Mid-Summer Classic...for a change

Last night, I watched what was one of the most exciting All-Star games in recent memory. And yes, I watched all 15 innings of it. As the game dragged on inning after extra inning, I was reminded of how good, solid defense is so incredibly underrated in today’s game. If you need proof of how underrated solid defense is, just listen to some of the potential trade rumors floating around. Everything focuses on the player’s offensive statistics, not his glove work. In fact, in today’s world of “home runs sell tickets” you will never see a player traded because he brings a solid defensive quality to a team.

Last night’s game was a defensive gem, and I’m willing to bet few people stayed up long enough to appreciate it. Actually, it was a gem with the exception of Dan Uggla, whose selection to the team puzzles me. But, again, he was selected on his offensive merits, not his defensive ones (not that he did much at the plate either). But Ugly, er, Uggla’s foibles notwithstanding, it was impressive to see each team work it’s way out of a jam inning after inning. Here’s just a few that stand out for me…

- The NL getting out of a bases-loaded, no out pickle in the bottom of the 10th, with two of the three outs being made at home.
- Nate McClouth throwing out the runner at home. McCarver and Buck, in their typical over-the-top manner, spent nearly 15 minutes going on about Russel Martin’s handling of the throw and tag (which was high, mind you, and the runner should have been called safe), but not one word was mentioned about the perfect, dead-on throw from McClouth.
- Ryan Ludwick’s diving catch in left to keep the game going for the NL.

However, watching the game, and listening to the incessantly repetitious discussion of how Scott Kazmir wouldn’t be used unless there were no options left, and how Kazmir and Brandon Webb were not to be used, and would be under a pitch count, yada, yada, yada. The talking heads then began this discussion of how they think that perhaps the All-Star roster should be expanded to allow for more pitchers to make the squad to avoid this type of situation.

And to that I say, “Nooooooooooooo.”

If you want to make the game more interesting, shrink the roster. Shrink it down to 25 guys like a normal baseball roster. Keep the requirement that every team has to provide at least one player. This will eliminate any one particular team from overwhelming the roster (Cubs, Red Sox, Yankees, Angels). Also, if a pitcher is ‘unavailable’ to pitch in the All-Star Game because he pitched too many innings on Sunday, well, then he doesn’t make the squad. Too bad, so sad. If these over-paid, over-hyped prima donna’s can’t suck it up for 2 or 3 innings in an All-Star game, then perhaps they are not truly All-Stars. And please, please, please get rid of the DH in the All-Star Game. I don’t care if you’re playing in an AL park or an NL park. The DH has no place in the All-Star game (see my earlier argument about overrated offensive statistics).

The All-Star game is supposed to showcase the best of the best from every team in baseball. Not just the best hitters, but the best all-around players. Somewhere, in the midst of TV ratings and Home Run Derbys, baseball seems to have forgotten that.

Call me a purist, or call me nuts, but being an All-Star used to mean something more than a ‘pay-me” clause in a contract. These guys are getting paid more than the GNP of some countries to play a game. It’s time they start acting like they realize that.