MLB All-Star Game

I feel that I need to add a disclaimer to my first post about Major League Baseball. I am a relative new comer to MLB and I am still trying to decipher some of the idiosyncrasies of the sport. Keep that in mind as I stumble over myself on this topic.

So the all-star break is here and I am wondering if I really care. According to the MLB, it is the most exciting thing to ever happen in the baseball season to date. To me it is just an interruption in the season that means that I can’t continue to watch my favorite team slip further into oblivion. Here is my issues with the all-star game:

• Fan Voting - It seems all the sports all-star games have gone to this. The vast majority of fans do not follow the sport closely enough to make a fair and unbiased judgement.
• A meaningless game held in the middle of the season - So the conference winner determines homefield advantage for the World Series. While not as violent or physical as football, there is still a chance for injury. Also, if you ask me, pitchers only have a certain amount of pitches in them. Why use it on a meaningless game?
• Every team has to be represented - Is this tee-ball? Quite frankly, some teams don’t put a good enough product on the field to have any player be considered as an all star. I would be embarrassed to be the “token” representation of my team.

I was listening to a local sports station this morning that was talking about the continuing decline in the ratings for the All-Star game. He pointed out the fact that way back when, before continuous TV coverage, highlight shows and the instantaneous nature of the web, the all-star game did serve a purpose. It was a chance for Major League Baseball to showcase all of its premier talent in a single game that could be televised to a national audience.

That is a great explanation, but in my opinion we just don’t need it anymore. I like to honor the players that have stood out during a season, but requiring them to play another game seems a bit silly in this modern day. So, Mr. Selig, I recommend that MLB select all-stars through media, coaches and players at the end of the season. (How can you vote for someone that is only halfway through?) Have an awards banquet if you want to do something, but do away with the game.