Bottom Of The Barrel

All most another All-Star fiasco

In 2002, the MLB All-Star game held in Milwaukee, ended in controversy in the 11th inning, when both teams ran out of substitute players available to pitch in relief. At that point, Commissioner Bud Selig, coincidentally a Milwaukee native and former owner of the Brewers, declared the game to end in a tie [this was the second ever tie in All-Star history]. In an effort to avoid this from happening again, Major League Baseball reached an agreement with the players union to award home-field advantage for the World Series to the league that won the All-Star Game [in place of the old alternated-between-the-two-leagues-each-year method].

Home field atvantage and all, it almost happened again. Last night the All-Star game ended in the bottom of the 15th inning when Michael Young hit a sac fly to right field scoring Justin Morneau. If the AL had not scored in the 15th, both teams would have entered the 16th inning with no more eligble pitchers and would then have to use a position player to pitch.

Sure the fans want to see their player get into the game, but I think the managers have to better balance the need to win the game with the need to give each player an inning to play, especailly pitchers. Either that or find a better way to determine home feild atvantage, like best record used in other major sports.

Labels: MLB

posted by TheWino @ 8:45 AM