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Figgins falls short in Final Vote whirlwind
Angels infielder accepts All-Star disappointment in stride
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
07/09/09 8:00 PM ET
ANAHEIM -- Angels third baseman Chone Figgins accepted his disappointment in finishing third in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote, won by Detroit's Brandon Inge in the American League, with the dignity that marks his much-admired professionalism among peers."I really wanted to win and go to the All-Star Game representing my team, I can't deny that," Figgins said. "But it didn't happen, and I congratulate Inge. There are a lot of good third basemen in our league, and he's one of them.
"I want to thank the organization and all the fans for voting for me, and I especially thank my teammates and their families for getting behind me. It really means a lot knowing it was so important to those people who are closest to you. In a way, that's just as meaningful as winning and going to the All-Star Game.
"Maybe my time will come soon. It's definitely a goal of mine, along with the biggest goal -- winning a World [Series] championship again."
Figgins was primarily a pinch-runner when the 2002 Angels made their mark on history, but he has evolved into a premier offensive catalyst and a superb defensive third baseman in his sixth full season.
Figgins certainly has an All-Star resume. He entered play Thursday leading the AL in runs scored (63), and he has the highest on-base percentage (.395) among all leadoff men in the Majors. He ranked ninth in the AL in batting average (.310), 10th in hits (99) and fourth in steals (24). His defense has been Gold Glove caliber, according to eight-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner Torii Hunter.
"We were all pulling hard for Figgy because he deserves to be there in St. Louis," said Hunter, who was selected to the AL squad along with Angels closer Brian Fuentes. "He's a force in our offense, and his defense definitely has been worthy of a Gold Glove."
Known primarily for his defense, Inge -- who can catch as well as play third -- entered Thursday batting .264 with 19 homers and 54 RBIs.
"I really thought Figgy was going to make the All-Star team," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "It's disappointing. There are always guys who deserve to be there, and he's one of them this year."
Fans turned out in record Final Vote numbers, with a total of 68.6 million votes cast at MLB.com. Inge formed an alliance during the process with the Phillies' Shane Victorino, who prevailed in the National League with the highest number of votes in history. Both players were in second place -- Inge trailing the Rangers' Ian Kinsler, Victorino chasing the Giants' Pablo Sandoval -- when the Tigers and Phillies collaborated on their "Bran-Torino" catchphrase campaign.
Figgins was at least as creative, promising to do a back flip a la Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith when he took his position at Busch Stadium in the Wizard's old home city.
"I definitely was hoping to do that," Figgins said. "I haven't done it since the Minor Leagues, but I can still do it. I always loved Ozzie Smith and wanted to be a Major League shortstop, just like him. Third base is about as close as it gets, right?"
Inge, an AL All-Star for the first time, drew 11.8 million votes -- the most ever by an AL Final Vote winner. He held off Kinsler and a strong late challenge by Figgins. Rays first baseman Carlos Pena and Blue Jays designated hitter Adam Lind completed the impressive field. Vote totals for the balance of the field were not released.
Victorino overcame a solid campaign by Sandoval, the "Kung Fu Panda" from Venezuela who has emerged as a force with a hitting style similar to that of Angels superstar Vladimir Guerrero. Their strike zones run from their shoetops to their eyeballs, and sometimes beyond.
D-backs third baseman Mark Reynolds, with a home-state endorsement from 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain, finished a strong third. He was followed by Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp and Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman.
A Figgins-Kemp regional alliance on the teams' Web sites wasn't as effective as "Bran-Torino."
This year's record number of votes represents an increase of 43.5 percent from the previous mark of 47.8 million set in 2008. Since its inception in 2002, the All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote has now recorded nearly 200 million votes.
Victorino entered Thursday hitting .306 with 22 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 39 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. He is the second Phillies winner in Final Vote history, joining Bobby Abreu -- now Figgins' teammate. Abreu won it in 2004.
The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 5 p.m. PT.
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
