Guest Author - Mona McKenzie

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines all-star as, “composed wholly or chiefly of stars or outstanding performers or participants.” Logically, when a league seeks to determine its crème de la crème players, the entire season would be completed prior to the final selection of all-star performers, right? If that’s the case, why is the MLB All-Star Game played during the middle of the regular season? I realize that the NBA and NHL also schedule their all-star games in the middle of the season, but, it makes little sense to me.

I like the way the NFL waits until the end of the regular season, playoffs and Super Bowl prior making its all-star selections for the Pro Bowl. However, the argument can be made that while NFL fans and coaches have had months to analyze players to determine who is worthy to play in Hawaii, quite often the players who are selected don’t even show up or are too injured to play. At the end of a grueling season, some NFL players just want to go home to recuperate or go on vacation, not play in an all-star game, though you might think potentially earning an additional $40,000, and a chance to brag, might sway their decision to play.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the mid-summer classic. The players selected have made a fast start, showing their early season prowess of the game. It’s also a great 5-day break for the fan to fall in love with the game all over again. MLB schedules concerts, charity runs, the Home Run Derby, as well as the opportunity to see and interact with past, current and future players. This year, the First Fan even threw out the first pitch at the 80th matchup. While watching wrap-ups of the All-Star Game, I did find it interesting that ESPN’s Around the Horn panelists were discussing the entertainment value of the Home Run Derby, not only for the live fans, but, for the fans watching at home. I do think the concept, as it currently stands, seems to be a bit boring and the structure could use a little updating. I’ll have to think up some suggestions and forward them to the MLB offices. The Around the Horn panelists also discussed the fact that the players involved in the All-Star Game really don’t get a long mid-season break, due to the way the games are scheduled. Maybe a look at revamping the schedule is warranted so players can get much needed rest and finish the season strong.

It’s amazing that the American League has won the last thirteen mid-summer classic matchups. Wow! So, in the middle of the season, the AL is the best. But, by the end of the season, when it really counts, AL dominance fades at the World Series. The two leagues seem to be on par in the end, trading World Series wins. Could it be that many of the league’s alleged top players are crowned prematurely in the middle of the year and fade at the end of the year as the real stars step up? Don’t know…just a thought!