Anyone who knows me knows I'm a pretty rabid baseball fan. I've been following the Yankees (yes, the Evil Empire) since 1979 and probably know more about the career stats of Steve Balboni than probably any human should. In fact, I just got back from a trip that revolved around watching games in Chicago and Milwaukee on consecutive nights (both the White Sox and Brewers lost. Don't the home teams know I flew all the way over there to see them?).But I don't know how much of the All-Star Game I'm going to watch tonight. And it's not just because I have to review Last Comic Standing, which comes back tonight after a week's break. It's just that the game has become beyond boring.
I'm not going to go too much into why I think this happened (I mean, this is a TV blog, not a sports blog); despite the fact that the league that wins the game now gets home-field advantage in the World Series, it still doesn't seem like the players or managers are into the game like they once were. Many treat it like the exhibition game that it is; many of the biggest starts skip the game because of "injuries" (coughPedroMartinezcoughMannyRamirezcough) and many of the others goof and pal around with the opposition during the game much more than during the regular season. And the managers are seemingly more concerned with getting everyone playing time than actually winning the game. I mean, in 1987, Dave Winfield played all 13 innings of that year's game; I never saw anything remotely like that since.
But I also think TV has killed off all the mystery and glamor of the game. Ever since ESPN started broadcasting multiple games per week in 1990, it's no longer novel to see the stars of any team on a regular basis. And the coverage has only grown since, with satellite TV, digital cable, and Internet game packages all allowing anyone to see any team at any time.
Well, any decent fan can tell you that. Here's what I want to know: are any of you baseball fans out there going to watch tonight's game? All of it, or part of it? With friends or by yourself? Let me know in the comments.
(Oh, and by the way, I went to PNC Park in Pittsburgh, where this year's game is being held, two years ago. It's a fantastic place to watch a ballgame. Too bad the Pirates usually stink.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-11-2006 @ 1:28PM
Tim said...
I'm gonna watch it, since my Mets make up half the NL roster... also watched the HR Derby last night, David Wright put on quite a show...
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7-11-2006 @ 2:14PM
doc said...
I think the one thing that really made me start to lose interest in the All-Star game was the 2002 contest that ended in a tie. A freaking tie? This isn't hockey for cryin' out loud. If the league, players, coaches, etc. can't be bothered to care enough about winning to play a couple extra innings, I have trouble bothering to watch.
It's too bad the game has gone this way because for years baseball's All-Star game was the best of all the major sports.
And finally, man I hate the Yankees. :D
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7-11-2006 @ 3:57PM
Adam said...
I Love the Yankees.
I believe there are two things that need to be changed for the MLB All Star Game.
1) If a player is taken out, ie Albert Pujols starts the game at 1B and is taken out and replaced by Carlos Delgado in the 3rd inning. Then the game goes to 15 innings Albert Pujols can be put back in the game. This way everyone plays and no ties.
2) Home field advantage for the World Series should be determined by whichever team has the better record in the regular season. No which league wins the All Star Game.
Oh by the Way I Love the Yankees. Not sure if I mentioned that.
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7-12-2006 @ 1:34AM
Mike said...
I live in Pittsburgh, and PNC Park is right down the road. But guess what, who cares?
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