All-Star votes, yes. Top-selling jerseys? For Royals, not so much
Good thing jersey sales don't determine All-Star starting berths. If they did, the Kansas City Royals contingent in Cincinnati last week would have been a whole lot smaller.
The Royals dominated the voting for the American League All-Star team, with catcher Salvador Perez, shortstop Alcides Escobar and outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon earning starting spots. Relievers Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera were added by manager Ned Yost. And when a final roster spot was put up to a public vote, third baseman Mike Moustakas won that.
But when it comes to major league jersey sales, there's nary a Royal to be found among the top 20.
Giants ace Madison Bumgarner, the Royals' nemesis in the 2014 World Series, has been the most popular buy at the MLB.com Shop from Opening Day though the All-Star break, according to MLB.com. A rookie who didn't even open the season with his club, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, is No. 2. Another Giant, catcher Buster Posey, has had the third most jersey sales. And so on through No. 20, as deep as the list went.
No Royals. And only one Cardinal, catcher Yadier Molina, is on the list (No. 12).
So the best team in the American League and the best team in the National League combine for one jersey boy.
Coastal bias? Mega-markets? You be the judge:
1. Madison Bumgarner, Giants
2. Kris Bryant, Cubs
3. Buster Posey, Giants
4. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
5. Bryce Harper, Nationals
6. Hunter Pence, Giants
7. Mike Trout, Angels
8. Matt Harvey, Mets
9. David Ortiz, Red Sox
10. Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
11. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
12. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
13. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
14. Felix Hernandez, Mariners
15. Todd Frazier, Reds
16. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
17. David Wright, Mets
18. Albert Pujols, Angels
19. Max Scherzer, Nationals
20. Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers
