I remember the worst night in All-Star Game history well.
I tuned in to the 2002 contest, excited to see six of my favorite Yankees play, including the entire New York infield (which blew my 9-year-old mind).
The game dragged on into extra innings, and because both managers wanted every player to get an opportunity to play in the game, both teams ran out of players to pitch by the 12th frame.
Commissioner Bud Selig decided to end the game, causing the first tie since 1961, when the game was called due to rain.
Ending the game in a tie was an embarrassment for both Selig and Major League Baseball, but the way the league tried to remedy the problem presented another issue.
Now, the All-Star Game “means something.” The winning side gets home field advantage in the World Series.
But adding the home field advantage incentive doesn’t make the game more interesting, and it makes no sense come playoff time.
What incentive does Jose Fernandez, the sole representative from the woeful Marlins, have tonight? Miami needs the angels from “Angels In The Outfield” to even get out of last place. They don’t care who gets home field advantage.
Fernandez likely has one thing on his mind at Citi Field tonight: I hope I don’t get hurt.
And why does a player like Fernandez get to impact the playoffs that he almost certainly won’t be a part of?
If the Pirates storm into the World Series with 115 wins under their belts, they deserve home field advantage.
But if they play a Rays team that limped in with 85 wins, and the American League wins tonight, then Tropicana Field will be hosting a majority of the World Series games.
How is that fair?
Why does the All-Star Game need to have playoff implications?
The players don’t seem to care as much. There isn’t a major rivalry between the two leagues. The game might “mean something,” but I don’t think Robinson Cano is going to bowl through Yadier Molina Pete Rose-style. They have their all-star bonuses. They just want to have fun and stay healthy.
I almost enjoy the Home Run Derby more. You know why? There’s no pressure.
Each game from April through September has pressure. Pennant races last until the last day of the season. The All-Star Game should be a time to relax and enjoy ourselves.
Maybe something should be done to make the game easier to follow.
Players shuffle in and out of the lineup so quickly that it’s hard to keep track, even though almost all the players are household names.
But hey, maybe the game hasn’t changed and I did. Maybe I’m just older and more cynical.
But I know the addition of home field advantage hasn’t helped the All-Star Game at all. I’ll tune in, but not because it will matter in October. I just want to watch some baseball.
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
Baltimore’s Chris Davis follows through on a three-run home run against the New York Yankees on June 29 in Baltimore. Davis is the American League’s starting first baseman.
