And This Year's Undeserving All-Star Is...

There's at least one issue that arises with it every year. 

You're the manager of the American League team in this year's All-Star game.  It's that time to select which pitchers will go to New York and represent the American League.

Choice number one:  Curt Schilling.  10-3, 3.63 ERA.

Choice number two:  Mark Redman.  6-4, 5.27 ERA.

Who do you pick?  Who would give you the best chance at winning the game and securing home-field in the World Series?  Who would the fans want to see?

Ozzie Guillen was faced with that scenario in 2006 and was forced by the rules of the All-Star game to select Mark Redman. 

According to the rules, each team must have a representative at the All-Star game.  Tony LaRussa, a supporter of the rule feels that without this rule you wouldn't have a true All-Star game. 

He said, "If you don't want every team represented, then you're not going to have a true league All-Star Game."

Right.  An all-star game wouldn't be an all-star game without the best of the mediocre, Tony.

Putting it bluntly, this rule is terrible.  Bud Selig wants the All-Star game to count, so the winner of the game has home field advantage in the World Series. 

If this game is going to mean something, you want each team to have the best chance to win, right Bud?  Then why are we leaving the good players like Curt Schilling off the team and giving Mark Redman a spot?  Nothing against Redman, but in 2006 he wasn't quite All-Star material. 

Bud Selig needs to choose.  If he wants an All-Star game that doesn't count for anything in the long run, then sure let it be an expose of the best of each team.  Fine.

But if he wants a game with meaning, one that determines home field advantage in the World Series, let the best players play.