The All-Star Game is Overrated
Of course you all know that. Especially now that it plays no role in the World Series, the All-Star game is simply a popularity contest. If you’re name is Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, or Jose Altuve are almost always shoe-in’s, even on down years. Which is unfortunate that players like Whit Merrifield and Alex Gordon are less likely to have a chance to win a snazzy new car and hoist a glass bat to one day gather dust on their mantle. While baseball is continually faced with the same problems revolving around a dead free agent market, attendance loss, and a recent push for a change in rules, the All-Star game is perhaps the most overlooked issue (rightfully so, however).
Recalling the 2015 All-Star Game, all I remember is that it was basically the KC vs the National League (7 Royals, to be exact). Despite being 90 feet shy of a Championship in 2014, the Royals grabbed enough attention for people to remember they were a major league team, and a very good one. MLB runs a monopoly like any other aspect of our corporate charged society, and makes it difficult for talented players on small market teams to make a name for themselves. At least this remains the case until teams such as Kansas City lose their homegrown talent to single contracts larger than their entire payroll.
Granted, I’m not the first the raise this issue. Writing and posting this article will have absolutely no effect on the outcome of the All-Star Game lineup. I’m just angry, and venting. How does Aaron Judge have more votes than Alex Gordon? He’s played 20 damn games this year. Maybe Major League Baseball needs to come up with something similar to the electoral college, so you can win while losing the popular vote! (If any political arguments are started in the comments, I will delete this post)
Some may say, "The people have spoken!" You know what I say? Harold Steinbrenner’s wallet grew a mouth and vomited out hundreds of millions of dollars. I’m not much for conspiracy theories or anything that can’t be proven through science, but something far more intricate is going on unbeknownst to the public.
Do your duty and vote for players who earn and deserve the recognition.