Midseason Classic?
Can't say that was the most entertaining All-Star Game I've ever watched, but at least future Oriole Prince Fielder had a big night. The thing that stood out for me was the number of very good and very bad defensive plays.
Jose Bautista's catch was a true Web Gem. Matt Wieters' passed ball wasn't pretty, but I'm fairly sure he got crossed up, since he went to the wrong knee on the pitch and couldn't cross over to reach the ball. Oh well, I'm sure he had a great time anyway and he'll have a lot more chances to make a big All-Star impression.
Here's a prediction: The Phillies will win the World Series because they sent their best starters to this game while C.C. Sabathia and several other top A.L. pitchers did not post. There's probably a lesson in there somewhere, but it just reminds me that the sports' championship series should not be impacted by the sport's highly commercialized midseason exhibition game.
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Comments
I knew the All-star game had lost its luster when i saw somebody named Robertson pitching for the AL in the 2nd inning. I understand including middle relievers if you want to win a game, but it's an all-star game. We shouldnt be saying who's that guy?
Posted by: mikepcfl | July 13, 2011 7:59 AM
I'm gonna have to disagree with you Pete.
Taking the 64(?) best players in all of baseball and having them compete for home-field advantage seems perfect. The contending teams generally have more than one representative since they have the most to gain and have performed the best to the mid-season classic....if they show up. Commercialized as it maybe, it works for me.
Have they always used a DH in the Mid-Season Classic?
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Pete's reply: I don't believe so. I would not have a problem if it were the best 50 players and there was some way of fairly determining that. The way it is now, you've got ballot-box stuffing for the starting lineup and a highly-charged campaign fo pick the final slots that actually rewards people for voting 25 times. Throw in the fact that you have to have one player from each team and I'm left not wanting a guy essentially won a contest possibly deciding who will win the World Series.
Posted by: paulie | July 13, 2011 12:06 PM
I guess I'm in the minority but the only thing Bud Selig has done that I agree with is giving home field adv. to the winner of the All Star game. It's not like they used to give the home field to the best team prior to this change. I believe they used to just alternate between the two leagues so at least this is an improvement. Bud the used car salesman is still a jerk. I thought he was just an interim commish and he's been there forever.
Posted by: Allen | July 13, 2011 11:44 PM
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers.[1] The All-Star Game usually occurs on the second Tuesday in July and marks the symbolic halfway point in the Major League Baseball (MLB) season. The game is usually played on a Tuesday, with no regular-season games scheduled on the day before or the day after. From 1959 to 1962, two All-Star Games were held each season, but this format was abandoned. Players usually wear their own team uniforms.
Posted by: ola jordans | July 14, 2011 7:47 AM
The All-Star game has become altogether irrelevant and BORING. Even the players selected want to bail out of participating in the All-Star Game.
Posted by: Charles | July 15, 2011 3:38 PM