All-Star Futility: Why The AL Makes The NL Look Worse Than The Nationals

The last time the National League won the All-Star game, Bill Clinton was the President, George W. Bush still was part-owner of the Texas Rangers, and Derek Jeter was in his first full year in the majors.  

In the last 13 years the American League has gone 12-0-1 in the All-Star game and has secured home field advantage in the World Series all seven times it has been up for grabs.

Sure, the National League has come close a few times. They have lost the last four games by only one run, had the lead with two outs in the ninth inning in 2006, and played 15 innings in 2008.

To put this losing streak in perspective, the American League has made the National League look worse than the Washington Nationals. The Nationals don't have a losing streak that long to any team. They have beaten the Phillies, Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, etc. at least once in their last 13 games.

Why such futility? After all, the NL has a much more respectable five and eight record against the AL in the last 13 World Series. I think there are three main reasons why the American League has had such dominance since 1996.

Fewer Teams

The National League has 16 teams while the American League only has 14 teams. This fact might actually help the NL if it weren't for the fact that every team must have one representative at the game. Therefore, the AL manager has two more picks than the NL manager that are dictated by a player's worthiness and not the team they play for.

This could have opened the door this year for the likes of Pablo Sandavol or Matt Kemp to play in the game and make a difference with their bats. Instead the manager is forced to pick under-deserving candidates for two extra teams just to keep Bud Selig happy.

Better Closers

You have three innings left in a game, who would you rather have pitching: Trevor Hoffman, Heath Bell, and Fransisco Rodriguez or Joe Nathan, Jonathan Papelbon, and Mariano Rivera? All six are fine pitchers, but the trio of Nathan, Papelbon, and Rivera is clearly a cut above.

Experience

Over the past two seasons, the American League has had a much more experienced All-Star team. In 2009 the American League roster had 102 total All-Star selections while the National League only had 87.  In 2008, it was 106 for the AL to 86 for the NL. Overall, the AL just has more experience at the All-Star game. 

Traditionally, when you have a close game that is an important win, the more experienced team seems to usually come out the victor.

This last point does offer a glimmer of hope for the National League to finally break through and win again sometime in the near future.

As their younger players continue to develop and gain more experience, the big game players with experience on the AL will be less likely to make the All-Star team. This will help close the gap. Maybe then the NL can finally break through and win another All-Star game.