Multiple voting has put Chicago White Sox leftfielder Scott Podsednik on the American League's All-Star team. The midsummer baseball classic takes place in Detroit next week. Scott's not a well-known player, this will be his first trip to the All-Star game. On the National League end, pitcher Roy Oswalt was voted in; he's also a first time All-Star.
The voting was online, and unlike the type of "vote early and often" shenanigans that are alleged to take place in Chicago, this electronic ballot-box stuffing is legal and, yes, ethical.
What's great about this story is how the White Sox players all helped Scott out. I was watching the game on TV, and on a trip to the supermarket, listening on radio. White Sox VP of Communications Scott Reifert explained on the air (on both broadcasts) that the Sox players all got on their laptops to vote for Podsednik. A lot. And the players told their friends and family to do the same. There were millions of votes cast, and it's impossible to say how much of an effect the players effort made in getting Podsednik on the team, but it's great to know that not all professional athletes are prima donnas.
This AP article adds a bit:
The White Sox also made a strong push for Podsednik the past few days. They had a laptop in the dugout before Tuesday's game for players to cast their votes. Employees wore shirts and pins encouraging fans to vote for Podsednik, and the organization ran announcements at the stadium and during broadcasts.
Podsednik's victory was announced during Wednesday night's home game against Tampa Bay, bringing a roar from the crowd.
And not only did the White Sox win that game, they swept the Devil Rays.
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