All Star Games

Wow, those warm nuts and brewsky are settling down in my tummy, as are my emotions.  Deep breath Ed …

Brad and I had a discussion a day or two ago regarding the MLB All-Star Game.  This post won’t be nearly as entertaining because generally Brad and I agreed.  But it wasn’t without some divergent views that ultimately led to a general agreement. 

But since I have a few more hours of flying time left I might as well document it and hopefully spark some banter.  Yes, I’m inviting the inputs of my brothers again. 

The premise of the discussion is why are their All-Star games and why are they cast as games that matter when really they aren’t.  They are simply a parade of the most popular players (not the best, mind you) who act like they care who wins.  And Brad’s question was why does MLB actually try to make the game meaningful by providing the winning league’s World Series participant a huge home field advantage?  He thinks that’s ludicrous.  At his peak he said that all All-Star games in all professional sports should be stopped.  That’s where our opinions diverged, but only momentarily. 

We were able to agree that if All-Star games did continue they should be cast for what they are … spectacles for fans who want to come see their favorites – not really a game.  Instead provide the gimmicks (dunk contest, home run derby, etc.) and quit acting or suggesting the game matters.

You see, for some reason I tend to get defensive whenever someone negatively references our national sport.  Yes, it’s still our national sport.  Fading yes, but still America’s sport.  Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie baby!  A few weeks ago I caught a documentary of sorts about baseball while the Royals game was being delayed by rain.  Some of the historians of the game (players, sportscasters, coaches, etc.) were talking about how you can’t separate the history of America with baseball.  One of many powerful examples they gave of this was “Before America successfully broke the color barrier, Baseball did”.  I’m sorry but the Amstel Light (second one) in keeping me from remembering any other of the profound examples from the program.  But in essence the peaks and valleys of America’s rich history has followed baseball, and vice versa.  I think that’s cool … don’t you?