1. Make the All-Star game the most important game of any of the professional major sports by enforcing strict rules to make players attend, as well as offering the greatest reward for the winning team.
2. Accept what the NFL, NBA & NHL already have, that the All-Star game is an entertainment spectacle for the fans and it needs to have more flash and excitement.
This year’s record number of all stars (84) reveals that the Mid-Summer Classic is starting to become more of an annoyance rather than honor to major league players.
Sixteen All-Stars won’t appear in the game, including 13 of the 68 originally chosen. Big names like, David Price, Placido Polanco and Mariano Rivera have found ways to slip by the game and squeeze a few more hours of relaxation out of their vacations. Even the poster child of baseball, Derek Jeter decided to take some time off and nurse his injured ankle back to health by walking along South Beach with TV & Film star girlfriend, Minka Kelly.
When the greatest players in the sport are intentionally trying to get out of playing in the all star game, the term “problem” is an understatement.
However, Major League Baseball have no fear because I have a simple and easy solution to all of your All-Star Game worries.
Solution: Choose Option #1
Major League Baseball has the richest history or any American sport and they take pride in their tradition, so why shy away from it now? The NFL, NBA & NHL have the ability to get away with “entertainment” all-star games because that is the path they have chosen and that’s what the fans expect. These leagues are completely comfortable with allowing their players to not play defense, give %50 effort and interact with the crowd to make it more enjoyable for the fans.
The MLB does not have this luxury because their All-Star Game was founded on the principle of rivalry and conference pride. If you need proof, just ask Cleveland Indians’ catcher Ray Fosse who was bowled over by the Cincinnatti Reds’ Pete Rose in the 1970 All-Star Game. Rose scored the winning run for the National League and separated Fosse’s shoulder in the process.
If that’s not conference pride, then I don’t know what is. I don’t recall a Pro Bowl where Larry Fitzgerald was laid out by Ed Reed while going across the middle.
Two simple adjustments will make the MLB All-Star game the most watched and anticipated all-star exhibition in professional sports.
1. Unless a player is injured or has an emergency, such as death in the family, THE GAME IS MANDATORY FOR ALL ALL-STARS. If you do not show up to the game then you will not be paid. Nothing motivates an athlete like the risk of having their money withheld. The players will show, and they will play hard.
2. Offer SUBSTANTIAL BONUSES to all players within the winning conference team. However, if they are selected and do not show up to the game, they do not get their money, even if their team wins. Player will play like it’s the postseason when money is involved and the fans will get a great game with max effort.
There you have it Baseball. If you want to restore the glory of the all-star game then get off the fence and choose to make it so. Make it clear to your players and fans that this is no ordinary game, this is a game of pride and tradition and even if you have to offer the players monetary rewards, then you will, because that’s what it’s going to take. It is time to restore your MLB All-Star Game to its former glory, so break out the check book and all your problems will go away.
- Mason McVerry
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