As has been the case for the past ten years, all but the most die-hard baseball fan has forgotten last month's All-Star game. Few people outside of Cincinnati probably remember that Todd Frazier won the Home Run Derby, and only a handful of fans of contending teams can readily recall that Mike Trout was the game's Most Valuable Player.
Decreasing interest in the Midsummer Classic will soon drop the game to the apathy currently confronting the Pro Bowl of the National Football League. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred needs to work with owners and the players association to adopt changes that will revive interest in the once-anticipated All-Star game.
Awarding the winning league the home field advantage in the World Series has not made the game more meaningful to fans. Nor has the recent change to exclusive on-line voting, a decision that took power away from fans dedicated enough to attend games in their home ballpark.
What the All-Star game needs is a much more radical change, one which would give fans more interest in the game while at the same time making it more fun for the coaches and players themselves. Here is a proposal that would accomplish both of those goals.
First of all, abandon the outmoded concept of American League vs. National League. Instead, have one team chosen by the fans, going head to head with one chosen by the players and coaches.
The fans' team would consist of the top two vote getters at each position with six outfielders, five starting pitchers, and five relievers. That arrangement would provide 26 players for the fan team, which would be managed by the home team's skipper. Assuming the change takes effect as early as next year, the Fans' team would be managed by Washington's Matt Williams.
The Fan roster from 2015, for example, would have had catchers Salvador Perez and Buster Posey, the top two vote getters. At first base would be the tandem of Miguel Cabrera and Paul Goldschmidt, while second base would be manned by Kolten Wong and Jose Altuve (top vote getters Dee Gordon and Omar Infante were injured at game time).
Shortstop would actually feature two American League players, since both Alcides Escobar and Julio Iglesias received more votes than Johnny Perralta of St. Louis. The same thing would happen at third base, given that Josh Donaldson and Mike Moutsakas both acquired more votes than Cincinnati's Todd Frazier.
The Fan outfielders would be the top six vote getters, including Mike Trout, Lorenzo Cain, Alex Gordon, Jose Bautista, Yoenis Cespides, and Bryce Harper. (Matt Holliday and Giancarlo Stanton, both among the top in votes, were injured at the time of the game). Nelson Cruz and Kendrys Morales would serve as designated hitters.
Unlike in the past, fans would have to vote for starting pitchers and relievers. The staff from the 2015 game, based on popularity and notoriety, would include starters Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner, Zach Greinike, Johnny Cueto, and David Price with
Aroldis Chapman, Craig Kimbrel, Greg Holland, Jonathan Papelbon, and Huston Street filling the bullpen.
The other team will be selected by the managers and peers from among all of the players not on the fan team. This team would be co-managed by the World Series skippers, one in charge of the offense and one in charge of the pitching.
Plenty of great players could fill this roster, topped by catcher Yadier Molina, first basemen Anthony Rizzo, Joey Votto, Jose Abreu, or Mark Texiera, and second basemen Robinson Cano and Brian Dozier. Among the available shortstops would be Troy Tulowitski and Xander Boegarts, while third could have viable options such as Nolan Arenado, Justin Turner and Adrian Beltre or Frazier.
Outfielders on the coach/players team could include Carlos Gonzales, Carlos Gomez, A.J. Pollack, J.D. Martinez, Jason Hayward, and Hunter Pence. The DH could be selected from players like Edwin Encarnacion, Albert Pujols, and Alex Rodriguez.
For its pitching staff, this team could choose hurlers like Max Scherzer, Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, Chris Sale, John Lackey, and Michael Wacha. Options for the bullpen would include top-notch relievers like Glenn Perkins, Mark Melancon, Trevor Rosenthal, Jeurys Familia, and Santiago Casilla.
As you can tell from these two rosters, both teams would be loaded with talented players. The fans would of course enjoy the luxury of getting to elect their preferred players, but the opponents have the luxury of firsthand knowledge of the game. All in all it would make for an exciting contest. MLB could, in case the fan team won, reward them by handing out a free button or inexpensive item to everyone who attends the first home game after the All-Star break.
