Pam Richter
The MLB All-star game is quickly approaching. As always there will be interesting story lines to follow, including the Homerun derby.
But, let's take a few minutes now to reminisce about the good ole MLB All-star game.
Remember when the game actually didn't count for something? I sure do. Now, the league who wins the MLB All-star game wins home field advantage for the World Series.
A fun, relaxed event counts now for something. It's a game for the fans. That's why they have the fans vote right?
No longer are the days when MLB managers would put every player in so he could at least make an appearance. Fans for the Royals and Nationals would be able to see their guy on the national stage, which is probably the only time that will happen.
I know it's not a new rule and it has been in place for a little while, but it is something that still irritates me. They surround the All-star game around fans, but instead put pressure on the players to perform.
As a fan I don't want to see the players be competitive. I want to see them relaxed without any pressure.
Remember in Milwaukee, when the last time the game was played for fun? Barry Bonds jokingly picked up Tori Hunter, after Hunter robbed Bonds of a homerun, that would have secured a National League victory.
There was joking and laughter and most importantly no pressure.
The game ended in a tie. As a huge baseball fan, I didn't care. It's an exhibition game. Why does it matter if it ends in a tie?
Why does everything have to count? Isn't it enough for the MLB All-star game to matter to the fans, with no greater implication?
Obviously for Bud Selig and the rest of the MLB executives, a fan-friendly game is not enough.
For the fans, a game that doesn't matter, with all the stars on the field is actually enough.