What I Think the Faults are with the MLB All-Star Game

All-Star Game Logo- mlb.com

             Most All-Star games have different selections to pick their representatives. The baseball game is different from every other All-Star game in many ways, one being that  every single team must have a representative at the annual event, this year being held in Arizona. Another differing factor is that the American League plays with a DH but the National League has the pitcher bat for himself. This isn't an issue during interleague games as you just play the game however it is played at the home stadium, so if the Yankees visit the Mets like they did last weekend, CC Sabathia has to hit for himself not let DH Jorge Posada bat instead or if the Mets visited the Yankees (like earlier in the year) they get to select a bench player to be the DH for the pitcher. This is an issue at the All-Star game because of the voting. The AL still votes for a DH even when the game is being played in a NL stadium like this year. Why I still have no idea, there is no place for the DH but I guess the question is then where do players like David Ortiz fall without the DH? At first base? It's kind of unfair to place him there since he has only played first base once this season but he can't DH in the All-Star game so he will have to pinch-hit for the pitchers spot or even play some first base at some point.

              What else can you find faults in? I've discussed my issues with the fans voting for the starters (Derek Jeter as starting SS, give me a break you homers, he doesn't deserve it this year) but baseball isn't the only sport that has that issue so we'll let that go. But the bigger issue is how they pick the rest of the rosters or the "reserves" as they call them. The managers of the two teams that played in last year's World Series get the honor of managing the All-Star game the next season but is it really an honor? The task of filling out a roster certainly isn't easy since most power hitters all play first base or outfield but the issue that occurred last year is one of the major problems. Omar Infante was Charlie Manuel's choice over Joey Votto (NL MVP last year) for an All-Star spot because he wanted a player who plays multiple positions just in case the game went into extra innings. Votto clearly deserved the nod but since his position was stacked (Pujols, Howard, Fielder) he was passed over for someone who could play 2nd, 3rd and outfield.

               My other issue is that the managers love picking their own players for the All-Star game. Ron Washington selected Michael Young (probably not an All-Star but has flexibilty position wise) and CJ Wilson who is having a good season but CC Sabathia is head and shoulders above Wilson. On the NL side, Bruce Bochy selected Ryan Vogelsong, Matt Cain and Brian Wilson. Cain is probably the only one who really deserves the spot but he is still on the fence, I would have rather taken Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson than Vogelsong or Cain and Braves closer Craig Kimbrel over Brian Wilson who has struggled mightily lately as well. Just kind of brings an odd favoritism to the game that isn't needed.

HR Derby Logo- mlb.com

               And now the Home Run Derby, which isn't part of the All-Star game but is part of the festivities has gone to Captains from each league to assemble a team. A very odd way of doing it. David Ortiz, the captain of the AL picked all American League East players in Jose Bautista, Adrian Gonzalez and Robinson Cano. Why? Who knows, only Bautista truly deserves the nod. And in the NL, Prince Fielder chose a much better selection of players in Matt Holliday, Rickie Weeks and Matt Kemp. 3 of the 4 are from the NL Central but at least Kemp is from the West coast. I would have rather seen someone like Paul Konerko or Nelson Cruz for the AL instead of Cano and Lance Berkman or Jay Bruce instead of Weeks. But will I still watch? Of course!

Biggest Winner of the Night: Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem's pitcher Dan Haren who held the Detriot Tigers scoreless to win 1-0 last night. He threw a complete game shutout allowing just 2 hits and 0 walks while striking out 9. Haren faced just 3 batter over the minimum and completely dominated the Tigers who gave no help to their ace Justin Verlander who allowed the lone run in 7 2/3 innings. Haren now boasts a 9-5 record with a 2.65 ERA good enough for 7th in the AL.

Biggest Loser of the Night: Minnesota Twins closer Matt Capps who failed to close a game for the 3rd consecutive time last night against the Tampa Bay Rays. Capps allowed a lead-off HR to BJ Upton then retired 2 batters before being replaced again by Glen Perkins for the final out. Manager Ron Gardenhire announced today that Capps will be given a breather from the closer role and it will fall to Perkins or former All-Star closer Joe Nathan to close out games in the meantime.