Let’s flood the ballots for Kyle Schwarber

Who is this “Ohtani” guy anyway?

Well look at that. It’s already time for All-Star ballots to happen online.

Good lord, where has the time gone this year?

With those ballots comes the inevitable questions about who is deserving of heading to the game, this year being hosted in Atlanta, and who is going to be voted as the starter for each position. Some of them are actual debates (who in the world is going to be the American League first baseman?) while others are already foregone conclusions (wonder if that Aaron Judge guy has plans in mid July?)

But should they actually be foregone?

I propose that we do something here as followers and discussion havers of the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber has turned himself from not just a slugger who strikes out a lot and walks with reckless abandon to all around elite hitter that is not longer flummoxed by same sided pitching. He’s been one of the best hitters against left handed pitching this season, no easy feat for someone who struggled against southpaws for much of his career.

We’ve seen enough of Shohei Ohtani around these parts.

Yes, he’s the best baseball player that ever lived. Yes, he’s raking again this season at a pace that might put him ahead of what he did last year. Yes, he’s probably the biggest draw the game has when it comes to putting fans in seats.

And?

Maybe Ohtani wants to spend some time off during that week with his wife and dog. Being on the road so frequently during the baseball season leads one to miss loved ones and want to spend as much time as possible in their company. Who are we to deprive Ohtani of that simple pleasure? Plus, voting in Schwarber isn’t the worst choice that a voter can make. Adding someone less heralded at the position would be a more egregious mistake, but sending Schwarber to Atlanta would be a good and proper choice.

Let’s flood that ballot box with votes for Kyle Schwarber. It’s a time honored tradition in All-Star voting. There have been plenty of times where starters were chosen over perhaps a more deserving player, but a choice of Schwarber over Ohtani is not one of those time. Schwarber actually deserves it.

Do your duty as a Phillies fan.

Vote and vote often.