Despite a a solid first half to the 2009 season, Angels third baseman Chone Figgins will not be headed to St. Louis for the 80th annual All-Star Game after finishing finished third in the Sprint Final Vote behind Detroit’s Brandon Inge and Texas’s Ian Kinsler.

“I really wanted to win and go to the All-Star Game representing my team, I can’t deny that,” Figgins said in a story published on MLB.com. “But it didn’t happen, and I congratulate Inge. There are a lot of good third basemen in our league, and he’s one of them.

“I want to thank the organization and all the fans for voting for me, and I especially thank my teammates and their families for getting behind me. It really means a lot knowing it was so important to those people who are closest to you. In a way, that’s just as meaningful as winning and going to the All-Star Game.

“Maybe my time will come soon. It’s definitely a goal of mine, along with the biggest goal — winning a World [Series] championship again.”

It’s a shame Figgins did not receive an invite to the Gateway City, because he certainly posted some all-star numbers over the first half of the season. As of Thursday, Figgins was leading the AL in runs scored (63) and also holds the highest on-base percentage (.395) among all leadoff hitters in the Majors. Additionally, he is ranked ninth in the American League in batting average (.310), 10th in hits (99) and fourth in steals (24). But it doesn’t stop there. His defense has been called Gold Glove caliber by his manager Mike Scioscia and many others, who watch on a daily basis.

“I really thought Figgy was going to make the All-Star team,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia told MLB.com. “It’s disappointing. There are always guys who deserve to be there, and he’s one of them this year.”

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