No, the title of this post has nothing to do with the quality of thoughts that you’ll find here. \u00c2\u00a0With the All-Star Game this evening, it seemed a good time to talk about my thoughts on the game. \u00c2\u00a0I probably have done that before, but it’s always good to rehash and rethinking things. \u00c2\u00a0Below are my opinions on the game–your thoughts or disagreements are always welcome in the comments.<\/p>\n
First off, I’ve always been a fan of the All-Star Game. \u00c2\u00a0I still have a fairly complete set of the games from 1989 to roughly 2000 or so sitting around my house, though on VHS tapes that I no longer have a method of watching. \u00c2\u00a0Perhaps due to that focus, it’s always been something I was fairly passionate about, at least when it comes to the general talking points.<\/p>\n
Let’s lead off with the obvious:\u00c2\u00a0the game should not count<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0I watched the 2002 All-Star Game, held in Bud Selig’s stadium. \u00c2\u00a0If that tie happens anywhere else, I’m not sure Selig has the passion to push “This Time It Counts”, but being embarrassed in “his” game spurred him to do something, anything, to make it look less of a fiasco.<\/p>\n And yet, the problem wasn’t that the game didn’t mean anything. \u00c2\u00a0The problem wasn’t that the players didn’t want to win, though I’m sure they didn’t (and, honestly, still probably do) have that deep and abiding passion to win at any costs. \u00c2\u00a0The biggest problem was that the managers decided to run everyone in there, not worrying about the future. \u00c2\u00a0As I read somewhere–VEB, I believe–Matt Morris<\/a><\/strong> was in the NL dugout unused. \u00c2\u00a0He wasn’t technically on the roster, but it’s an exhibition. \u00c2\u00a0There probably was an AL pitcher in the park somewhere as a spectator. \u00c2\u00a0Be creative if you have to be.<\/p>\n It really runs back to\u00c2\u00a0Cito Gaston<\/a><\/strong> and\u00c2\u00a0Mike Mussina<\/a><\/strong>, in my mind. \u00c2\u00a0Mussina was the hometown representative when Baltimore held the All-Star Game in 1993, but Gaston never got him into the game, creating unrest in the crowd who booed the manager. \u00c2\u00a0After that, it seemed that managers had to get everyone into the game. \u00c2\u00a0That, more than anything, has damaged the game.<\/p>\n Besides, has it really mattered? \u00c2\u00a0Let’s look at the World Series since this has been in place. \u00c2\u00a0We’ll designate visiting team as the team that lost the ASG.<\/p>\n 2003–Visiting team won in 6 So we see that the home-field advantage, which is smaller in baseball than in any other sport, really hasn’t played out. \u00c2\u00a0There hasn’t been a Game 7 in the Series since 2001, and as quickly as a lot of these series were over, I doubt the fact that the AL team (save last year) got to start at home really made a difference. \u00c2\u00a0Cardinal fans might argue differently about 2004, but saying that the Series keyed completely on that first game is a tough sell.<\/p>\n Secondly,\u00c2\u00a0the fans should always be allowed to vote for the starters<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0Are they going to get it “right” all the time? \u00c2\u00a0Of course not. \u00c2\u00a0Are they going to vote based on name recognition rather than advanced sabermetrics? \u00c2\u00a0Most definitely. \u00c2\u00a0However, this is the fan’s game. \u00c2\u00a0The fan spends their money and their time all season long. \u00c2\u00a0Without them, there is no game. \u00c2\u00a0The least they should get is one game where they get to be “in charge”, even if it is only a little bit. \u00c2\u00a0Allow the players and managers to make up the rest of the rosters–that’s great. \u00c2\u00a0It helps rectify injustices and get deserving players on the roster. \u00c2\u00a0Just leave the starting selection with the fans.<\/p>\n To tie both of those together, the starters should play a majority of the game<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0That’s who the fans have explicitly stated they want to see. \u00c2\u00a0For example, tonight\u00c2\u00a0Prince Fielder<\/a><\/strong> should play five or six innings, with\u00c2\u00a0Joey Votto<\/a><\/strong> coming in around then (and\u00c2\u00a0Gaby Sanchez<\/a><\/strong> used as a pinch hitter, most likely). \u00c2\u00a0The fans didn’t vote Fielder in to see him take one at-bat, maybe two, and sit the rest of the game. \u00c2\u00a0They voted to see him play and they should get to see him longer than a brief cameo.<\/p>\n Both of those reasons reinforce the first, that the game should not count. \u00c2\u00a0If the fans do something like put\u00c2\u00a0Derek Jeter<\/a><\/strong> in the starting lineup, he should play according to my rules. \u00c2\u00a0But that’s not giving the AL the best chance to win, is it? \u00c2\u00a0Don’t put something on the line when you can’t guarantee the best of lineups, whether due to voting or injuries.<\/p>\n So, when you think of this logically, the next step is to\u00c2\u00a0let players know they may not play<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0Are we hurt as a society if the sole representative of the Marlins doesn’t play? \u00c2\u00a0I think we can make it. \u00c2\u00a0Granted, if the game starts to get lopsided, feel free to start running players in and out. But if it’s a 2-1 game in the seventh, do you really want\u00c2\u00a0Howie Kendrick<\/a><\/strong> batting for\u00c2\u00a0Robinson Cano<\/a><\/strong>?<\/p>\n The point has been made before, but you remember\u00c2\u00a0the All-Star highlight<\/a> that we’ve been talking about around here, voting for\u00c2\u00a0Stan Musial<\/a><\/strong> to win MLB’s little contest (and I guess the winner will be revealed tonight on the broadcast). \u00c2\u00a0That home run was an extra-inning shot, but Musial started the game. \u00c2\u00a0He played the whole thing, and that was expected back then. \u00c2\u00a0You really got to see the legends play and that allowed them to make magical moments.<\/p>\n I do have one caveat to the above and that is\u00c2\u00a0hometown players should get into the game<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0That doesn’t necessarily mean just the players tied to that team. \u00c2\u00a0For example, you want to see all the Diamondbacks get into the action tonight, but the AL should (if he was there) get someone like\u00c2\u00a0Mark Reynolds<\/a><\/strong>, a former Diamondback who is still a favorite in the area, at least an at-bat. \u00c2\u00a0The All-Star Game only comes around once every 40 or so years, usually, so the fans should have a chance to give their local faves a warm reception.<\/p>\n I do want to make it clear, though, that I believe that\u00c2\u00a0every team should have a representative<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0First off, do we really want an AL team that is 85% Yankees and Red Sox? \u00c2\u00a0Is that what this game is about? \u00c2\u00a0I think no one outside of the Northeast wants to see that.<\/p>\n Secondly, though, it’s about including all fans. \u00c2\u00a0When I was younger, I was blessed to know that\u00c2\u00a0Ozzie Smith<\/a><\/strong> was going to be starting in the game. \u00c2\u00a0I never had to worry too much about waiting for that one at-bat or if the Cardinal rep would just be a defensive replacement. \u00c2\u00a0After Ozzie (and before\u00c2\u00a0Albert Pujols<\/a><\/strong>, of course), there were some lean years. \u00c2\u00a0Still, though, you knew that there would be a Cardinal when they introduced the players. \u00c2\u00a0Just seeing that red hat with the STL on it was enough to make me happy and it was always fun to see them finally get into the game.<\/p>\n I don’t think we should deny that feeling to any fan base. \u00c2\u00a0Sure, if I have my way it’s less likely that they’ll actually see their player get into the game, but they will still be there during introductions, still have that moment of happiness. \u00c2\u00a0It’s the right thing to do.<\/p>\n Finally,\u00c2\u00a0get rid of the DH for the All-Star Game<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0Of course, I’m one that would get rid of the DH completely, but that’s another story. \u00c2\u00a0(Gotta approve of\u00c2\u00a0Lance Berkman<\/a><\/strong>‘s\u00c2\u00a0stance on the issue<\/a>, though.) \u00c2\u00a0Just another sign of the creeping destruction of the game, now they are using the DH in National League parks. \u00c2\u00a0How wrong is that? \u00c2\u00a0At least they used to respect the rules of the home team. \u00c2\u00a0Not anymore.<\/p>\n Anyway, the DH was designed to improve offense, right? \u00c2\u00a0Is this really a need in an ALL-STAR GAME? \u00c2\u00a0I mean, you’ve already got the best of the best, supposedly. \u00c2\u00a0You need to juice that up a bit<\/p>\n ?Besides, are pitchers ever going to hit in this game? \u00c2\u00a0As much as it would be great to see the game go back to what it was just 20 years ago, with the starting pitcher going three innings, that’s not likely to happen. \u00c2\u00a0So if you are already always using that slot to get a new pinch hitter in, why do you need a DH? \u00c2\u00a0Let\u00c2\u00a0David Ortiz<\/a><\/strong> pinch-hit–he’s only going to get a couple at bats at the most anyway, so it’s not like you are really shortchanging him.<\/p>\n I’ll watch some of the game tonight. \u00c2\u00a0With\u00c2\u00a0Matt Holliday<\/a><\/strong> and Berkman in the starting lineup, the only suspense will be figuring out when\u00c2\u00a0Yadier Molina<\/a><\/strong> will come into the action. \u00c2\u00a0(BTW, questions about last night: Which of them came up with the idea of Molina throwing to Holliday? \u00c2\u00a0And how did that conversation go? \u00c2\u00a0Thought it was neat, though.) \u00c2\u00a0Hopefully the National League can start a nice streak.<\/p>\n Before we head off, though, let’s look in on what is happening with the Cardinals. \u00c2\u00a0Joe Strauss has an article today saying that John Mozeliak\u00c2\u00a0is planning his moves for the next 19 days<\/a>. \u00c2\u00a0While Mozeliak never says anything of the sort, Strauss expresses the idea that the Cards might be more willing to ship off\u00c2\u00a0Colby Rasmus<\/a><\/strong> and that they might match up with Tampa Bay for some pitching. \u00c2\u00a0If Strauss’s writing is accurate, it does seem that the club is considering moving\u00c2\u00a0Kyle McClellan<\/a><\/strong> back to the pen if they can get another starter. \u00c2\u00a0Their\u00c2\u00a0trade chips are limited<\/a>, so it should be interesting to see in the coming days!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" No, the title of this post has nothing to do with the quality of thoughts that you’ll find here. \u00c2\u00a0With the All-Star Game this evening, it seemed a good time to talk about my thoughts on the game. \u00c2\u00a0I probably have done that before, but it’s always good to rehash and rethinking things. \u00c2\u00a0Below are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":347,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/347"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15224"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15224\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n2004–Home team won in 4
\n2005–Home team won in 4
\n2006–Visiting team won in 5
\n2007–Home team won in 4
\n2008–Visiting team won in 5
\n2009–Home team won in 6
\n2010–Home team won in 5<\/p>\n