White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale and Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo are the winners of the 2014 All-Star Final Vote, Major League Baseball announced on Thursday.
Chris Sale, Anthony Rizzo win Final Vote
The Windy City rules all when it comes to the stuffing of ballot boxes.
Brian Kersey
Sale had a very good case to be selected to the team by means other than the Internet and text message-based voting system, which made its debut in 2002. The 25-year-old left-hander, who is an All-Star for the third consecutive season, owns a league-leading 2.08 ERA/193 ERA+ and allows fewer baserunners than any other pitcher in baseball.
Rizzo has certainly been no slouch, either. He is enjoying a true breakout season in his fourth year in the league, entering Thursday with a .280/.387/.512 line and 20 home runs. The 24-year-old slugger is on pace to shatter his previous career highs in home runs, walks and runs scored, in addition to the three triple-slash categories. This year marks the first time Rizzo has been selected to the All-Star Game.
Sale received 6.7 million votes and finished ahead of Garrett Richards, Rick Porcello, Corey Kluber and Dallas Keuchel. Justin Morneau, Justin Upton, Anthony Rendon and Casey McGehee ended up behind Rizzo, who garnered 8.8 million votes.
The White Sox have had four Final Vote winners. Sale joins Paul Konerko (2011), A.J. Pierzynski (2006) and Scott Podsednik (2005).
Rizzo is the Cubs’ first Final Vote selection.
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