The "Flyin' Hawaiian" to Fly in All-Star Game
By DAN STAMM
Updated 6:59 PM EST, Thu, Jul 9, 2009
Shane Victorino was named an All-Star Thursday thanks to you -- the fans.
Victorino might be as good at being a politician as he is at being a baseball player after his “Vote for Victorino” movement earned him a spot on the National League All-Star team.
You can now meet him in St. Louis for the festivities. Victorino and the Tigers' Brandon Inge (combined they form Bran-Torino) won the All-Star Game Final Vote.
Victorino earned 15.6 million votes -- the most ever earned by a player. But “Suga Shane” didn’t do it alone.
The entire Phillies organization pushed hard for Victorino’s candidacy. The gave away shirts, asked fans to vote at events around the city and teammate Chan Ho Park even walked around the ballpark with a sandwich board begging for fans to “Vote for Victorino.”
The “Flyin’ Hawaiian” also got assists from Philly Mayor Michael Nutter who hit the streets with Victorino to get fans to vote.
Victorino was one of five players vying for the All-Star Game Final Vote, which filled the final spot in the National League's lineup.
His closest competition came from San Francisco third baseman Pablo Sandoval who rode a big push from voters in his native Venezuela to lead Victorino as late as Wednesday night.
Arizona's Mark Reynolds, Washington's Cristian Guzman and L.A.'s Matt Kemp trailed behind the top two.
Shane's dad, Mike, a politician in Victorino’s native Hawaii, sent a personal plea to Philly all the way from Hawaii, via NBC10's Via Sikahema:
"I just ask that everyone continue voting. I and my family, along with Shane, will be super grateful."
The voters here in Philly and in Hawaii did the trick. Now “Suga Shane” will join teammates Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez and manager Charlie Manuel at the All-Star game.
First Published: Jul 9, 2009 3:10 PM EST
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