White Sox pitcher Chris Sale wins AL Final Vote

Jun 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

It took a little longer than it should have, but Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale is now an American League All-Star for the third consecutive season.

Sale was the winner of the fans’ Final Vote contest for the AL, while Anthony Rizzo of Chicago Cubs was the National League winner.

For the White Sox, they have won the final vote contest four times in the past 10 seasons, with Scott Podsednik (’05), A.J. Pierzynski (’06) and Paul Konerko (’11).

The final vote began on Sunday evening and ended Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. Sale was the winning pitcher of the All-Star game last year, pitching one inning.

This season, Sale is 8-1 with an 8-1 record and 102 strikeouts. He has a MLB-leading WHIP of 0.84.

Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell passed on Sale twice this week to add him to the AL roster, first by not initially selecting him and later passing on Sale when Masahiro Tanaka was placed on the disabled list.

Sale is more than deserving to make the All-Star game for the third time. He should have been initially placed on the roster this past Sunday, but at least he is officially an All-Star.

This gives the White Sox three All-Stars this season, with Sale joining first time All-Stars Jose Abreu (first base) and Alexei Ramirez (shortstop).

Abreu has a .286 batting average with 28 home runs and 71 RBIs. Ramirez is batting .278 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs.