Do you remember all of the ads for the State Farm Call Your Shot contest at the Home Run Derby, featuring David Ortiz? Sounds like this is one that won’t be happening; at least with Ortiz. Big Papi announced yesterday that he will be attending the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium (out of respect for the fans), but will not participate.

So – all you New York Yankees fans that got your panties in a bunch about Ortiz getting to be the highlighted player for this contest can relax. There’s no word yet and who will take the place of Ortiz, however, I’m going to bet on a left-handed hitter and probably someone from the American League.

Who do you think should be the player that has a shot at making a fan’s dream come true?

Photo: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Big Papi not playing in All-Star game

How many of you have Chicago White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin on your fantasy baseball team? Now, how many of you picked him in the draft and not out of the free agency pool? Not that many, I’m sure. Quentin is having a solid season, batting .295 with 15 home runs and 50 runs batted in. Yet, the tragedy is that Quentin’s name is no where to be found on the Major League Baseball All-Star ballot. He can be placed on the ballot as a write-in vote, but that’s probably not going to get him selected. So, the Southtown Star is starting a campaign to get the White Sox slugger into the All-Star game. It’s called ‘Q-Tips for Quentin.’

The newspaper is educating fans that the best way for Quentin to be picked for the game is to be selected as a reserve by Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona, who will be the manager for the American League All-Stars. The story, which appears in Wednesday issue, is asking fans to “get in the ear” of Francona by writing the Red Sox skipper and placing a Q-tip in the envelop.

A sample letter from the newspaper for fans to send, reads:

“Dear Terry:

Can we call you Terry? True, you don’t really know us, but we’re big Sox fans – White Sox fans.

We’re sending you this note – and this Q-tip – as a reminder of the stellar season Carlos Quentin’s putting up for us here on the South Side of Chicago.

He’s among the American League leaders in home runs and RBIs, and his batting average ranks among the tops for outfielders.

Please don’t forget him when it comes time to pick the American League All-Star reserves.

Your friend,

__________________________,

SouthtownStar reader (and Carlos Quentin fan)”

I have to hand it to them. This is a very creative idea. I hope Quentin gets selected by Francona. My letter is in the mail.

Post from: EveryJoe

Q-Tips for Quentin