All-Star Game

Originally published in The Daily Journal on 12 July 2001.

Cal Ripken played his last All-Star game Tuesday in Seattle and Major League Baseball arranged to make it a memorable one. Before the first pitch, we had Cal moving to his old position at shortstop. We had interviews, tape from his minor league days, and Joe Buck, who appears to be Ripken’s personal biographer. Fox hit it big when Ripken launched a home run his first time up.

Before the start of the sixth inning, we heard his replacement announced. The game was stopped to honor Cal’s historical achievement (accomplished in 1995). All the players came out to greet him. Tony Gwynn, who was also honored, was subjected to questions about Ripken. To complete this spectacle, Ripken was named the game’s most valuable player.

Contrast this love-fest with the 1970 All Star game at the newly opened Riverfront Stadium. It was the bottom of the 12th inning. The score was tied. Pete Rose was standing at second when Chicago Cub Jim Hickman singled up the middle. Rose rounded third and sprinted for home.

Cleveland catcher Ray Fosse came up the line to take the throw. Rose fiercely collided with the catcher to score the winning run. The National League won its eighth consecutive All-Star game.

There was a time, not too long ago, that the All- Star game was an occasion for the players representing their respective league to play hard for bragging rights. Other than spring training and the World Series, the All- Star game was the only time the two leagues played each other. With the inter-league schedules, the movement of players on a regular basis, and the bonuses for making the team, the All- Star game has lost its luster. Some have even stated the Home Run Derby has surpassed the game.

All but one player played in Tuesday’s game. In that 1970 All-Star game, seven players did not make it into an extra inning game. The following year, the American League alone kept seven players on the bench to capture its only win between ‘63 and ‘82.

The storyline the networks present interferes with the game.

Substitutions are not announced and pitches are not shown because there is an interview in the dugout or tape from long ago played. The game is the background for the story. Shame on baseball.

Historical achievements are usually honored after a player’s career has ended. On Tuesday, we began the farewell tour of this year’s retirements. One can only expect more victory laps as September approaches.

Baseball fans, however, will focus on the pennant race. Let’s go, Phils!

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