The selection method that has resurfaced
As of Tuesday (Korea time), Walker has played in a total of 90 games, posting a batting average of 0.268 with 22 homers and 64 RBIs. He also boasts an outstanding OPS of 0.853, which is a combination of on-base plus slugging percentage. However, he will not be able to participate in the "2024 Major League All-Star Game" in Texas in the middle of this month. He has not been selected as an All-Star by fan vote. Bryce Harper (32) has been selected as the starting member for the All-Star Game at the National League's first baseman. He garnered more votes in the All-Star fan vote. As of Tuesday, Harper has appeared in a total of 76 games this season, posting a batting average of 0.303 with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs. Excluding batting average, he has performed worse in both home runs and RBIs than Walker. The performances of Pete Alonso (30. New York Mets) and Freddie Freeman (35. Los Angeles Dodgers), who were bench members for the National League All-Star first baseman, are also below Walker. As of Tuesday, Alonso has played in a total of 88 games this season, posting a batting average of 0.243 with 18 homers and 48 RBIs. His OPS is also 0.789, which is inferior to Walker, who was not selected as an All-Star in all areas of offense. Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freeman also has 13 home runs and 58 RBIs as of the 9th, falling behind Walker in this category. Walker, who failed to become an All-Star despite his best performance among first basemen in the National League, calmly accepted the reality by saying, "I don't like the result. But what can I do if it's the result?" in an interview with the Arizona Central on Sunday. Walker continued, "But all the first basemen who were chosen as All-Stars are worthy to be there. I acknowledge them." Arizona manager Torey Lovullo also expressed concern over Walker's elimination from the All-Star roster. "It bothers me a little that Walker has not been selected as an All-Star. He is talented and popular enough to be selected as an All-Star," he said in an interview with media. "I hope Walker can join the All-Star roster later because players who have already been selected could miss the event due to injuries and other reasons." Walker, who has been the first baseman against Arizona State since 2019, drew attention with 29 home runs and 73 RBIs that year. In 2022 (36) and last year (33), he has grown into a league-leading first baseman with 30+ home runs for two consecutive years. Walker received the Gold Glove Award for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, and was recognized as the best first baseman with both attack and strength, but has never been selected as an All-Star. As a result, fans are cheering for him every year on how to select an All-Star. All-stars are selected by fans' vote. However, the method is a problem. One person can vote every day during the All-Star voting period. As a result, people are constantly asking if they want to win votes. As Walker failed to join the All Star despite his best performance among first basemen in the National League, fans are raising their voices over the All Star selection method. Public opinion is gaining momentum that the method should be changed to reflect both fan voting and performance.