More Insight On The 2014 MLB All Star Game

MLB All Star Game

As bad as the home run derby was (and it was bad, more about that here), the All Star game delivered.

Derek Jeter shined on the first play of the game, making a diving grab and throw that would have gotten anyone but Andrew McCutchen out. And he didn't stop there. Jeter went 2 for 2, with a double and a single, and scored a run. He knocked the double off the right field wall as a well lubricated fan yelled, "Overrated!" (Did anyone else hear a bit of a Bostonian accent in that heckle?)  MVP material, right? Well, it would have been had Mike Trout not gone 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, a triple and a run. He was awarded MVP as MLB prepares to pass the torch to younger players. To ensure its continued success, MLB must do a better job branding its young stars. This was a baby step in the right direction.

One young player not ready to carry the torch is Yasiel Puig. He stayed consistent with his performance in the derby, striking out in all three of his at bats. Yikes.

As I said, the game itself was a good one, and if you cared, you watched it. The American League won 5-3, and as MLB is constantly reminding us because "This time it counts," secured home field advantage for the World Series.

As is usually the case with these events, though, the most compelling story lines didn't come from box scores or defensive gems. First, the players can't seem to decide if the game counts to them or not. Adam Wainwright, the starting pitcher for the NL, may or may not have given Jeter "a couple of pipe shots," as he told Jeff Pasan of Yahoo Sports. Wainwright later backed away from this statement. Try as MLB might, the All Star game seems like an exhibition game still to fans and players.

Jeter got a lot of attention, and if you didn't like it, well, too bad. Any baseball fan should be able to tip their hat to the man. RE2PECT, right? Jeter has respected the game his entire career, played within it, and never tried to become more than the game. His introduction, send off, and the RE2PECT commercial were moments true sports' fans cherish, regardless of their allegiances. Even some Southies will miss Jeetah when he's gone. Too much?



A lot was made over the lack of tribute to Tony Gwynn. Twitter nearly broke from fans expressing their rage. Much of it was exaggerated, and as goes with everything on Twitter, the rest was from people piggybacking a trending topic. I'm in the apparently small camp that doesn't feel an All Star game is the proper moment for a tribute. MLB later said they didn't want to single out any individuals, and, although their phrasing was poor due to the attention given to Jeter, I believe them.

Anyway, we're only halfway through the season, so let's carry the good moments from the All Star game into the rest of the year.

Oh, and next year, if you want the AL to win again, and you want to play your part in that, vote the entire Mets' bullpen in for the National League.

by:: Josh Henderson

Twitter: @verybadwrong