How Does Baseball Fix the All Star Game

The Mid-Summer Classic is tomorrow night, and that means it is time for that yearly debate- How do we fix the Major League Baseball All Star Game?  Here are a few thoughts-

- Stop making it count.  That's right, it needs to be an exhibition again with no ramifications on the post-season.  Instead, just have it be fun like it should be.

- Stop letting the fans vote on starters.  Even though it won't count anymore, that is no need for fan stupidity.  I am wholeheartedly against fan voting for almost anything because they are very biased and belligerent.  Give them the last spot in vote, that's it.  Other than that, let the experts, managers and players pick the teams.  Speaking of that last spot in...

- Reserve a spot, when necessary, for a legend that is on his way out.  Call it the Willie Mays Spot, or the Cal Ripken Jr Spot, or the Chipper Jones Spot.  It is an acknowledgement of a fantastic career, but for a player who may not really deserve to be on the team this season.

- Include a Mascot Olympics.  I like Mascots.  That is all.

- Just like how there is a rule that at least one player has to go from each team, there should be a limit on the number of players.  This may not be needed if we eliminate the fan vote, but having everyone from the Rangers or Yankees on the team is no fun.

- Have the game at Nationals Park some time in the next 10 years.  What the hell!?  Why does KC have it this year?  Why is CitiField, which is hated by its own players, getting it next year?

- Have the managers pick more middle relievers.  Tyler Clippard, for example, is both an awesome closer and was the best setup man in baseball last year and this season.  There is no reason he should have been on the team over a guy like, say, Johnathan Papelbon (who is on a last place team).

- Include an Old Timers Home Run Derby.  See if any of those boys still have some pop.


With all of these, the entire All Star week would be better for everyone involved.