A Game for the Fans, Isn't It?

Bud Selig decided that the MLB All-Star game should count for something, effectively taking all the fun out of it.

Home-field advantage in the World Series is riding on the result of the midsummer "classic." 

Nice to know that the Tampa Bay Rays earned home-field advantage because two of their players were reserves on the team last year.

Every other sport gets it right, Bud.  The best record gets the field.

This creates argument.

People are constantly up in arms over the fans getting it wrong because the players in the game aren't always the best.

I agree that nobody wants to see home field decided by fan-favorites who aren't necessarily the best statistical player.  So what do you do, take the fans out of it because they don't always put the best players in?

No, and here is why.

THE FANS CAN'T GET IT WRONG WHEN THE GAME IS FOR THE FANS.

The fans don't want to see some guy who is having a career season and will never do it again.  The fans want to see their favorite players.  The players who are good year in and year out, and (like it or not) get the most media coverage.

So let's solve the problem.  Take home-field out of the equation. 

The game won't count, but it will be the FANS' game.

The NBA All-Star game doesn't count, but it's fun to watch.  The best statistical players aren't always in, but the players the fans want to see the most are.

People want to see their favorite players play on the field together without worrying about whether or not this game could cost their favorite team down the road.

So let's all get ready for the home run derby. 

Then let's watch the All-Star game, and when your side loses, get ready to complain for days about the player who went 0-for-3 and had no business being in that game.