[justjim]

Those of us who like baseball were treated to an excellent game last night won by the National League by a home run playoff. The game was tied after nine innings, each league chose 3 batters, who got three swings to decide the outcome. A new “twist” that was very unique and exciting IMHO. All star games have a tendency to be somewhat boring but not this one. Atlanta, the host, put on a “good show” from beginning to end.

[Rainger99]

I used to love the All Star game. I used to know all the starters and most of the alternates. I watched the game last night and I only recognized a handful of players - Judge, Ohtani, Kershaw and a few others.

AL Starters
C: Cal Raleigh (SEA)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)
2B: Gleyber Torres (DET)
3B: Junior Caminero (TB) +
SS: Jacob Wilson (ATH)
OF: Aaron Judge (NYY)
OF: Riley Greene (DET)
OF: Javier Báez (DET)
DH: Ryan O'Hearn (BAL)
SP: Tarik Skubal (DET)

NL Starters
C: Will Smith (LAD)
1B: Freddie Freeman (LAD)
2B: Ketel Marte (AZ)
3B: Manny Machado (SD)
SS: Francisco Lindor (NYM)
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)
OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC)
OF: Kyle Tucker (CHC)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAD)
SP: Paul Skenes (PIT)

It used to be a real game. Now it is more of an exhibition like the NBA all star game.

That being said, the home run shoot out was an interesting way to end the game quickly. Hopefully those home runs will not count for All Star game records.

It was also interesting that they allowed teams to challenge balls and strikes. I believe you get two in a game and unlimited if you are successful.

Also, last month Jacob Misiorowski was pitching in the minors. His first MLB appearance was June 12, 2025!! He pitched in last night’s game.

[Stu from NYC]

I would prefer extra innings. Using the ghost runner would probably add at most an inning or two.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I used to love the All Star game. I used to know all the starters and most of the alternates. I watched the game last night and I only recognized a handful of players - Judge, Ohtani, Kershaw and a few others.

AL Starters
C: Cal Raleigh (SEA)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)
2B: Gleyber Torres (DET)
3B: Junior Caminero (TB) +
SS: Jacob Wilson (ATH)
OF: Aaron Judge (NYY)
OF: Riley Greene (DET)
OF: Javier Báez (DET)
DH: Ryan O'Hearn (BAL)
SP: Tarik Skubal (DET)

NL Starters
C: Will Smith (LAD)
1B: Freddie Freeman (LAD)
2B: Ketel Marte (AZ)
3B: Manny Machado (SD)
SS: Francisco Lindor (NYM)
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)
OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC)
OF: Kyle Tucker (CHC)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAD)
SP: Paul Skenes (PIT)

It used to be a real game. Now it is more of an exhibition like the NBA all star game.

That being said, the home run shoot out was an interesting way to end the game quickly. Hopefully those home runs will not count for All Star game records.

It was also interesting that they allowed teams to challenge balls and strikes. I believe you get two in a game and unlimited if you are successful.

Also, last month Jacob Misiorowski was pitching in the minors. His first MLB appearance was June 12, 2025!! He pitched in last night’s game.

I just wonder how many Villagers watched the MLB All Star game last night. Do they know or do they care the all stars were playing last night? At one point in time, baseball was considered “America’s pastime”. Obviously, that is not a true statement today.

Many believe the game is too slow for our fast pace society today. Maybe not as slow as a five hour round of golf, or as a soccer game with a score of 2 to 1, but too slow anyway. Tickets cost too much, beer is outrageous at the ballpark and players are paid way too much.

My neighbors follow their favorite baseball team from the region or city they came from before retiring to The Villages. At most we could name a dozen players. I came from Illinois and the Chicago Cubs, had two players on the National league all star team. Yep, hardly worth watching unless you really still like America’s pastime game. Pastime perhaps being the operative word. Fore.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by justjim

I just wonder how many Villagers watched the MLB All Star game last night. Do they know or do they care the all stars were playing last night? At one point in time, baseball was considered “America’s pastime”. Obviously, that is not a true statement today.

Many believe the game is too slow for our fast pace society today. Maybe not as slow as a five hour round of golf, or as a soccer game with a score of 2 to 1, but too slow anyway. Tickets cost too much, beer is outrageous at the ballpark and players are paid way too much.

All those things are true, but I think free agency & money ruined baseball. It's a team game, but there aren't any more "teams" ... they rent players, a few years at a time.

Ted Williams was always with the Red Sox, as was Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice.

Could Cal Ripken be anything other than an Oriole? Sandy Koufax not a Dodger?

Free Agency started it, Billy Beane & Sabermetrics finished ruining baseball.

[Snakster66]

Schwarbombs for the win!