Webb pitching the 14th inning of the All-Star Game

[Stallion]

Over 100 pitches 2 days ago. Yikes.

Uh...go walk-off HR.

 

[JS22]

Webb dominated.

PLEASE TAKE HIM OUT NOW.

 

[azsouthendzone]

This game is now kind of a mess. No one wants to play at this point. Just call it and flip a coin for HF adv.

 

[Beaver]

The AL better score now or they'll have to forfeit.

 

[Beaver]

OR put Kazmir in LF and let a position player pitch.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Tie anyone? LOL

Just kidding!

 

[Desert Rat]

Since the D-backs have been playing, the NL has never won an All-Star Game. Conversely, ever since the (Devil)Rays have set foot on a baseball diamond, the AL has never lost and All-Star Game.

Looks like the D-backs will be playing game one on the road.

 

[BC867]

Over 100 pitches 2 days ago. Yikes.

But happily it turned out to be like his warming up between starts.

Retired the side in order with two strikeouts. Good show.

 

[JS22]

I was actually hoping that this game would continue to drag on just for sheer entertainment value - and to see what the hell Selig would do. Attaching home field advantage to the all-star game is a travesty. Quite possibly one of the most ******** decisions a league has ever made.

 

[scXfreakX]

I was actually hoping that this game would continue to drag on just for sheer entertainment value - and to see what the hell Selig would do. Attaching home field advantage to the all-star game is a travesty. Quite possibly one of the most ******** decisions a league has ever made.

I agree. The All-Star game should be purely about fun and nothing else. But, it does have an importance and that kinda takes some of the fun from the game away. Very dumb thing Selig did.

 

[Nasser22]

I actually like that rule now..I can understand the criticism of it, but it makes it much more enjoyable. Baseball can be pretty boring if it's a meaningless game. What I want them to change is the fan voting...starters should be picked by the managers with all the reserves voted on by fans.

 

[FArting]

I think they should determine home field advantage by best record.

 

[Mulli]

I think they should determine home field advantage by best record.

Yup.

 

[DWKB]

I'm with Nasser on this one. I thought last nights game was really enthralling. Eventually, the NL players and fans of NL teams are going to get tired of getting beat and will take the voting and league pride a little more seriously.

The competition was much more intense than in recent past where everyone was just glad to be there. Part of this, I assume is the last ASG in Yankee Stadium. They had no cancellations this year.

To see Milton Bradley hustle down the line on an IF GB or to see all those plays at the plate (Quentin taking out the C to keep out of the DP) was real baseball to me.

Last night was the most I've personally enjoyed watching the ASG since I was under 20.

All decision on HFA are going to be flawed or arbitrary. Best record has no real meaning with Interleague play and unbalanced schedules. Why is it better than the ASG?

 

[BC867]

I think they should determine home field advantage by best record.

I also agree. It doesn't even correlate directly. Home field advantage for the teams that advance to the World Series are decided based on the league that won the All Start game?

This game was close to being called a tie for the second time this decade. If that doesn't confince Bud-lite Selig it makes no sense, he should be back in Milwaukee. Back when they were in the American League.

You can't overlook that the AL's dominance is a factor. Any policy decision includes the fact that the AL has been highly dominating the All Star games.

And that puts the NL team at a disadvantage every year in the World Series.

The rule should be rescinded immediately. Along with the DH rule. The AL is starting to use strategy once again -- the hit-and-run, stolen bases. Let them use strategy regarding how long a pitcher stays in the game, too.

 

[DWKB]

I also agree. It doesn't even correlate directly. Home field advantage for the teams that advance to the World Series are decided based on the league that won the All Start game?

This game was close to being called a tie for the second time this decade. If that doesn't confince Bud-lite Selig it makes no sense, he should be back in Milwaukee. Back when they were in the American League.

You can't overlook that the AL's dominance is a factor. Any policy decision includes the fact that the AL has been highly dominating the All Star games.

And that puts the NL team at a disadvantage every year in the World Series.

The rule should be rescinded immediately. Along with the DH rule. The AL is starting to use strategy once again -- the hit-and-run, stolen bases. Let them use strategy regarding how long a pitcher stays in the game, too.

So why doesn't the NL get better players? It's the AL's fault they are better?

I know we've gone over it before, but there is no real proof of strategy over pitcher usage in the NL vs the AL. 'The Book' has already been written and only LaRussa has ever shown inclination to think outside it. The DH advantage is in bench construction, not pitching management.

 

[BC867]

So why doesn't the NL get better players? It's the AL's fault they are better?

Why doesn't the NL get better players, DWKB?

They've always said in baseball that good pitching beats good hitting. Look at RJ and Schilling bringing a Championship to Phoenix. Two starting pitchers.

Don't you think that better pitching prospects are attracted to the AL than NL?

Whether starting pitchers remain in the game in the AL is based on their performance, not the need to pinch-hit for them.

That's the Commissioner's fault for allowing two inconstant sets of rules.

And the results sure show in the All Star games, which has determined home field advantage in the World Series for the American League for years.

How can a neutral party such as what the Commissioner is supposed to be allow a rule which has led to such one-sided results?

"Why doesn't the NL get better players?" (as though "the NL" is one person signing players). Because it's been set up as an uneven playing field. That's why.

 

[DWKB]

Why doesn't the NL get better players, DWKB?

They've always said in baseball that good pitching beats good hitting. Look at RJ and Schilling bringing a Championship to Phoenix. Two starting pitchers.

Except when it doesn't. Anyways, I believe that both the NL and AL have some pretty good pitchers.

Don't you think that better pitching prospects are attracted to the AL than NL?

Actually I believe that all pitching prospects end up where they are because of the organization that drafted them or traded for them and brought them up. Typically you see the exact opposite phenomenon from FA pitchers. They GO TO the NL. Afterall, you don't have to face but 8 hitters in the NL as opposed to 9 in the AL, right?

Whether starting pitchers remain in the game in the AL is based on their performance, not the need to pinch-hit for them.

Well let's talk specific situations where you'd pull a pitcher in the NL and keep them in in the AL and we can dissect the difference in strategy instead of going off of generalities.

That's the Commissioner's fault for allowing two inconstant sets of rules.

Commissioner's allowing 30 sets of rules. Why do we keep building different sized ballparks?

And the results sure show in the All Star games, which has determined home field advantage in the World Series for the American League for years.

NL had an eleven game winning streak from 1972 to 1982. Played a lot of DH back then. Even so, when they play in the AL parks, the DH is for both teams. Are you telling me the NL can't find one more big bat to throw on the team?

How can a neutral party such as what the Commissioner is supposed to be allow a rule which has led to such one-sided results?

Commissioner hasn't been neutral since Landis. The Commissioner is responsible to the owners.

"Why doesn't the NL get better players?" (as though "the NL" is one person signing players). Because it's been set up as an uneven playing field. That's why.

No, it's not uneven. There is no inherent advantage for an everyday player to go to the AL over the NL. Only the hitters who can't field would have that desire, and certainly not pitchers as you claimed earlier.