The Kansas City Royals recently slipped in All-Star voting from having seven players positioned as starters to five — still four more than any other team. So what’s the secret to their overwhelming support?
ROYAL FLUSH
With more than 500 million votes now tallied in the American League All-Star balloting, Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson and Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz have mananged to move past the Royals’ Mike Moustakas and Kendrys Morales as starters.
Currently, Royals outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon, shortstop Alcides Escobar, catcher Salvador Perez and second baseman Omar Infante hold leads. All-Star voting doesn’t end until Thursday night, so there’s still a chance the Royals could sneak an extra starter or two back into the starting lineup.
LOADED ALL-STAR TEAMS
In the American League three teams have had five or more starters in All Star Game history. In 1937, the New York Yankees started Red Rolfe, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey and starting pitcher Lefty Gomez. Two years later they had six starters: Rolfe, DiMaggio, Dickey, George Selkirk, Joe Gordon and starting pitcher Red Ruffing.
In 1975, five Oakland A’s started the All-Star Game: Reggie Jackson, Joe Rudi, Gene Tenace, Bert Campaneris and starting pitcher Catfish Hunter.
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