SERP Mission: Operation Captain All-Star

[M2]

Time to flex our muscles. This may be Barry Larkin's last season and he's been playing pretty well.

And, frankly, 11 All-Star Games is not enough. The Captain deserves the lifetime achievement award here. It's his "On Golden Pond," his "Color of Money." We don't get to vote on the HOF, but we sure as shooting get a say in who goes to the All-Star Game. I figure if everyone on this board starts hardcore stuffing the ballot box and recruits some others to do the same, we can put a serious shift on the vote tabulation.

I've done 50 full ballots at a single game. That's 900 hole punches (really I ought to market myself for Florida voting duty). Well, imagine if you concentrated on one player, making each ballot a bullet vote for that guy? You could, theoretically, get 900-1,000 votes for that player just by your lonesome at a single game. Now get a few hundred people involved. You're talking about hundreds of thousands of votes (don't forget to max out online voting for you and everyone in your family as well).

Also, Matt over at WLW and Lance McAllister, try to get the power of the airwaves working for us. Radio talk hosts talk plenty of flak for accentuating the negative. Well, here's a chance to rally the masses behind a popular cause.

Time to send a message to the rest of the world that they ought to show some reverence to our 40-year-old shortstop. Failure to put him in means it's just another Cardinal in the starting lineup. And who wants to see that?

So let's get cracking and make it happen.

[Chip R]

Sounds like a good idea. I've usually been one for selecting the best players at each position for the ASG but since Barry's my favorite player too I'm willing to bend my principles. Besides we need to get one of these things going again. I think the last time we tried something like this was when we were voting for RedsZone for best website for baseball or something like that. Unfortunately the White Sox site beat us out there but there's no shame in losing, only not trying.

[Red Leader]

I have already used up all of my online votes for me, my wife, my 5 year old son, and my 8 month old son (both of which are 13 on MLB.com, since that is there age requirement :MandJ: ) So I know Larkin has at least 100 votes :thumbup:

[Johnny Footstool]

Tonight's Redszone get-together seems like the perfect opportunity for some coordinated ballot-box stuffing at the ballpark...

[REDREAD]

great idea.. I just maxed out my votes at work.. Will take care of my
family (all 6 of us) at home.

I don't think there's a rule against pets voting either..

[Red Leader]

I don't think there's a rule against pets voting either..

As long as they are 13 years old....

[FrenchD1]

good idea. I've voted my 25 times online already (for Barry everytime) and probably 10 more at the ballpark so far (I plan on voting at the park many many more times). However a few of my ballots may be thrown out because I wrote in Pete Rose at 3B. I don't know if they'll throw out that whole ballot or not. But not to worry, I only did that on 3 or 4 of my ballots at the very most.

[bucksfan]

I don't think there's a rule against pets voting either..

That would be great except for my dog Sunny's inexplicable fondness for Adam Everett and our cat's irritatingly bandwagon-ish fascination with Kaz Matsui....

Oh, you mean we would do the voting for our pets.... ;) Gotcha.

[Crash Davis]

Other than Jack Wilson, who's had a better year so far than Barry?

He deserves it for his play this year in addition to his lifetime achievements.

[wheels]

Btw...What in the HECK is a SERP.

I've been trying to figure it out, but I just can't.

I give up.

[M2]

Btw...What in the HECK is a SERP.

I've been trying to figure it out, but I just can't.

I give up.

Society of Evil Reds Posters

You're now in charge of the late night recon team. None of your crew may be captured alive.

[DJF33]

As long as they are 13 years old....


Is that dog years or human years? :mhcky21:

[kheidg-]

When do they begin to list the running tally of votes? Anyone know?

[jmcclain19]

I would think we could get a serious campaign going here on the site.

First off, you can vote electronically - via mlb.com's home page

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp

You can vote 50 times per email address - the nice thing this year is that, when you click vote again, it keeps all of your votes from the previous session intact, making it easier and quicker to blow thru your votes.

And BTW - I don't "condone" doing this - but yahoo, lycos, hotmail, mail.com - offer free email addresses... :)

[CougarQuest]

M2 I couldn't agree with you more. SERP unite, this is well deserved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[creek14]

SC and I grabbed about 500 ballots last night. Might have to do a little punching today at work. :)

[gonelong]

50 votes for Barry from the gonelong household. Spread the word. Lets get the old man one more game.

GL

[Super_Barry11]

Oh heck yeah!! This has been my personal mission for years, but this year it's even more vital!! GO BARRY GO!! :) All of my family and friends have been warned and threatened within an inch of their lives that they better vote for Barry, and vote often!! :p:

[KronoRed]

I'm in, off to vote about 250 times :D

[RedsMan3203]

No Doubt... Lets get Larkin, Casey, and JR!!! All 3 of them...


I know i have 200 people on my buddy list... so like 200 * max votes = Larkin, Casey and JR all stars lol :):):)

[creek14]

No Doubt... Lets get Larkin, Casey, and JR!!! All 3 of them...

Ummmmmmm, what about that guy who is third in the league in OBP and OPS and tied for third in HR's?

[KronoRed]

Ummmmmmm, what about that guy who is third in the league in OBP and OPS and tied for third in HR's?

You mean that Dunn guy? I dunno he strikes out too much ;)


:D I did a write in for Freel

[cumberlandreds]

I've put in my first 25 votes. I got about 75 more to go. Larkin,Casey and Dunn are the Reds I voted for.

[smith288]

I have my MLB.com all-star ballot up 24/7 and when I have a little time, I push yet another ballot through...

Voting multiple times makes me feel like a member of the DNC :help: :lol: (jk for those with no sense of humor)

[REDREAD]

If you're doing a lot of bulk voting, try to spread out your multiple votes over different computers/IP addresses if at all possible. We don't want Bud to catch on to us.

[RedsMan3203]

If you're doing a lot of bulk voting, try to spread out your multiple votes over different computers/IP addresses if at all possible. We don't want Bud to catch on to us.



He is prolly already watching us....

[RedsMan3203]

Ummmmmmm, what about that guy who is third in the league in OBP and OPS and tied for third in HR's?


Oh yeah.. Well duh... We are going to get him there tooo...

Shoot why don't we just get all the reds players there why we are at it.

[TeamBoone]

SC and I grabbed about 500 ballots last night. Might have to do a little punching today at work. :)

I meant to do that too! I'll have to remember to do it on Thursday.

And, just in case you don't live near a ML ballpark, after you've finished your online voting, you can also pick up ballots at your local WalMart store: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_press_release.jsp?ymd=20040520&content_id=748366&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp

[TeamBoone]

I have already used up all of my online votes for me, my wife, my 5 year old son, and my 8 month old son (both of which are 13 on MLB.com, since that is there age requirement :MandJ: ) So I know Larkin has at least 100 votes :thumbup:

Did you do this from one computer? I've tried entering different information but it still recognizes my computer and won't let me vote again.

What do families with multiple users do?

Anyway, please share your secret so the rest of us can follow suit.

[smith288]

Did you do this from one computer? I've tried entering different information but it still recognizes my computer and won't let me vote again.

What do families with multiple users do?

Anyway, please share your secret so the rest of us can follow suit.
Here is a hint Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, ISP mail... Lets me vote forever. I also have a web host that allows me to create 100+ email accounts. I could be a very busy man if I wanted to

[RedsMan3203]

Wow... i've spent the last 45 mins voting... 4 email addys done.... alot more to go :)

[TeamBoone]

Here is a hint Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, ISP mail... Lets me vote forever. I also have a web host that allows me to create 100+ email accounts. I could be a very busy man if I wanted to


I don't understand the email address thing... it never even asked for my email address... but it sure did recognize my computer. So, I'm still lost in regards to what you're trying to tell me.

PM me if you'd rather not post it on the board.

[RedsMan3203]

Well I voted for me, my brother, my dad, my mom, and my grandparents today so far... I'm in the process of looking up for family members to vote for them...

[TeamBoone]

Well I voted for me, my brother, my dad, my mom, and my grandparents today so far... I'm in the process of looking up for family members to vote for them...

Did you vote once for each of them or 25 times? All from the same computer?

I'm stumped.

[M2]

SC and I grabbed about 500 ballots last night. Might have to do a little punching today at work. :)

Exactly the right idea. Don't leave the ballpark without a backpack full of ballots. I'm trying to get some folks to grab a pile from Sox games for me so that I can submit them when I go.

And I'm all for people voting a full ballot, but it is easier if you just punch out one or a few holes on each one. Larkin's the guy who plays the position where the leaders will have low vote totals, meaning he's most likely the guy to whom we can give a serious bump.

[RedsMan3203]

Did you vote once for each of them or 25 times? All from the same computer?

I'm stumped.

All my votes were 25 times and from the same computer... I don't know what is going on with your computer...


Try your Internet Explorer... If your useing AOL you can run into problems.

[westofyou]

Controversy surrounded the 1957 outing as the fanatical Cincinnati voters stuffed the ballot boxes and elected their entire team (minus the batboy) onto the National League's starting roster. This upset Commissioner Ford Frick greatly and he responded by removing Gus Bell and Wally Post from the starting nine. He also transferred the responsibility for All-Star voting to the players, managers and coaches the next year.

http://baseball-almanac.com/asgbox/yr1957as.shtml

[smith288]

I dont think MLB minds stuffing the ballot box...all fans now have equal opportunity to stuff the ballot box so whoever has a more effective drive wins.

[red-in-la]

:evil: :evil: But M2, think what this will do to the stats....... :evil: :evil:

[Puffy]

Well, I just voted for Barry 50 times and when I get more time I have 50 more that I can throw his way. After that I will have to figure out a way to vote more for him. Oh, and i also voted for Casey, Junior and Jose Guillen all 50 times. If nothing else at least I am loyal.

[M2]

Controversy surrounded the 1957 outing as the fanatical Cincinnati voters stuffed the ballot boxes and elected their entire team (minus the batboy) onto the National League's starting roster. This upset Commissioner Ford Frick greatly and he responded by removing Gus Bell and Wally Post from the starting nine. He also transferred the responsibility for All-Star voting to the players, managers and coaches the next year.

I've always believed tradition is an essential part of the game of baseball. The BRM also enjoyed some healthy ballot box stuffing -- deservedly so, but it happened nonetheless. I submit that as Reds fans it's our duty to stuff the ballot box, just as our forefathers did.

Plus, this really is a case of you being able to do something for your team, most notably the guy who's spent his entire career playing his tail off for your team. IMO, we have it within our ability on Redszone to make the NL SS vote an extremely interesting contest.

[Chip R]

I've always believed tradition is an essential part of the game of baseball. The BRM also enjoyed some healthy ballot box stuffing -- deservedly so, but it happened nonetheless. I submit that as Reds fans it's our duty to stuff the ballot box, just as our forefathers did.

Plus, this really is a case of you being able to do something for your team, most notably the guy who's spent his entire career playing his tail off for your team. IMO, we have it within our ability on Redszone to make the NL SS vote an extremely interesting contest.
It would also show the power of SERP. :evil:

[RBA]

:thumbup: Plus 50 more votes for Barry Larkin. :thumbup:

[zombie-a-go-go]

150 more, here.

(and 150 more write-ins for Freel)

[TeamBoone]

Finally, I figured out what I was doing wrong. :screwy:

Thanks guys.

[REDREAD]

I dont think MLB minds stuffing the ballot box...all fans now have equal opportunity to stuff the ballot box so whoever has a more effective drive wins.

True, but I'm thinking of the case a couple years ago (?) when some guy in Boston managed to vote for Nomar Garricaparra like 200,000 times online..
They ended up negating all his votes.

[Redsland]

We're talking about multiple people here, though. And we're a far cry from 200,000 votes.

[M2]

We're talking about multiple people here, though. And we're a far cry from 200,000 votes.

Exactly, no way they can net an entire conspiracy.

[Big Klu]

If Larkin is not voted onto the All-Star squad, will the presence of Jack McKeon as the manager help or hinder his chances of being named as a non-starter?

[REDREAD]

We're talking about multiple people here, though. And we're a far cry from 200,000 votes.

Yeah, I know.. I just meant if someone was ambitious enough to do a 100k
votes, it's something to keep in mind.

For example, I could write a loadrunner script that could pound the site with votes (I imagine the guy in Boston did something similiar) But I imagine that
would be detected (I've thought about it though :evil: ).

I agree with you, I doubt they notice even a thousand from one PC.

[Puffy]

Another 50 for Barry, Casey, Griffey, Dunn and Jose Guillen.

Lets hope all our hard work pays off cause Larkin deserves it.

[RedsMan3203]

Finally, I figured out what I was doing wrong. :screwy:

Thanks guys.


Good! :thumbup:


What were u doing?

[RBA]

Every RedsZoner needs to give Larkin another 50 by the morning for his performance tonight. I know he had a error. But he also sparked the team.

[TeamBoone]

Good! :thumbup:


What were u doing?

I just plain wasn't reading! Doh! :eek:

[Redsfaithful]

I think this is a great idea. I voted online, and I'll be voting tomorrow night at the ballpark. For what its worth I also put a plea up on my website pointing to this thread and asking people to vote for Barry. Nice work on coming up with the project M2!

[Edd Roush]

I have got some of my friends at Moeller to vote for Larkin on our laptops :GAC:. I have put down at least 100 and plan on putting at least another 100. GO B-Lark :larkin: :pray:

[Yachtzee]

Add another 100 to the total for Barry, Sean and the rest of the Reds lineup! (Write in votes for Ryan Freel at 3B).

:casey: :larkin: :creek14: :griffey: :kearns: :larue: (need :freel: )

I just hope Barry doesn't get beat out by Kaz Matsui...or Jasmine Trias. :)

[awall]

Didn't this sort of thing happen in the 70's when they put ballots in the enquirer and dayton daily, causing them to stop printing them?

[TeamCasey]

I just plain wasn't reading! Doh! :eek:

That's a shocker. :D

If they read the directions out loud, I betcha you wouldn't listen either. ;) :MandJ:

[TeamCasey]

I did one email address. I only have one more that I don't mind getting junk mail in. The real ones are off limits. :)

[awall]

nevermind, i missed the post above me

[RosieRed]

I've done 50 so far, and plan to more later. :thumbup:

[RedsMan3203]

Need to gather me up some email addys... i'll be working on getting some more in soon.

[Edd Roush]

Do the e-mail addresses have to be real?

[Puffy]

another 25 - I'm up to 125 thus far, but now I am struggling to find others email addresses that I can use.

Never fear though, I will find more email addresses! Viva la Larkin

[Chip R]

Question: Will it tell you if you have voted over 25 times? I think I have for one e-mail address but it keeps letting me vote. Am I wasting my time or do I need to use a new e-mail address?

[Puffy]

Question: Will it tell you if you have voted over 25 times? I think I have for one e-mail address but it keeps letting me vote. Am I wasting my time or do I need to use a new e-mail address?

It tells you - it won't let you past the verification screen anymore once you reach 25.

Maybe your just overestimating yourself Chip - kinda like I do when I'm with a woman ("what do you mean I wasn't great?") :evil:

[Chip R]

Thanks. I swear I've voted at least 25 times under that e-mail address but if Bud doesn't think so then who am I to argue with him? :) Heh. Just tried it once more and it gave me the message.

[flyerette]

I punched a stackload at the game today - hopefully hanging chads are allowed!

[Redsland]

Done.

[the_one_ck]

There is 75 votes from me for the whole Reds team. LOL With Freel as a write in for 3B...

[RedsMan3203]

Anyone know when the vote counts will be realsed?

[reds44]

Any vote updates yet?

[the_one_ck]

Anyone know when the vote counts will be realsed?

I believe the NL will be reveiled for the first time this Wednesday and the AL the day before on Tuesday...

[REDREAD]

voting update :(

Shortstop
Player Name Team Total Votes
1. Everett, A. Astros 302,310
2. Renteria, E. Cardinals 297,291
3. Matsui, K. Mets 217,749
4. Gonzalez, A. Cubs 200,053
5. Furcal, R. Braves 173,458

Come on guys, we need to stuff more..

[REDREAD]

In case you want the entire all star list, here it is:

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20040601&content_id=758236&vkey=allstar2004&fext=.jsp

Jr is in third for OF, Casey is 5th among 1b.

[Unassisted]

My son and I went to the last 2 games of the Texas series and between us, we punched over 200 of those ballots for Larkin, Griffey, and Casey. My son was determined to vote for as many Reds as he could, so Larson, LaRue, D'Lo, Dunn and Kearns will benefit as well. We left many chads behind at GABP. :D

[Cedric]

I grabbed a HUGE handful of all star ballots after each game this series. Behind rightfield they had a big brown box filled with ballots and I just took about 500 total.

[M2]

I grabbed a HUGE handful of all star ballots after each game this series. Behind rightfield they had a big brown box filled with ballots and I just took about 500 total.

Ced rules!

Everyone take note, this is how you stuff the ballot box.

I would note that Larkin's clearly having a better season than the two guys leading the NL SS voting. It's our DUTY to get him in there.

[Chip R]

This last homestand sure couldn't hurt Barry's chances any. Not to mention Jr.'s.

[Unassisted]

There are big cardboard boxes full of ballots sitting next to the ballot kiosk at the main gate. No one will prevent you from helping yourself to as many ballots as you care to take. I visited that kiosk for more ballots several times.

The attendants at Club 4192 actually thanked me today when they saw me jamming a 3-inch high stack of punched ballots into the ballot box. :thumbup:

Another possibility would be to grab a big stack of ballots at the ballpark. Then, punch 'em at home and turn 'em in at WalMart.