'Doosan 9→3, LG 5→1': Fans vs. Players' Vote for No. 1 — Who Is the True 'All-Star'? [Shin Hwa-seop's Sports Inside]

*This content was translated by AI.

In the 2026 KBO All-Star Game (July 11 at Seoul Jamsil Stadium) Best 12 roster announced by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on the 24th, the No. 1 finishers in fan and players' votes differed in nearly half of the positions.

This year's Best 12 was selected based on a total score combining 70% from fan votes conducted from the 3rd to the 23rd via the KBO website and other channels, and 30% from players' votes. The number of fan votes reached a record high of 4,968,276, an increase of about 41% compared to last year's 3,529,258 votes, proving the KBO League's immense popularity.

Among the 24th Best 12 players (12 each for Dream and Na-mu All-Stars), a total of 13 players (6 in Dream, 7 in Na-mu) finished No. 1 in both fan and players' votes (with outfielders ranked within the top 3).

In contrast, five players were selected for the Best 12 based on the highest number of fan votes despite not finishing No. 1 in the players' vote: Lee Young-ha, Park Chan-ho, and Jung Soobin (all from Doosan) in Dream, and Park Hae-min (LG) and Park Jae-hyun (KIA) in Na-mu. They can be said to have earned their spot on the All-Star stage thanks to the fans' enthusiastic support.

Conversely, five players were selected based on receiving the most votes from players despite not finishing No. 1 in the fan vote: Choi Won-jun (KT) and Choi Hyung-woo (Samsung) in Dream, and Olle (KIA) and Park Min-woo and Kim Joo-won (both from NC) in Na-mu. They were recognized as the top players by their peers who directly compete against them on the field.

An unusual result emerged in the Dream All-Stars' middle infielder category. While Kim Jeong-woo (Doosan) finished No. 1 in the fan vote and Moon Seung-won (SSG) No. 1 in the players' vote, Lee Seung-min (Samsung), who ranked second in both categories, ultimately secured the All-Star honor based on the combined total score.

It is also interesting to examine the number of players from each club in the Best 12 by breaking down the total score, fan votes, and players' votes. Based on the total score, Doosan led the Dream team with six players, while KIA led the Na-mu team with five players.

Looking solely at fan votes, Doosan, which uses Jamsil Stadium — the venue for this year's All-Star Game — as its home field, secured nine players, followed by LG with five, placing them first and second. In contrast, in the players' vote, KIA and Hanwha tied for the most with four players each. Doosan had three, and LG had one, showing a stark difference from the fan vote results.

There is no definitive answer to whether the No. 1 finisher in fan votes or players' votes represents the truer All-Star. Professional sports cannot exist without fans, and a true star must possess fundamental skills. Perhaps that is why the All-Star Game, a stage only players who combine popularity and skill can reach, is called a 'feast of stars.'

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*This content was translated by AI.