MLB All-Star Game 2017: Kris Bryant finishes 2nd in Final Vote, and that’s a good thing

Major League Baseball announced the results of its All-Star Game Final Vote to choose the last player on each league’s roster late Friday afternoon.

There was a big push by the Cubs and many fans to get Kris Bryant elected, but he fell short. Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner received 20.8 million votes, the most ever for anyone in Final Vote history, and he gets the nod for the National League. Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas won the American League vote.

Personally, I’m happy with this result. The way the Cubs have been playing, it’s good that Bryant will be taking four days off next week instead of going through the hoopla in Miami. And truth be told, Bryant’s not having the sort of dominant season that warrants All-Star selection, as he was the last two years. Turner’s hitting really well and deserves the nod.

Instead, the Cubs have just one representative in the game, closer Wade Davis, and that seems about right for this underachieving team. Davis, if he gets into the game, won’t throw more than an inning and it would be on a day he might need the work anyway.

Bryant and the rest of his teammates can take the four days off, rest and recharge and reflect on what’s brought them to a point none of us thought we’d see, under .500 and 4½ games behind the surprising Brewers in the N.L. Central. Perhaps that time of refocusing can produce a second half to remember.

Here’s an interesting map of how Final Vote voting went by region all across the USA.