The big game is tonight, and like I have since 1967, I will be watching.
It’s still the only All-Star Game that is relevant in sports. There’s something special about seeing the players wearing their team’s uniforms. It truly is unique.
Yes, you can argue about the winning league getting home field advantage in the World Series. There are incredible flaws in the entire concept. I mean, with so much on the line, you should have your best players in for the entire game.
Still, I like the fact the outcome of the game matters. It does elevate the tension in the stadium.
Obviously, Fox Sports also likes it. Here’s Joe Buck:
I mean I have answered more ‘this time it counts’ questions maybe more than anybody except the commissioner. I have said from the beginning that we have noticed when we go down to talk to managers, talk to players, that it has had an impact on way these guys manage games. They are looking for specific matchups as opposed to just trying to get everybody in the game, which they did prior to the change. I think it has brought a competitive fire back to this game that for awhile was lacking. And this isn’t the same game that was played in ’60s. You would have guys who would do there one at-bat and bolt out of the park. It’s not happening anymore. I think it has been a great change for this game which is by far the best of all the all-star games. Not even close.
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I have to admit it sounded a bit funny to hear Bud Selig talk about Twitter during a conference call last week. I definitely wanted to be in the room when the concept was explained to the 77-year old commissioner.
Social media is going to be a big part of Tuesday’s game. Once a player leaves the game, he will be able to tweet his views to the masses.
Said Selig:
It’s after players are removed from the game. It’s another contact to our fans which is important to me. It’s a reason this sport is growing as much as it is. One thing I’ve learned in this job is never to say never. I like what we’re doing in the All-Star Game and I think this will contribute to our younger fans having the kind of contact they want to have with players. I’m very comfortable with where we are now.
Added Fox Sports vice-chairman Ed Goren:
This is really an exciting step for the All-Star Game. It’s being handled properly by baseball. The player is out of the game and now here is an opportunity to reach out, through social media, to baseball fans. This is a fun experiment.
It could be fun. However, I hope it doesn’t clog up the broadcast.
The hard part won’t be getting players to tweet. It’ll be getting them to tweet something that’s interesting.
I’ve watched every All-Star game since 1970 with my favorite being the 1971 All Star Game from Detroit. I knew I was watching something special as it happened with all the future Hall of Famers hitting HR’s in the game. In the decades following the game has taken on almost a Field of Dreams like quality in my memory.
Good luck to the American League tonight, it should be a good game.