At Least The Garish All-Star Uniforms Got Mothballed!
First, let’s give MLB credit for allowing All-Star players in 2025 to go back to wearing their team uniforms. For a number of years the bozos in the MLB front office thought these gauche softball style uniforms were appropriate and stylish for All-Star players to wear. This clashes with the rule of having at least one player rom every MLB team represented. How do you have market representation with generic uniforms? I loved seeing the parade of different uniforms out on the field. In the 2024 ASG I sometimes had a hard time telling which players were which. The team outfits were the same and the helmets mask players faces nowadays!
Now…Just WHO makes The All-Star Teams and How?
The All-Star Game was first held in Chicago’s Comisky Park in 1933. The idea was to have fans see the best players from both the American and National Leagues compete. Many revisions to the selection process have occurred since then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWdbOZswEnk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFpysQ8grms
Why Represent Every Team At The All-Star Game?
Every year there are All-Star “snubs.” Let’s say a Yankee slugger who has 18 HR, 50 RBI, and is hitting .290 at mid-season gets denied a spot on the roster. The Yanks already have representatives voted in by the fans or players. Another franchise, say the Astros, has nobody voted in by the players or fans, so therefore its best player must be inserted. It doesn’t matter if the player is hitting amediocre .260, with 7 HR and 20 RBI. He also has no outstanding defensive prowess. This is the marketing strategy of MLB. Why would Astro fans tune into the ASG if there are no Astros on the team? Managers are not obligated to get everybody into the game. They often do, however, clear their benches to avoid controversy. However, that’s still no guarantee an Astro plays. If the Astros All-Star gets hurt before the game, then the manager is not forced to replace him with another Astro. It could be another Yankee! Also, the Astro player may get into the game, but maybe as a late defensive replacement. He may never get near a batted ball or stride to the plate to hit.
The Problem with Pitchers
Hall of Famer Bob Feller willingly pitched five innings starting an All-Star game. Today’s hurlers and their clubs aren’t keen on them throwing during the ASG. If they do throw, it can’t be more than an inning. Today’s pampered pitchers need five days rest between starts. The teams worry their ace will somehow be wrecked for the second half of the season if he tosses 12 pitches. So if an Yankee or Astros pitcher gets selected, it’s possible to see him just put on a uniform and sit in the bullpen. His team may have told the manager to keep him out.
Bad Outcomes
There’s an old adage that good pitching beats good hitting every time. Today’s top pitchers who throw 100+ M.PH. are not rarities anymore. Their sweeping curves are straight out of wiffle ball physics. Even current standout hitters are less sophisticated and patient at the plate than in earlier eras. This results in tons of strikeouts and low scoring ASGs. This why there’s a Home Run Derby the night before the ASG. Fans will see lots of awesome power displays they’re not likely to witness the next night. Yet…how are nine inning ties now settled in ASGs? They have a short Home Run Derby, with each team picking three hitters. It’s called a “swing-off.” MLB decided not to repeat what happened in 2002 when the game ended in a 7-7 tie after 11 innings. Both teams ran out of able and willing pitchers. Sorry, but a swing-off is like a game of HORSE deciding a basketball game, or a QB “throw-off” against a moving target deciding a football game. However, the swing-off appears here to stay. It happened in 2025 as Kyle Schwarber dominated with three homers to win it for the National League, and the feedback from fans was positive.
Toast to Pete Rose and Ted Williams
There was a time when ballplayers took the ASG seriously. They wanted to win for the pride of their league. Seeing Joe Dimaggio and Ted Williams batting in the same order was surreal. Ted’s 1941 walk off homer was one of his greatest thrills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0u6RFDZeRM
Furthermore, say what you want, as I have, about Pete Rose’s off-field gambling on baseball. He wasn’t called Charlie Hustle on the field for nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0u6RFDZeRM
Unfortunately, today’s SG selection is met with indifference or annoyance by some players. Those who skip often cite health or rest reasons (translation: I’m going on a tropical cruise). Therefore, what used to be an honor is simply an inconvenience to player All-Star Break travel plans.
What is your opinion of the current All-Star Game rules and player attitudes? Leave youe comments below.
Also, don’t forget to vote for your favorite players for the 2026 ASG!
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2026-mlb-all-star-voting-ballot/