The All Star Game Is Quite Useless

The All Star Game is quite useless. The game is given the awesome power of deciding home field advantage for the playoffs, yet at the same time it is possible for a player to leave the game and reenter in case of an injury, a rule change that can only render the game an exhibition, a showcase, not a serious baseball game. So, disregarding the joke of home advantage, is the All Star game a good showcase for the best players in the game? Any look at this year's roster shows that many of the best players this season are not playing. Why is this? Because All Star selection is a popularity contest. Some might think this is okay, that fans should vote for who they want to see, because the game is for them. Well, let me just say to anyone that is interested in a popularity contest: I don't understand you, and I never will, so please, stay away from me. The manager's and player's picks are also a joke. They really don't have any idea who should be in the All Star game, and they shouldn't have to worry about it. So who should select the teams? Baseball writers? They seem the best choice. Unfortunately many of them are still living in the Middle Ages. Let's also not forget that selection to the game gives recognition for HALF a player's season. Of course, afterwards, all star selection is used to evaluate a player's career. Multiple All Star appearances end up being used by self-conscious GMs to explain the trade of a first round pitching prospect for a 2nd baseman with a career OPS of .749 (Yes, I know Tim Alderson sucks now). Why was Freddy Sanchez selected to the All Star game 3 times? Because he was on the Pirates. I won't even go into that little rule, that states every team must have a selection. Fascism like that hasn't been seen since Franco died in 1975. I can just imagine, a few years ago, when Freddy Sanchez stepped to the plate in the All star game, that a certain commentator said something to the effect of: "Freddy Sanchez is unknown nationally because he plays in Pittsburgh". No, it's because he's not that good.
Having said all of this against the All Star game, I'll admit, I don't think there's anything wrong with recognizing who have been the best players at each position so far this season. But who should decide the players? Me, of course. Keeping in mind how useless the All Star Game is, I have constructed my own rosters for the NL and AL. I admire baseball too much not to.

The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it greatly.

-Oscar Wilde