Its that time of the year again! Voting is in full swing and this is a great way for fans to become part of the game. Twitter is set ablaze with MLB All-Star Game related tweets. We see voting campaigns like #stantonovation to garner votes for Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins, or if you are a Los Angeles Dodgers fan, you are more than likely to #VoteBlue. The All-Star Game is a great way for fans to gaze at matchups that aren’t guaranteed to happen during the regular season.
In recent years the outcome of the MLB All-Star Game has become a lot more relevant to the playoffs. In 2003, MLB decided to make the All-Star Game decide home field advantage for the World Series. This means whichever league won the game, its LCS Champion was awarded home field advantage for the series. This stemmed from the controversial 2002 All-Star Game that ended in a tie.
Making the MLB All-Star Game matter has done a disservice to the Game. It’s supposed to be a fun game with zero ramifications from the outcome. This is why it should become an exhibition again.
Each Team Might Not Be Fielding The Best Team Possible
The name of the game implies that its a showcase of the best players will be on the field. Unfortunately, this isnt always the case. There is a rule in place that each team must have one representative. This alone means that a team may not be the best it can be due to it having to take on a borderline All-Star from a team who doesn’t have any, over a deserving player whose team has multiple All-Stars. This alone weakens the team a bit and the games’ final outcome shouldn’t matter enough to mean home field advantage.
Hard Work During Regular Season Doesnt Apply to Home Field Advantage
Imagine being a fan of a team that is going to the World Series. The team had the best record in their league but thanks to the events of the MLB All-Star Game, they will not open the series at home. This is a harsh reality of having the Mid-Summer Classic decide home field advantage. The best team gets penalized due to something that may have been completely out of their control back in July. It can ultimately give that extra home game to a team that didn’t do as well as its competitor during the regular season.
Let’s Get The MLB All-Star Game, Home Field Advantage Tie-In Destroyed
I think the All-Star Game concept is great. The fan engagement in voting in players is exciting and the events like The Home Run Derby make things even better. The All-Star Game is something that should be enjoyed for a night as a way for all of MLB and its fans to place eyes on the best in show. The game should not matter in October as a means to determine home field for the sport’s championship series.
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