The fans came out in droves on Tuesday night as the American League took down the National League by the final score of 3-0 in the 83rd Major League All-Star Game. You might be thinking that I’ve gone crazy and have difficulty doing math based on the fact that the All-Star Game has been played for 71 years, but those of you who think that are forgetting that MLB played two All-Star Games from 1959-1962. Tuesday’s game marked the first time the AL has won the midsummer classic since 2009, and with that, the winner of the American League Championship Series will hold the rights to host the 109th World Series. Most of you should know the story as to how this “right” to host the World Series came about, but for those of you who have been out the loop for the last decade or so, I’ll bring you up to speed.
In 2002 the 72nd All-Star Game at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was halted after 11 innings and left at a 7-7 stalemate due to the fact that managers Joe Torre (AL) and Bob Brenly (NL) had used up all of their pitchers, a problem that could have been fixed had the likes of Byung-Hung Kim and Kazuhiro Sasaki not been allowed anywhere near the stadium. But alas, with the NL down to Vicente Padilla and the AL with Freddy Garcia left, Brenly, Torre and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig had a pow-wow to discuss hat would happen next. Due to the fact that the game is an exhibition game and the results didn’t matter, Selig concluded that if no one scored at the end of the 11th inning that the game would end in a tie; a bold move by a guy who once owned the team who was hosting the event.
Needless to say, the fans in attendance felt the exact opposite of Selig and let him have it with boos and jeers of, “Refund!” “Let them play!” and “Bud must go!” as beer bottles were then hurled onto the field as the game concluded. Selig, never wanting to have to deal with this sort of embarrassing punishment again, installed a rule that whomever won the All-Star Game would own the right to host the World Series, despite the losing league’s team possibly having the better record, which had always been the original host. But here we are, 11 years later, and we’re still playing this game as if it actually matters.
The funny thing about the MLB All-Star game is that it’s really the only one of the major five sports (Major League Soccer included) that can’t be faked or played lazily, unless of course a pitcher is looking to give up bombs to the opposing team. With all of the other sports the athletes can choose to not play defense or showboat offensively, but in baseball the game is played the same way day in, and day out.
Therefore, there was never a need to add an additional reward to whomever won. Basically, all that really needed to be done was that Selig and the managers of each league needed to have a discussion before all future All-Star games to form a pact that pitchers will be used sparingly. Yes, it would be nice if all the players could get some time on the field during this special occasion; however, the reality is that most players being put in late in the game are hardly the guys anyone wanted to see, let alone be used. Whether a guy is called into the game or not he receives his bonus check, just like ever other game they play during the regular season and playoffs. So I ask, what other incentive do any of these other guys have by coming off the bench? Pride? Attention? Any answer could really fit, but you’d really need to ask the players themselves.
As much as I love watching the All-Star Game every season it’s hard to shake the tagline that has plagued it since the folly in 2002, “This time it counts,” as if we need any additional reminder of how botched up things has gotten at one point to turn it into some kind of a sad sequel to an action movie. The time has come to end this nightmare and just get back to what really matters, winning and losing during the regular season the playoffs. I’m fully aware of the fact that baseball games aren’t supposed to end in a tie, but so what. This particular matchup is supposed to be fun. The “this time it counts” mentality for put to the real test in 2008 when the AL beat the NL at Yankee Stadium to the tune of 4-3, but only after the lasted 15 innings. Can you imagine the flack that MLB would have gotten had someone gotten hurt, as this does seem to be the biggest argument?
The reality that we all need to face, as sad as it sounds, is that the All-Star Game has no real value other than added revenue for whomever is hosting the event and a way for companies like New Era, Majestic Apparel, Nike, etc. to print and sell more merchandise while fans can see all of their favorite players under one roof. There really is no need to be playing the game during the middle of the season as the event can take place at the end of the season, as to avoid any issues which may hinder a player’s abilities as their respective team makes a run for the playoffs; just like the Pro Bowl with the National Football League.
In fact, if cold weather becomes and issue for this, just have the All-Star Game played in warmer climates, just like the NFL does for the Super Bowl, or even have it played in a stadium with a dome. There are so many other options that can be taken with this. Personally, I say let them go for up to 15 innings, a tie for the longest games (2008 and 1967) and if a winner doesn’t come out, then just let it be. It’s not like the fate of the world is resting on there being a perfect outcome.