Kansas City Royals Dominate All-Star Ballot; Royals’ Ned Yost tells ‘Haters’ to Vote More

The Kansas City Royals are on track to be voted into eight of the nine All Star spots. While many fans are unhappy with the Royals' dominance on the ballot, Royals' manager Ned Yost is unapologetic.

"There's nothing wrong," Yost told USA Today Sports. "Vote! The votes are the votes. If you don't like it, go out there and vote. Our fans have gotten out and voted. Does seven starters surprise you? Yeah. But once you sit back and think about it, it's really not that surprising."

If the current voting leads stay put by July 2, Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout will be the only non-Royals player to start in this year's All-Star game. He will be joined by Royals outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon.

"Their fans are voting," Trout said. "I don't know. ... We have no control over the [All-Star] team. I'm sure our fans are out there voting, so it doesn't bother me."

On Monday, Royals Omar Infante took over Houston Astros' Jose Altuve's spot in the ballot for second baseman. The other Royals leaders for the remaining spots are catcher Salvador Perez, first baseman Eric Hosmer, shortstop Alcides Escobar, third baseman Mike Moustakas and designated hitter Kendrys Morales.

"To be honest with you, I've never agreed with the All-Star voting. I always thought that guys most deserving, and having the best years, should go, especially now that the All-Star Game decides who wins home-field advantage. But it's a popularity thing now, and after getting to the World Series, we got popular," Gordon said. "But we get seven guys starting at the All-Star Game, they'll change the rule. They'll have to. It will be like a home game. Nobody wants to see one team playing against the other All-Star team. It kind of ruins the point of an All-Star Game."

Royals Jarrod Dyson said, "If we get seven guys voted in, I'm sure they'll change the rule next year. But hey, I think it's great. People used to get voted in whether they had a good time or now. It's time for a change. This is good for the game."

"I don't know what people want us to do,'' Hosmer added. "Are we supposed to tell people to stop voting for us?"

The record for the most starters from a single team was set in 1939 when the New York Yankees sent six players (catcher Bill Dickey, center fielder Joe DiMaggio, second baseman Joe Gordon, third baseman Red Rolfe, pitcher Red Ruffing and left fielder George Selkirk). The Royals (35-25, .583), who currently have the best record in the American League as of Tuesday, can break that record. MLB has confirmed that there have been no computer hacking or cheating involved.

The official roster for the All-Star game will be announced during the weekend of July 4-5. The All-Star game is on July 14.