Tweaking MLB's All-Star Game

The Mid-Summer Classic has come and gone, but with it has come a lot of debate about the baseball All-Star Game (ASG), such as who should be in it and what it should mean for the winning side. I'll tackle both of these questions by proposing what many would consider a radical idea!

MLB All-Star Game

The ASG as we know it today is comprised of 35-40 man rosters. Each team must be represented by at least one player. Also contributing to the inflation of the rosters are ineligible pitchers (due to pitching 3 days prior to the All-Star Game), which must be replaced. And, since that infamous tie in 2002, the winning league of the ASG is rewarded with home field advantage in the World Series.

The biggest problem with the All-Star Game as it is currently constituted is the fact that it is caught between being a fun, whimsical exhibition, and a game with a lot on the line. The fun exhibition aspect is the huge rosters that must include at least one player from every team. The starters come to the plate one or two times before the parade of players begins. On the other hand, home field advantage for the World Series hangs in the balance while the first-team All-Stars are riding the pine during the last half of the game. If Baseball would settle on what it wanted in an all-star game, perhaps it wouldn't seem like such a dichotomy and draw so much attention for a need to change. But for now, it is what it is, and I'll gladly contribute my two cents toward MLB All-Star Game reformation:

I love the fact that the World Series home field advantage is riding on the ASG. Therefore, my suggested changes are centric to this idea. (By the way, as a side note, the reason why I like the ASG determining home field advantage is because no other fair alternative exists. MLB play unbalanced schedules within their own divisions, let alone leagues. Each league's wildcard is somewhat affected by this. Bottom line, there just aren't enough crossover games from league to league to fairly compare season records). I solve Baseball's all-star dilemma in two easy steps:

• Step One: Trim the roster down to 25. Continue to let the fans choose the starters and the previous year's WS managers fill the remaining rosters out. The MLB can continue to allow the last (25th) man voted in by the fans if they wish.  End the parade of players in the ASG and allow the managers to manage for a win, not to make everyone happy. Also, if a team can make it in the playoffs with a 25 man roster, then an All-Star team can compete in a short series with 25 men as well. Wait... a short series?
• Step Two: Turn the All-Star Game into a best-of-three All-Star Series. I understand that this seems like a radical change. The baseball season is already too long by the opinions of many, so why extend it any further? Most of the MLB players will be watching the All-Star festivities from their couches, so this actually gives them a bit of a welcomed break halfway through the marathon season. Those fortunate enough to be selected should welcome the opportunity to play in an All-Star Series to determine which league will have home field advantage in the World Series. Also, this solves the problem of pitchers pitching too close to the All-Star Game to be eligible to participate. Based on my All-Star Series schedule (see below), anyone pitching in the last game prior to the break would be able to pitch in Game 3, and therefore would not need to be replaced. And who couldn't resist MLB's All-Stars for at least a two, possibly three, game series!

All-Star Series Schedule

Sat - Last first half game played

Sun - Off, travel

Mon - HR derby

Tues - G1

Wed - G2

Thur - G3 (if necessary)

Fri - Off, travel

Sat - First game of 2nd half played

(Posted from Great Anerican Ball Park)