting totals.
Tigers fans who vote for Cespedes and select the Detroit Tigers as their favorite team will receive an offer to purchase Upper Reserved tickets for $11 for games on Sept. 21-23 against the Chicago White Sox. In addition, fans will be automatically entered to win an autographed Cespedes jersey and four tickets to an upcoming home game.
Fans who #VoteYo and follow the Tigers on Twitter (@tigers) and Instagram (@tigers) will have the opportunity to win exclusive prizes including game tickets, autographed memorabilia and unique game experiences.
Video: Reds, Tigers align to #VoteYo and #VoteCueto for ASG
Cespedes' Tigers teammates plan to make their cases for him, too.
"That's definitely going to be our No. 1 thing," newly named All-Star J.D. Martinez said. "I think the guys we have in here do a great job. [David Price], I woke up today, and he was on Twitter all morning, blowing it up. I think we have a lot of great guys here and a lot of guys that push for each other and want the best for each other. I'm sure everybody will be lobbying for Cespy the next few days."
Price, Martinez and shortstop Jose Iglesias were selected to the AL All-Star team via the player vote, and Miguel Cabrera, who will not play because of injury, was voted by the fans to start at first base. A nod for Cespedes would give the Tigers five or more All-Stars for the third time in five years.
During the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14, 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.
MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities, including the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13. The Derby will feature a new format with brackets and timed rounds and will be broadcast live by ESPN and MLB.com beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (7 p.m. ET air time, 8:15 first pitch), in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive 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.