The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is the best exhibition game in professional sports. It (usually) pits the best players in each league against each other for 9 innings during a time when most of them are in mid-season form. The showcase lasts several days when the baseball world converges on one city and America can witness the greatest athletes in the world compete on the same diamond.
At a time, the “mid-summer” classic was one of the few opportunities to watch the best baseball players perform their craft in one day. Up until the age of expanded cable television, fans were restricted to watching one national game a week which was broadcast on either of the three basic cable channels (Fox, NBC or ABC.) The only other method to watch a super-star in action was to either go to a game in a city nearest to you or watch when their team played yours on television. Even so, you were at the mercy of the national broadcaster’s schedule– they decided whether to air a Kansas City Royals game or not. If they didn’t, you might’ve missed an opportunity to see George Brett that season.
Thus, it was a delight (and still is) to see the best in action in one ballpark. For those fortunate enough to posses a ticket, the price of admission is still worth the joy of watching an exhibition without the “stress” of how a win or loss will affect the Indians in the American League Central standings.
Like most timeless treasures, the game itself needs to be made better as the changing times dictate. The integrity of the game doesn’t need to be compromised in order to make it more interesting to the baseball fan– one who is blessed with improved technology to witness the best in action on a nightly basis if he/she chooses to.
Much as in the country it reflects, the changing demographics within the game of baseball cannot be ignored.
Two-hundred twenty-four players on 2014 Opening Day 25-man rosters and inactive lists were born outside the 50 United States, according to a Major League Baseball Press Release. The 224 players born outside the U.S. (26.3 percent) come from the pool of 853 players (750 active 25-man roster players and 103 disabled or restricted Major League players) on March 30th rosters and represented… “16 countries and territories outside the U.S., the highest total since 16 countries were also
represented in 2008.”
The press release went on to add:
“As it has each year since MLB began releasing this annual data in 1995, the Dominican Republic again leads the Major Leagues with 83 players born outside the United States. Venezuela ranks second with 59 players, marking its fourth-highest total of all-time. Cuba places third with 19 players, setting a new all-time high and surpassing last year’s record-high of 15. Rounding out the totals are Puerto Rico (11); Canada (10); Japan (9), Mexico (9); Curaçao (5, surpassing its previous high of four set in 2009 and 2012); Colombia (4, matching its previous high set last year); Panama (4); Nicaragua (3, matching its previous high set in 2012); Australia (2); South Korea (2); Taiwan (2); Aruba (1); and Brazil (1). Boston Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts is the first player from Aruba to make an Opening Day roster since Sidney Ponson of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007. Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes, who became the first Brazilian-born player in Major League history in 2012, now becomes the first Brazilian to make an Opening Day roster.”
Although some consider the influx of international players a negative trend, it is one that is showing no signs of slowing down in the near future. While the international pool grows, Major League Baseball should take advantage and showcase its talent by country.
Yes, it already does so with the World Baseball Classic. However, this is an opportunity to bring a similar format to the middle of the baseball season when nothing but baseball is being played as opposed to late February and March when most of the country is engulfed with NCAA’s “March Maddness.” The players themselves would also be more inclined to participate as well, knowing that they are in mid-season form and not fresh off an offseason where they haven’t seen live action in months and more injury prone.
The point of exhibition games is to not only showcase the players involved but also the game itself. It is a giant promotional event in which even the grandest promotional dollars could not afford the air time and publicity which the All-Star Game provides. With this being said, promoting the diversity of baseball would be a big publicity win in itself as the fans, personnel and media would enjoy watching a contest that involved the representation of many races and countries.
In addition, it would promote patriotism for Americans because the game is always played close to the Independence Day holiday. Major League Baseball could associate the annual contest with the holiday itself and promote it as such. It would carry on the sense of pride for country that is already felt throughout the land during the days prior and preceding the 4th of July.
From 1998-2002, the NHL went to this format with mixed results.
The one aspect that a “U.S. vs. World” All Star Game would bring about is the elimination of the winner taking home-field advantage during the World Series as both leagues would be “meshed” into one during such a format. This, in itself, would be good in my opinion. It would return the game to being a simple exhibition between two teams for the pure enjoyment of watching and have any affect on the outcome of the regular season.
Of all the decisions former commissioner Bud Selig made (and most made the game better), giving whatever league won the All-Star Game home-field advantage in the world series was one of the worst. The reason is it took the focus away from showcasing of the best in the game towards the strategy side, which forces the manager to choose more true relievers for the bullpen and thus leaving deserving starters, such as the Indians Corey Kluber, on the outside looking in.
Home-field advantage in baseball is more important that any other sport because of the last at-bat. Although home-field is statistically relevant in all sports, especially at the collegiate level, none changes the rules like it does in baseball. Without a game clock, baseball’s outs are its sole method of eventually ending the game. For the home team to have a final say on the outcome of the game is a big advantage– so big that it should not be determined by an exhibition game. Changing the format would force the league to do away with awarding the winner home-field advantage, as the game would not pit league vs. league but rather “world vs. U.S..”
Tinkering with the All-Star format is what Rob Manfred should consider as he wraps up his first season as commissioner of baseball. It is still the best format for an All-Star game in American professional sports.
It can however, become better with a few adjustments.
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