MLB All-Star Game
Monday, July 20th, 2009Lots of people complain about the fact that every team in Major League Baseball has at least one representative in the game. Some folks argue that doing so means good players get left off the roster.
My argument against that…
1. I like seeing every team represented, especially in the opening introductions. The Intro for the All-Star game is one of the only intros to any event that is actually tolerable and enjoyable these days.
2. If every team wasn’t represented, the All-Star rosters would be nothing but Yankees and Red Sox and Dodgers and Angels and frankly we get plenty of that from ESPN and FOX as it is. It’s inundating enough that every NYY-BOS game during the season will be thrust upon us but to have the AS game that way as well would be annoying.
3. As the line between the leagues dilutes with tv and free agency, showing players from every team matters more, not less. We need to be reminded that smaller market teams have great players just like the marquis teams cos goodness knows the networks aren’t going to give us that reminder. Just ask ESPN how many games will be devoted to the Pirates or Orioles in the final month.
4. There will always be valid players that miss out due to ASG roster size, positions filled, et al. It is not a case that removing the players from the Nats and Padres would suddenly cure this issue. This has been true for 70 years.