Should Gunnar Henderson be the starting shortstop in the All-Star Game? / MAILBAG

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.

Question: Several of the ESPN talking heads are touting others for All Star shortstop. I’m shocked it’s not universally Gunnar Henderson. Am I drinking the Kool-Aid or are there others more deserving? Thanks. From: Ira Cooke

Answer: Ira sent this before the early voting totals for the All-Star Game balloting were released. Henderson leads Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals by about 200,000 votes.

No, you’re not being a homer, Ira, but Bobby Witt is a fabulous player, too, and his stats are close to Henderson’s, but I would pick Henderson. I get to watch him play all the time, and I’ve only seen Witt three times this season, but Henderson’s impact on the Orioles is enormous.

Just because a reporter or analyst suggests there are other worthy players isn’t an insult to Henderson. Anthony Volpe of the New York Yankees, who’s third in the voting, is also a worthy choice.

In the end, it’s a popularity contest, and it has the fans involved, and that’s a good thing. I’d be surprised if Henderson isn’t starting the All-Star Game at shortstop.

 Question: How does Orioles attendance compare this year to 2023? From: Fran Hastings

Answer: Fran, the Orioles are averaging 27,583 fans. They’re scheduled to have 80 home dates. The current projected attendance is 2.206,640, which would be an increase of about 270,000 over last year’s 1,936,798.