Cardinals Sin

            I have another dispute to add to Stephen’s previous article on All-Star games. Not one Cardinal has made it through phase 1 of the fan vote. Now that may have something more to do with the fans, but you must recognize All-Star talent when you see it. The biggest snub in my opinion is Jordan Walker who is having a career year.

            As of writing, one day after the results were revealed, Walker is tied for 2nd in all baseball in RBIs with 58. His number tied for 6th in the NL for HRs with 18, already more than he’s had in any other season. He’s also sporting a very respectable .290 BA. He has 10 Stolen Bases to go with all of that. He’s been a great all-around Baseball player all year.

Photo Credit: upi.com

           So, what gives? The NL results are dominated by the Dodgers and Braves perhaps 2 of the biggest markets in the National League. So are all All-Star games now just going to be played between the largest markets in each league and maybe a sprinkle or 2 of other guys that are maybe having extremely exceptional years? Is it even worth watching the All-Star game if we’re just watching Okay-Stars because they were on the ballot and the fans spammed them? Is the All-Star game really dead?

            The only thing I can say that the MLB All-Star game had going for it was that it decides who gets home field advantage for the World Series. I’m not even sure that’s worth it at this point. Even NASCAR has diminished the meaning of All-Star by letting everyone race. I’m curious if it has any correlation with the fact that we have generations now being raised up with participation trophies. If you’re good enough to just show up to the ballpark or racetrack, you’re already an All-Star. What a shame. You used to be able to look at a guy that had All-Star next to his name and know that actually meant something that he stood out above his peers. Now it’s seemingly dependent on whether that player was on a well-liked team. In my opinion we need to take the fan vote out of the All-Star events at least as far as it comes to the entire roster. Maybe let the fans vote in one guy per “side” if you will and let the rest be based on actual statistics and accolades as well as a player or coach vote. Let’s try to bring some legitimacy to these events.

2When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 ESV