advertisement

3 things to change about the All-Star Game

In regards to All-Star Games, I'll start by saying baseball is the only one worth watching.

Football? Is the NFL even playing the Pro Bowl anymore? If so, is it still held in Hawaii?

I love football, and my answers to those two questions are "don't know" and "not sure."

Basketball? What is the over/under in the NBA All-Star Game these days … 400? I'll pass.

Hockey? If the NHL could take about half of all those goals scored in the all-star game and spread them throughout the World Cup, you are talking about a win/win.

So congratulations major-league baseball, you are at least No. 1 for something on the major sports scene.

But, here are some changes that would make the All-Star Game even better:

Voting:

It is major-league baseball's game, so naturally much of the voting is done on MLB.com.

But I'm pretty sure I heard one MLB reporter ask manager Robin Ventura about potential White Sox all-stars in late April or early May.

Why not just roll the ballots out in spring training? Starting the all-star hype machine so early does nothing but hurt the Midsummer Classic, in my opinion.

Then there was the Final Vote last week, and let's just say I rarely looked at my Twitter feed for those 4-5 days until all of the #TargetSale clutter - for example - passed.

That's no shot at Sox ace Chris Sale, who should have been added by American League manager John Farrell in the first place. I just think there are better ways to spend your time than hashtagging all-star candidates who didn't make the initial cut.

And just as I think a committee of major-league Hall of Famers should decide who makes it to Cooperstown, I think a committee of former all-stars should have the biggest say in determining who represents the American League and National League.

Stakes:

So the winning team gets home-field advantage in the World Series?

Why doesn't the NL just let Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw go 9?

The next person, or player, I meet who thinks it's a good idea to let the World Series home-field advantage ride on the All-Star Game will be the first.

Home Run Derby:

Like many others, I'm already a big fan of White Sox slugger Jose Abreu for the businesslike way he handles himself on and off the field.

Abreu has rarely seemed irritated by the flurry of offbeat questions thrown his way, even with a language barrier.

But Abreu did seem to grimace and give brief answers every time he was asked about participating in the Home Run Derby.

Back in the day, the event was quick and enjoyable. Now, it drags on and you'll probably have a Chris Berman hangover if you watch the whole thing.

Like Abreu, I will take a pass.

• Follow Scot's baseball reports on Twitter@scotgregor.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.