OT: All Star Break

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
48,219
59,125
113
Years ago this used to be an anticipated part of the MLB season: now I wish we could just skip it. I haven't watched the game in years, not really interested in an exhibition where they're not really trying to win. Even less interested in the Lob 'Em In So They Can Hit A Home Run Derby.
 

superfan01

All-American
May 29, 2003
8,780
8,003
0
What about verlander killing MLB accusing it of juiced baseballs this season. The number of HRs this year back that up. On pace to crush the all time mark
 

chickenpatty2

All-Conference
Mar 21, 2013
1,427
1,672
0
Agreed. Love baseball. Probably haven't seen a full game since sometime in the 80s. Also, loved the "hanging chads" on the old ballots. Got excited sitting in the stands, poking out the players I wanted. Of course, this was when I could go toe to toe with my Yankee fan friends, showing off the batting stances of every player in both lineups, back in the mid-70s.
 

Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
What about verlander killing MLB accusing it of juiced baseballs this season. The number of HRs this year back that up. On pace to crush the all time mark

Commissioner Manfred has already said that the ball is livelier this year than in the past; it's a result of better technology in placing the "pill" (I don't really understand this) inside the baseball.

It was long ago, but there actually was a time when leagues cared which one won,and in which not every starter was replaced in the third inning or so. In 1941,Ted Williams hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the 9th to give the AL the win. A player of his calibre would never now be playing that late in the game.
 
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Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
I think I'm going to stop posting for today; it hasn't been going real successfully.
 

leftoright

All-American
Jun 2, 2017
10,152
5,684
113
Anything to get the kids out to watch or else we'll have the drone olympics outdrawing the World Series.
 

chickenpatty2

All-Conference
Mar 21, 2013
1,427
1,672
0
I hit at least 2000 homers with a wiffle ball, at the dead end I grew up on. I won $250, once, in my Little League BBQ raffle.
 
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Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
30,346
22,299
113
Years ago this used to be an anticipated part of the MLB season: now I wish we could just skip it. I haven't watched the game in years, not really interested in an exhibition where they're not really trying to win. Even less interested in the Lob 'Em In So They Can Hit A Home Run Derby.

IMO, the reason the game used to be a big deal, is that American/National League identity used to be a big deal. There was bragging rights involved for both player and fan. Increased player movement through free agency weakened that league identification, and interleague play ended it.
 

RUScrew85

Heisman
Nov 7, 2003
30,054
16,939
0
Years ago this used to be an anticipated part of the MLB season: now I wish we could just skip it. I haven't watched the game in years, not really interested in an exhibition where they're not really trying to win. Even less interested in the Lob 'Em In So They Can Hit A Home Run Derby.

Totally agree.
 

Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
IMO, the MLB All Star game is still the best All Star game of all the major sports. Followed by NHL Hockey, NBA and then the worst of them all the NFL All Pro Game, which is basically 2 hand touch. The NBA and NFL All star games play almost no defense.
 

Crazed_RU

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2006
2,651
3,290
98
Commissioner Manfred has already said that the ball is livelier this year than in the past; it's a result of better technology in placing the "pill" (I don't really understand this) inside the baseball.

It was long ago, but there actually was a time when leagues cared which one won,and in which not every starter was replaced in the third inning or so. In 1941,Ted Williams hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the 9th to give the AL the win. A player of his calibre would never now be playing that late in the game.
Many would debate the "better technology" part of your post. Just like every other sport, baseball wants to increase the amount of offense, and it's obvious the baseballs and/or bats have been tinkered with. When you can't juice the players any more, just juice the equipment.
 

mdk02

Heisman
Aug 18, 2011
26,679
18,968
113
IMO, the MLB All Star game is still the best All Star game of all the major sports. Followed by NHL Hockey, NBA and then the worst of them all the NFL All Pro Game, which is basically 2 hand touch. The NBA and NFL All star games play almost no defense.

The NHL and NBA games are essential the same as the Home Run Derby.
 

PIN2WIN624

Redshirt
Oct 19, 2006
237
38
0
Years ago this used to be an anticipated part of the MLB season: now I wish we could just skip it. I haven't watched the game in years, not really interested in an exhibition where they're not really trying to win. Even less interested in the Lob 'Em In So They Can Hit A Home Run Derby.
Well my 10 year old and 6 year old love it and that's what it is about. Creating new baseball fans at a young age. Sorry you were not entertained, YOU can easily skip it.
 
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PIN2WIN624

Redshirt
Oct 19, 2006
237
38
0
Years ago this used to be an anticipated part of the MLB season: now I wish we could just skip it. I haven't watched the game in years, not really interested in an exhibition where they're not really trying to win. Even less interested in the Lob 'Em In So They Can Hit A Home Run Derby.

Just responding to you stating "I wish we could just skip it".
 

Barnaby&Neill

All-American
Dec 10, 2010
6,946
7,534
81
Call me crazy, but I enjoyed it when they played for home field in the World Series. Especially when my team was in contention; watched with close interest.
 

Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
Call me crazy, but I enjoyed it when they played for home field in the World Series. Especially when my team was in contention; watched with close interest.

I didn't think that made the players play any harder, although you would think it would.
 

RUPete

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
26,841
16,113
0
IMO, the MLB All Star game is still the best All Star game of all the major sports. Followed by NHL Hockey, NBA and then the worst of them all the NFL All Pro Game, which is basically 2 hand touch. The NBA and NFL All star games play almost no defense.
Correct on all points. Football is in a tough spot. It's at the end of the season, guys are all banged up and they just want to get home to heal up.
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
30,346
22,299
113
IMO, the MLB All Star game is still the best All Star game of all the major sports. Followed by NHL Hockey, NBA and then the worst of them all the NFL All Pro Game, which is basically 2 hand touch. The NBA and NFL All star games play almost no defense.
If you define soccer as a major sport, as I do, MLS has the best All Star game - a unified all star team against a world class European opponent in its preseason training.
 

Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
If you define soccer as a major sport, as I do, MLS has the best All Star game - a unified all star team against a world class European opponent in its preseason training.


I do not consider MLS a major sport, although teams like Seattle and Atlanta draw very well. World Cup and other big International tourneys yes, I do. But to each his own, I understand the passion of Soccer fans, I love watching RU soccer and our Men's and Women's National teams. The Red Bulls and Sky Blue, not so much. I'm not sure how they grow MLS, just like I'm not sure how they grow Spring Pro Football, but efforts are made all the time, and I hope they all succeed.



https://www.thewrap.com/pro-sports-leagues-ranked-viewer-income-nfl-nfl-nba-mlb/
 
Last edited:

Retired711

Heisman
Nov 20, 2001
19,971
10,149
58
I do not consider MLS a major sport, although teams like Seattle and Atlanta draw very well. World Cup and other big International tourneys yes, I do. But to each his own, I understand the passion of Soccer fans, I love watching RU soccer and our Men's and Women's National teams. The Red Bulls and Sky Blue, not so much. I'm not sure how they grow MLS, just like I'm not sure how they grow Spring Pro Football, but efforts are made all the time, and I hope they all succeed.

I do not get soccer at all. But let's stick to the subject. Maybe, just maybe, a team of all-stars versus champions would be good. But it's hard to see why; a spring training game would probably not be that well-played or draw much interest. It would also likely be played in poor weather, and it's bad enough that the owners are so greedy that the World Series is often played in terrible weather.
 

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
48,219
59,125
113
Years ago this used to be an anticipated part of the MLB season: now I wish we could just skip it. I haven't watched the game in years, not really interested in an exhibition where they're not really trying to win. Even less interested in the Lob 'Em In So They Can Hit A Home Run Derby.
Just responding to you stating "I wish we could just skip it".
I meant not hold the event at all, not skip watching it. As I stated, I don't watch anything related to the All Star game anymore.
 

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
48,219
59,125
113
IMO, the reason the game used to be a big deal, is that American/National League identity used to be a big deal. There was bragging rights involved for both player and fan. Increased player movement through free agency weakened that league identification, and interleague play ended it.
This is a great point, and you're absolutely right. Often this gave us the opportunity to see a great hitter in one league face a great pitcher in the other for the very first time.
 

Rhuarc

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
6,469
7,007
113
What about verlander killing MLB accusing it of juiced baseballs this season. The number of HRs this year back that up. On pace to crush the all time mark
Commish Manfred: "the balls are not juiced, they have less drag"

Vlad Jr. then hits 91 home runs in a home run derby. 91. Almost 50 percent of his swings ended up in a home run. Unbelievable. His swing is something to see, it's vicious.
 

DHajekRC84

Heisman
Aug 9, 2001
30,709
19,818
0
I'm bored with TV so I might just have to watch it. Other than Golf Majors and Women's world cup....its all just nasty talking BS . Plus my chance to see who the new blood in MLB is.

But like most things today, its all just overly processed crap. (MHO)

if you like? Enjoy. .
 

wicker

Senior
Jan 29, 2002
29,914
947
0
Well theyve kicked around ideas like USA v World, to account for the interleague play taking away the original appeal. I'd like to see captains choose sides the day of the game after the 36 different fan votes they have