American League wins again…
Posted by Trent on July 17, 2008
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstargame
So the American League has now won the MLB All-Star game for a decade. Why can the National League not hold on to their early leads? Or better yet, why is one league so dominate? People tell me that these things come in cycles, that the NL won it for a really long time and it is now just the AL’s time to be on top. Of course, since I have been paying attention it has been nothing but the AL and I really don’t know why.
It seems like the only noticeable difference between the two leagues is the designated hitter right? And yet, that translates into higher team averages, more runs (and home runs) a game, and a better winning percentage in inner-league play… Maybe they have it right. Maybe that is the way the game should be played this day and age. Why are all those “baseball purists” holding on to that relic of baseball past?
I will admit I did want to be a fan of the pitcher batting but now I really only want to watch the American League on TV. I would much rather watch a team stacked with David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez than Tom Glaven and Greg Maddux throwing down a few more sac bunts. I have also become the guy I said I wouldn’t be by only watching the PGA if Tiger Woods is involved.
So why the disparity in the All-Star game? Let me first say that I am actually against playing the game for real. It is an exhibition to show off and congratulate players on a job well done in the first half of the season. There is no need to take it seriously or to “make it mean something.” I don’t like that it decides home field advantage in the World Series, especially if we are going to have big swings like this. It is one thing to win an exhibition years in a row, it is completely differently if that translates into World Series rings.
Let’s please not take it so seriously. Let’s see everyone in the line up be able to play; let’s see players from both leagues messing around with each other. (Like Barry Bonds picking up Tori Hunter at second base after he robbed Bonds of a Home Run); let’s see them have fun. Not everything has to mean something.
Now if the National League could just hang on to a lead…….
