It’s Friday once again and that means it is time for The Catch staff to take a break, drink a beer or two, and talk about baseball. This afternoon, we are at the amazing Strings Sports Brewery in the Historic Springfield District of Jacksonville. I can think of no better venue to discuss this week’s All-Star Game and discuss what’s in store for the second half. Let’s get to it…
The All-Star Game is always one of our favorite events on the baseball calendar. It brings together the best to face the best in front of a national audience so everyone can see just how wonderful the game of baseball really is.
Well, that’s what it is meant to be, at least.
Over the last 20 years or so, the All-Star Game has evolved from a hard-fought contest between the players from different leagues, into a chummy exhibition game, with too many players acting all buddy buddy, too many players opting out of the game, and so many gimmicks in place as to render the action on the field a mere side-event.
Yeah, yeah, things change, I get that. But it’s all changed for the worse, in my humble opinion. These are the other “All-Star Week” events: a fan fest, a HBCU game, a celebrity softball game, a futures game, a home run derby, and the draft immediately afterwards. (Not to mention the “cable network sports awards” that feel increasingly contrived, but are breathlessly promoted by a certain sports network.) I’m probably forgetting a few, too. All of these events could be stand-alone events and get major exposure for baseball. But all at once, in one spot…and it is overkill. The point being that the All-Star Game seems to be seemingly irrelevant to the entire week. At least that’s how it felt.
As for the game itself, it was a very good game that got better as it progressed. The American League had a 2-1 lead in the 8th, but couldn’t hold it. An Elias Diaz 2-run home run gave the National League a 3-2 lead which they held on to to get the win. Well done to the National League on their first win since 2012. Great to see them get the win. Diaz won the MVP award for his exploits.
A few things I hope change before the next All-Star Game:
-Please bring back the team uniforms for the game. These league unis look terrible on the field. For a league that bemoans the lack of exposure its players get nationally…putting them all in unrecognizable uniforms is just plain dumb.
-And what’s with the black uniform pants?! This is a trend whose time has come and is long, long gone. Quit trying to make fetch happen Manfred.
-Now maybe it was because I was watching the game on the New York feed in a 737 at 37,000 feet, or maybe not, but can you find no sponsors other than hokey and unpronounceable prescription medications?! A woman singing off-key about a medication makes me want to turn the game off and go elsewhere. (But I couldn’t given the aforementioned 737)
-Please, for the love of all that is good and holy, stop interviewing players in the middle of the game. Can you not wait until they are back in the dugout?
-If, for whatever unfathomable reason you *must* conduct in-game interviews, never, ever, ever interview the PITCHER during the game. The half-inning interview with Nathan Eovaldi was brutal. He had to concentrate, they wouldn’t shut up. He couldn’t chat at length while he’s DOING HIS JOB ffs! Does no one in baseball understand this?
So that’s all we have for the All-Star Game. Next thing that will be super interesting will be the Trade Deadline. I’m hopeful that some teams will go for it. Does Ohtani move? Will the Cards have a fire sale? Will the teams in the Central Divisions of both leagues take steps to separate themselves from mediocrity? We shall see. No matter what happens, let’s hope for a fantastic second half of the season.
The Catch 
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