A Way to Change the All-Star Game
by ohad on Jul 9, 2007 9:03 PM PDT
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PrintJust a thought. Keep in mind that this is quite spontaneous and probably are a myriad of reasons why this can't happen. And there is also some part of me that realizes and wants to preserve the AL/NL tradition of the all-star game. After all, the AS Game gives me another day to root against Barry Bonds.
I believe this year is the second and final year (for now) that the AS Game determines the WS Home Team, but don't quote me on that. Since most of us realize that this situation is a joke, i was wondering what you all thought of a potential change that could spice it up.
It starts with the futures game that i was watching yesterday. It was very interesting, aside from that fact that i'm an avid prospect follower. Team USA against Team World. That added a certain element of patriotism, albeit a small one considering the game had no implications. Also, during the home run derby, the Latin players seem to band together. Guerrero won and all the Dominicans huddled around him. I remember that from every year, the bonding on the part of Dominicans, Venezuelan's, etc.
What if the Major League Baseball All-Star game was played in the same "USA against The World" format.
What if the Major League Baseball All-Star game was played in the same "USA against The World" format. Political jokes (or realities) coming out of that phrase aside, what do you all think about it? This of course would get rid of the AL/NL format, but the game of baseball is continuing to grow internationally. Somewhere around 1/3 of MLB players are foreign born, and this would be another way to extend growth and exploit that statistic. I'm not sure what about peripheral rules, like the "1 from each team" rule, but i believe if there was a US team and a World team, that would happen anyways in filling out the rosters.
Anyway, it's just an idea floating around in my head that would be kind of interesting. And change is good.
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That's what they do in hockey ...
and, frankly, I think it's kind of lame. It would also screw up the rule that every team must be represented (who has to take the Royal?).
Besides, what would I have done a few years ago when my patriotism and Miggie-Magic came into conflict?
That's what they DID in hockey
before they realized that it just made it seem jingoistic and forced.
oooh!
We could split it up not just USA vs world, but teams for all the countries where baseball is played! Then they could play in a round robin tournament. That might take more than three days, so let's move it to...spring training. And just so it doesn't get old, we'll only do it every four years.
While I don't especially care for
the solution of making opponents based on nativity, I will say one thing: The current All-Star Game is, IMO, quite lame and could use any reconsidering possible.
Certainly, the Brewers should not be able to win 84 games and have home-field advantage over 98-win Boston just because David Wright singled off of J.J. Putz.
The WS home field prize
is horribly lame, no doubt. But home field in the Series has never been awarded on merit, and the 84-win Brew Crew would still open at home against the 98-win BoSox in every even-numbered year of the olden days.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 9, 2007 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I like the All-Star Game
I know, that’s not the thinking fan’s take these days. But you know, it’s most of the best players of the game I love competing against each other. That it’s an exhibition with relaxed dugouts and staccato subs doesn’t take away the fun of watching Miguel Cabrera hit off Justin Verlander. Guys hardly ever get hurt, nor do they exhaust themselves unduly. Unlike the other big sports, the guys playing in the MLB All-Star Game are still basically playing the same game, and they want to win, more or less. And as a lifelong AL guy, so do I.
The break fits well in the long season, for player and fan, and the ASG is a pleasant little talent celebration in the middle. I like it.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 9, 2007 11:01 PM PDT reply actions
Potential rosters?
USA:
C: Joe Mauer (MN, Minnesota)
1B: Prince Fielder (CA, Milwaukee)
2B: Chase Utley (CA, Philadelphia)
3B: Alex Rodriguez (NY, New York)
SS: Jimmy Rollins (CA, Philadelphia)
LF: Matt Holliday (OK, Colorado)
CF: Ken Griffey Jr. (PA, Cincinnati)
RF: Jeff Francoeur (GA, Atlanta)
DH: Gary Sheffield (FL, Detroit)
SP: Dan Haren (CA, Oakland)
SP: CC Sabathia (CA, Cleveland)
SP: John Lackey (TX, Anaheim)
SP: Jake Peavy (AL, San Diego)
SP: James Shields (CA, Tampa Bay)
Relievers:
Trevor Hoffman (CA, San Diego)
JJ Putz (MI, Seattle)
Jonathan Papelbon (LA, Boston)
Billy Wagner (VA, New York Mets)
Pat Neshek (WI, Minnesota)
Heath Bell (CA, San Diego)
Kevin Gregg (OR, Florida)
Bobby Jenks (CA, Chicago White Sox)
Bench:
David Wright (VA, New York Mets)
Ryan Zimmerman (NC, Washington)
Barry Bonds (CA, San Francisco)
Freddy Sanchez (CA, Pittsburgh)
Alex Rios (AL, Toronto)
Grady Sizemore (WA, Cleveland)
Jason Varitek (MI, Boston)
Hunter Pence (TX, Houston)
Brian Roberts (NC, Baltimore)
World:
C: Russell Martin (Canada, Los Angeles)
1B: Albert Pujols (Dominican Republic, St. Louis)
2B: Placido Polanco (D.R., Detroit)
3B: Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela, Florida)
SS: Jose Reyes (D.R., New York Mets)
LF: Alfonso Soriano (D.R., Chicago Cubs)
CF: Ichiro (Japan, Seattle)
RF: Magglio Ordonez (Venezuela, Detroit)
DH: David Ortiz (D.R., Boston)
SP: Johan Santana (Venezuela, Minnesota)
SP: Daisuke Matsuzaka (Japan, Boston)
SP: Erik Bedard (Canada, Baltimore)
SP: Jose Contreras (Cuba, Chicago White Sox)
SP: Carlos Zambrano (Venezuela, Chicago Cubs)
Relievers:
Takashi Saito (Japan, Los Angeles)
Mariano Rivera (Panama, New York Yankees)
Akinori Otsuka (Japan, Texas)
Jose Valverde (D.R., Arizona)
Eric Gagne (Canada, Texas)
Francisco Cordero (D.R., Milwaukee)
Francisco Rodriguez (Venezuela, Anaheim)
Hideki Okajima (Japan, Boston)
Joakim Soria (Mexico, Kansas City)
Bench:
Justin Morneau (Canada, Minnesota)
Adrian Gonzalez (Mexico, San Diego)
Hanley Ramirez (D.R., Florida)
Manny Ramirez (D.R., Boston)
Carlos Beltran (Puerto Rico, New York Mets)
Carlos Lee (Panama, Houston)
Orlando Cabrera (Colombia, Anaheim)
Victor Martinez (Venezuela, Cleveland)
Vladimir Guerrero (D.R., Anaheim)
I kinda like this format, although they'd never do it. I also made it to satisfy the bogus "one rep from every team" rule.
Nice!
That's what I'm talkin about! Even though i realize it's unrealistic, i still think it's fun to think about, sort of a fun excercise. Nice job on compiling the rosters!
Thanks for revealing who won the derby
Had to work all night and got home. Was getting ready to watch the derby when I read your diary. A little disclaimer would have been nice.
by Amnesiac727 on Jul 10, 2007 12:12 AM PDT reply actions
Wow...
I'm really sorry about that. I didn't even think.. I'm sorry. If it helps at all, it wasn't even good, especially the final round. Only about 10 minutes worth watching.
In his defense
the two things not to do if you don't want to find out who won the derby is watch news or sportscenter on TV and don't go to any sports websites.
It is not even inconcievable that it could have been a story on the front page if something interesting had happened and it would have greeted you the second you signed on to AN.
Kinda put your self at risk on this one.....
I realize it was entirely my fault
It was a very long night so I was a tad grouchy. But I admit it was my fault.
by Amnesiac727 on Jul 10, 2007 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Watch the second round ...
it was frickin cool ... the first and final rounds were worthless.
Didn't they do this already...
you know, with the World Baseball Classic? May not have been exactly USA v. World...but it was close enough.
Besides, USA v. the World? The USA would get killed every year. It wouldn't even be close. Although, I guess its not much different than the current AL v. NL dominance.
The rosters would be comperable ...
the world would have a small edge on offense, the US in pitching. It would be competitive.
USA vs the world might not work well...
...maybe it should be Latin America vs the world.
Yes, being semi-facetous.
Anyway, the world series home thing doesn't really bother me. Here's the two minor things I'd do if I had my way...
- Get rid of the notion that everybody must play.
- Allow free substitution in extra innings to avoid dumb-ass scenarios like the tie a few years ago. Baseball games are meant to be won by somebody... even exhibition games.
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