Longing For Younger Days

I was worried tonight that I was going to miss the start of the MLB All-Star Game. I had heard it promoted as a 7:45 start on ESPN radio. Fox told me to check in around 8:00. So, imagine my surprise when I was able to switch away from some other shows around 8:45 and still catch the first pitch. Of course, this is all tongue-in-cheek. Of course I knew the game wouldn't get started until close to 9:00. The event is more about the lead up now than the actual event. I understand that to a point. These media companies need to make money.

It's why I was not upset about LeBronapalooza last week. ESPN had to take that show. If not them, someone else gets great ratings and the profits that come from that. If anybody is to blame, it's the entourage surrounding LeBron, for putting that sham together. (Although, I do think the charitable benefit of the Decision is not being talked about enough) I am probably only bitter because Jim Gray was bought...err... selected to be the interviewer. I don't understand his reputation. I guess I still haven't gotten over his sensational, "look at me," interview with Pete Rose at the All-Star game in 1999. There are times and places to ask the tough questions or conduct the softball interview. At least, that's my opinion.

Which leads us back full circle to my mood tonight. Why do I not care one bit about the All-Star game? This is the same game I had to beg my mother to let me stay up (while with the flu) to watch 20 years ago because I wanted to see Andre Dawson play. I remember the Home Run Derby being the ultimate competition, one that I re-enacted in my backyard for 364 more days, with some creative help from a large bush, the neighbors fence and some juiced (grass stuffed) whiffle balls. So, what happened? I don't think my aging lost anything.

This may be a bit of a stretch, but I think the All-Star game meltdown is a larger symptom of the disease of sports athletes; where increased salaries and egos have taken away much of the older joys of sports. I'll spare some sort of lecture here.

Is it still an honor to be an All-Star? Of course it is. But, I don't remember the game resembling Kinder Care and MASH back in the 1980s. There are more players sitting with mild bruises, or bringing their litter of children to the game than ever before. Why? Because they can. With so much money invested in them, they are spoiled, yet high-risk investments. Thanks to the egos, everybody has to play too, so we get a scripted chorus line of players.

How does baseball try to fix it? By concocting some scheme where home field advantage in the World Series is riding on a game where the best of the best aren't even playing in crunch time. Brilliant! If anything, I think that rule made the game harder for me to watch. I actually find myself confused about whether the players are having fun, sort of trying or showboating. And the rule eliminates any possibility of Chan Ho Park Part 2, serving up a glory home run to Cal Ripken Jr.

So, I sit here tonight, enjoying the fact that Ryan Braun laid out to catch a fly ball (I would too if I has having his season; gotta justify that starting spot), but wondering if the players care enough about the game to put on a show worth watching. And, on a parallel thought, how we have removed ourselves from caring about the "stars" because of the 24-7 access we have to them. I want to DVR this game and watch every inning like it's a World Series contest, but I just can't. Hola, Hills series finale!

- Will