With Major League Baseball's Midsummer Classic kicking off, the results of the league's fan voting have been revealed. Of course, with every league's All-Star Game, there is always a commotion about fan voting. There are always players that should be starting but are not, while others are completely left off the exclusive roster. While good players are left out every year in every league, it is still good when a league allows its fans to choose some of the all-stars.
Whether or not the championship's home-field advantage is at stake, the All-Star Game is ultimately an exhibition match. What makes a good exhibition, besides fun and competitive play, is the ability of fans to see good players that they do not normally get to see play. Personally, I did not get the opportunity to watch Michael Jordan play in-person until after his second return from retirement. Although he was past his prime, Jordan still put on a good show. He led his Wizards team to a victory, closing the night with the game-winning shot. That example was seeing Jordan face my hometown team. Imagine the fans that watched him in-person at his last two All-Star Games. Even when he missed a dunk, he was still Michael Jordan. The next year, he nearly took an MVP award in his last appearance.
There is also that cliche about the end result. "It's not how you start that matters, but rather how you finish." MLB had a good example of this in 1997. Catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez was having another solid year. However, Catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. was having a better year. Fans knew more about Pudge and probably at least 8 out of 10 baseball fans had (or have) grown to like the guy. Thus, they voted for him to the start the game. Meanwhile, Alomar was selected by American League Manager Joe Torre as an All-Star reserve. During the 1997 All-Star Game, Rodriguez played the first few innings and then was replaced by Alomar. Later in the game, at his home stadium, Alomar hit a home run to give the American League the lead. While Alomar deserved to start, he still made the game worth his while and made the most of his time. In turn, he was rewarded with the Most Valuable Player Award.
While there are always reasons to question fans' picks for All-Stars, the game is for fans' viewing pleasure. A league's All-Star Game should provide new or unique lineups and matchups involving some of the fans' favorite people. In the meantime, most of the good ones still find a way to get involved in the game. Whether selected by fans or coaches, All-Stars are All-Stars. And those good ones that never get selected? They become the best players that never played in an All-Star Game. Either way, they get their recognition as stars.
Whether or not the championship's home-field advantage is at stake, the All-Star Game is ultimately an exhibition match. What makes a good exhibition, besides fun and competitive play, is the ability of fans to see good players that they do not normally get to see play. Personally, I did not get the opportunity to watch Michael Jordan play in-person until after his second return from retirement. Although he was past his prime, Jordan still put on a good show. He led his Wizards team to a victory, closing the night with the game-winning shot. That example was seeing Jordan face my hometown team. Imagine the fans that watched him in-person at his last two All-Star Games. Even when he missed a dunk, he was still Michael Jordan. The next year, he nearly took an MVP award in his last appearance.
There is also that cliche about the end result. "It's not how you start that matters, but rather how you finish." MLB had a good example of this in 1997. Catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez was having another solid year. However, Catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. was having a better year. Fans knew more about Pudge and probably at least 8 out of 10 baseball fans had (or have) grown to like the guy. Thus, they voted for him to the start the game. Meanwhile, Alomar was selected by American League Manager Joe Torre as an All-Star reserve. During the 1997 All-Star Game, Rodriguez played the first few innings and then was replaced by Alomar. Later in the game, at his home stadium, Alomar hit a home run to give the American League the lead. While Alomar deserved to start, he still made the game worth his while and made the most of his time. In turn, he was rewarded with the Most Valuable Player Award.
While there are always reasons to question fans' picks for All-Stars, the game is for fans' viewing pleasure. A league's All-Star Game should provide new or unique lineups and matchups involving some of the fans' favorite people. In the meantime, most of the good ones still find a way to get involved in the game. Whether selected by fans or coaches, All-Stars are All-Stars. And those good ones that never get selected? They become the best players that never played in an All-Star Game. Either way, they get their recognition as stars.