The All-Star Cotillion

I suppose since there’s nothing else really going on in sports when the All-Star game come around, sports talk radio and TV commentators feel the pressing need to make a controversy out of it.  There’s nothing like listening to grown men talking like a bunch of teenaged, socialite girls, gossiping about who’s being invited, and who’s being snubbed, for the social event of the season. 

It’s especially sad when players make the mistake of chiming in, like it’s a popularity contest and they've just found out, that they’re not in with the “popular” girls.  All of these people commenting on the selection are like a bunch of heroines from a Jane Austin novel, “Oh dear, if I cannot attend the All-Star Cotillion, it shall be a social disaster of unmitigated magnitude.  How shall I ever show my face at any other event?  Oh, I swoon.”  

I truly hope I’m being insulting here.  This doesn't happen in the NFL, NBA, or the NHL, because their All-Star games not only don’t count, they’re farcical imitations of an actual game.  It’s just a little competitive party for the good players that happens in front of audience.  The MLB All-Star game is an actual game, whose outcome actually impacts the post-season.

The All-Star game has to service several, sometimes conflicting, agendas at the same time, so this is why it generates discussion.  First, it’s for the fans to see their favorites all playing at the same time and gets their participation by allowing them to vote on the starters.  Second, it’s an award for the players who've done well this season.  Third, it’s a mid-season event for the MLB and the networks to drum up some interest, at a time when it starts to drag.  Fourth, it counts.  The winner gets home field advantage in the World Series for their league.  That’s a lot real estate to cover in one game.         

There are plenty of arguments over the selection.  I’ll try to knock them down here.

The fans shouldn’t be voting because that makes this a popularity contest. 

Yes it is.  Duh.  Why would they watch the game, if it was just a bunch of jerks with good numbers.

They pass over more deserving players.

That’s why the players and coaches get to vote on the reserves.  Moreover, more deserving on the basis of what?  Whether they’re longstanding veterans?  Whether they’ve got the best numbers?  What numbers?  (WAR?  The stat invented to somehow prove that Mike Trout is one greatest players of all time, even though he hasn't played a full season yet.)   

This game counts so they shouldn't have to take a player from each team, especially since some crappy teams don’t have a worthy player.

Okay, you have 34 guys to play one game with who are made up of the best players in the league, and you’re afraid a couple of them might not be really great.  Just ponder the level of insecurity encapsulated in that.  I think I could manage any All-Star team victory.  (“Okay guys, go out there and do whatever you usually do.  I’ll be sitting here on the bench, eating popcorn and watching.”)  Once again, it’s a fan issue.  Every team needs to be represented, because all of the teams have fans, not just the Yankees.

I don’t want some flash in pan guy taking the spot of someone more deserving.

Again, it’s for the fans and who they want to see.  Some veteran with great career numbers might be better in the long run than some guy who’s done well for half of a season (or less).  I keep remembering Bryan LaHair* from the Cubs getting in as an injury replacement last year.  I don’t think he was with the club at the end of the season.  Last I heard, he was playing in Japan.  But you know what?  At the time he got in, his numbers merited it.  Leave projecting career stats to the scouts in the front office. 

This guy got in as a sentimental vote, not because of his current numbers.

The exact opposite complaint.  Same answer.  It’s who the fans want to see.  Besides, great veteran players get that way by coming through in big games.  Ideally, an All-Star team should be made up of celebrated veterans, up and coming potential stars, and steady guys with great numbers.  Hey, that’s what we have now.

Well, I’m sure I've finally put to rest any further nonsense about the All-Star, and we can all just sit back and enjoy the game.