The Detroit Tigers tried their best to get Victor Martinez voted into the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, but their campaign came up short. Despite Justin Verlander and even Martinez's son doing their part in the "Vote Victor" campaign, Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko won the final vote for the American League.
Konerko ended up finishing with 8.4 million votes from fans. Martinez finished second and nearly edged out Konerko in the voting thanks to a "furious charge" on Thursday, the final day fans could vote.
For the National League, Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino won the final vote. The Phillies and Tigers actually partnered in order to get fans of both teams to vote for Victorino and Martinez, but the campaign was a success for only Philadelphia.
Although Martinez will not be going to the All-Star Game, the Tigers will still be represented in Arizona by Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, Jose Valverde and Alex Avila, who will start for the American League.