About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2019)
ft Host of Braves ^ >■- making cases for all- star selection Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game is set for July 9 in Cleveland, and fans have been voting for their fa vorites since late May. This year, the powers-that-be de vised a brand new way of voting for the starters in each league in the Mid summer Classic. Yes, you could still punch the little chads on an actual ballot if you attend ed a major league game and, yes, you could have gone online and cast your votes at MLB.com and Google.com. You could - but you can’t now. The way it works this year, fans were allowed to vote between May 28 and June 21 for the all-star starters in both the American and National leagues, then that so-called “primary” voting was shut down. The top three vote-getters at each infield position and the top nine out fielders, plus top three at designated hitter in the AL, all were advanced to a second phase of voting, cleverly termed the “Starters Election.” That phase begins at noon Wednes day and runs till 4 p.m. Thursday. Don’t ask me why. During that 28-hour period, anyone and everyone can go online and vote for the starters - but only once per valid email address. Host of Braves making cases for all-star selection By Dave Jordan Keep in mind, this is just for the position players who will start the All- Star Game, and those “winners” will be announced later Thursday on the alphabet sports network. The pitchers and reserves for each league will be announced Sunday. So let’s see how baseball fans did in the Primary phase. Here are the top vote-getters at each position, begin ning with the junior circuit: American League Catcher: Gary Sanchez, Yankees First base: Luke Voit, Yankees Second base: Tommy La Stella, Angels Shortstop: Jorge Polanco, Twins Third base: Alex Bregman, Astros DH: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox Outfield (top 3): Mike Trout, An gels; George Springer, Astros; Michael Brantley, Astros National League Catcher: Willson Contreras, Cubs First base: Freddie Freeman, Braves Second base: Ozzie Albies, Braves Shortstop: Javier Baez, Cubs Third base: Nolan Arenado, Rockies Outfield: Cody Bellinger, Dodgers; Christian Yelich, Brewers; Ronald Acuna, Braves. To say the all-star voting process is a glorified popularity contest would be correct, but baseball fans do get it right sometimes. Bellinger, Yelich and Trout are heads and shoulders above every other MLB player at present, re gardless of position, and those three, respectively, received the most votes. And you can make a case for San chez, Voit and Bregman being No. 1 at their positions this season in the AL, along with Trout, and likewise in the NL, Contreras, Freeman and Arenado are statistically at or near the top at their positions, along with the afore mentioned Bellinger and Yelich. Nice job, fans. In addition to the Atlanta trio of Freeman, Albies and Acuna leading at their positions, four other Braves made the top three at their spots and are still on the ballot for the final Election: Brian McCann at catcher, Dansby Swanson at shortstop, Josh Donaldson at third base, and Nick Markakis in the outfield. Worthy or not, is there any reason all seven can’t be voted in by fans to start the game? Ladies and gentlemen, start your computers. Dave Jordan is a native of Mable- ton, a University of Georgia graduate, and a diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan. Calendar The Coastal Photographers GuThe Coastal Photographers Guild (CPG) will host its 11th annual “Big Photo Show” in the gallery at Glynn Visual Arts, 106 Island Dr. St. Simons Island June 25 through August 2. Opening Reception June 27, 5:00-7:00 pm. Re freshments will be served. June 24, 2019, The Islander, Page 13 SGHS launches on line appointment system for Immediate Care Centers Southeast Georgia Health System has launched “Save Your Spot,” an on line appointment reservation system, at their three Immediate Care Centers in Brunswick and St. Simons Island. To reserve a spot in line at one of the Immediate Care Centers, visit sghs. org/save-your-spot to select a preferred time. Because the Immediate Care Centers treat patients based on the se verity of illness or injury, reservation times are not guaranteed, but patients will be seen as close to their reserved time as possible. Save Your Spot is available at all three Immediate Care Center locations: Glynn Immediate Care Center 3400 Parkwood Drive Brunswick 912-466-5800 Glynco Immediate Care Center 15 Gable Court Brunswick 912-466-5400 St. Simons Immediate Care Center 5000 Wellness Way St. Simons Island 912-466-5900 The Immediate Care Centers treat all of life’s bumps, bruises and pains that aren’t life-threatening but need prompt attention, such as minor inju ries—sprains, cuts, burns, bee stings, sunburns and foreign objects in the eye—and minor illnesses, including cold and flu, respiratory infections, uri nary tract infections, fever, sore throat, ear ache, upset stomach and allergies. Tee off with THE Islander and Scott Ryfun every weekday morning from 7-10 a.m. Straight Talk WGIG IAAQ HeartIRadio ^SLANDER imPRESSive reporting imPRESSive coverage Call to subscribe 912-265-9654 1604 B Newcastle St. • Downtown Brunswick
