Jake Peavy knows what hes up against in the MLB All-Star Game Final Vote. In what can be considered a two-player race for the American League winner, its Peavy and White Sox fans against Yu Darvish, who not only draws Texas Rangers fans, but the entire nation of Japan.
Despite the White Sox impressive public relations efforts, thats a pretty daunting disadvantage to overcome before voting ends today at 3 p.m.
Its almost like going against Elvis Presley on American Idol, Peavy said Thursday before the White Sox series finale against the Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field. Voting against Japans biggest star, we understood what was going on.
What has been going on has been a lot of fun for Peavy, though he said being promoted as an individual makes him uncomfortable. And the White Sox have gone all out in promoting him.
From a series of videos to the takejake hashtag campaign on Twitter with matching TakeJake T-shirts to an onfield plea from Chris Sale on Wednesday, Peavy has become the center of attention on the South Side and beyond.
Its humbling, it really is, Peavy said. Its uncomfortable to ever promote yourself in anything you do, and I certainly made that clear to them from the get-go. But its been overwhelming to see the support.
The latest promotional video played on the U.S. Cellular Field videoboard prior to Wednesdays game featured Gordon Beckham impersonating Peavy. Though the voice wasnt perfect, Beckham captured many of Peavys mannerisms and catch phrases in the 2-minute video.
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Peavy hadnt seen the video ahead of time, but has heard plenty about it since its airing.
Everybody I know on Twitter or who follows me has commented on Gordon, Peavy said. Everybodys having fun with it, from us to the fans to the front office.
Peavy has repeatedly said its an honor to be considered for the All-Star Game, which is Tuesday in Kansas City. If hes able to beat out Darvish it would be his third such trip to the Midsummer Classic, and first in the American League.
Just to be in consideration for the All-Star Game with all Ive been through here, it means a lot to me to ever be back in this position again.