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Kincade & Salciunas: Weekdays 6am – 10am

When It Comes To The MLB All-Star Game, I’m All In, Here’s Why

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Author Bob Cooney
Nick Castellanos #8 and Craig Kimbrel #31 of the Philadelphia Phillies look on during Gatorade MLB All-Star Workout Day at T-Mobile Park on July 10, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

Nothing has really changed for me when it comes to the MLB All-Star Game. From talking to my co-workers at the station, I seem to be in the minority. As a child, whose life revolved around playing and watching sports all year round, this was a terrible time of the year as you encounter the only two days of the year that don’t have a professional sport being played. That being on the Monday before the All-Star Game and the Wednesday after. But, I also loved it. Because of all the All-Star games played among the professional sports I enjoy baseball’s the most. And it’s not even close. 

When I was a kid, it was so cool to me to watch players who I assumed hated each other because of their rivalries, come together to try and beat those hated American Leaguers. There was always more than a couple of Phillies sprinkling the National League roster, and of course that added to my interest. And the fact the Phillies often wore white cleats instead of their normal red ones
(I know, it’s odd) seemed cool to me. 

…

But as I grew as a person and as a sports watcher, the reasoning changed why I liked the baseball showcase game more than the other sports and why I still do now. Basketball, hockey, and football play no defense in their all-star games, unlike baseball. It starts with the pitching. Obviously, and those who take the mound are throwing their best stuff in order to get outs. It’s an all-star game that is played the most like a regular season game. Only with the best of the best playing it. Showing off their skills – from pitching to hitting to running and fielding. It’s the pureness of the sport not being besmirched by effortless play. Because there is nothing in professional sports that turns me off more. 

So I’m excited for tonight. With local guy Zac Gallen (Bishop Eustace High School) of the Arizona Diamondbacks getting the start. I’ll be anxious to see an All-Star Game that will have the multiple substitutions of players but will be played in under three hours due to the pitch clock. The power, the speed, the defense, it will all be there. It’s a guarantee. So unlike the other All-Star Games. 

You may also enjoy:

Every Phillies All Star Since 2000

The mid summer classic! Held in the middle of July, the MLB All-Star Game is a staple of the summer time because its time of the year where the four major sports arent active (in meaningful games.) Its when the best of the best get together in a meaningless game where everyone gets to play and most baseball fans dont seem to care.

I think the last time I actually watched the All-Star game was the last year that it counted for something. It was controversial, and many hated it, but the All-Star game deciding home field advantage in the World Series got me to tune in. At the time, the Phillies were good. So I was interested to see if they were to get to the World Series would they have home field advantage or not. Since 2017 the All-Star game hasnt mattered at all and I rarely tune in. But there is a point of pride when your team has multiple representatives.

As I write this (Thursday) there is still time for the Phillies to gain an extra representative because pitchers drop out last minute every year. As of right now the Phillies have one lone representative and its the very deserving Nick Castellanos. Castellanos has had a bounce back season hitting .310/.352/.514 with 40 extra base hits.

So Castellanos will represent the Phillies in 2023 but lets take a look back at the Phillies representatives of the past. Some of these will be a blast from the past since every team needs a representative and there were plenty of seasons where the Phillies were bad.

  • 2023

    Nick Castellanos (outfielder)

    Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

  • 2022

    Kyle Schwarber (outfielder)

    Bryce Harper (outfielder)

    Boston Red Sox v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

  • 2021

    JT Realmuto (catcher)

    Zach Wheeler (starting pitcher)

    Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

  • 2020

    MLB All Star Game was cancelled

    Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

  • 2019

    JT Realmuto (catcher)

    Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

  • 2018

    Aaron Nola (starting pitcher)

    Philadelphia Phillies v Tampa Bay Rays

    (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

  • 2017

    Pat Neshek (relief pitcher….it was a down year for the Phils)

    Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

  • 2016

    Odubel Herrera (outfielder)

    Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

  • 2015

    Jonathan Papelbon (relief pitcher)

    Baltimore Orioles v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

  • 2014

    Chase Utley (second basemen)

    Philadelphia Phillies v San Francisco Giants

    (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

  • 2013

    Domonic Brown! (outfielder)

    Cliff Lee

    Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

  • 2012

    Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

    Jonathan Papelbon (relief Pitcher)

    Carlos Ruiz (Catcher)

    ATLANTA, GA - JULY 05: Pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the fourth nning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.

    (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

  • 2011

    Shane Victorino (outfielder)

    Cliff Lee (starting pitcher)

    Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)

    Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

    Placido Polanco (third basemen)

    DENVER - MAY 12: Starting pitcher Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 12, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Phillies 4-3 in 10 innings.

    (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

  • 2010

    Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)

    Ryan Howard (first basemen)

    Chase Utley (second basemen)

    Philadelphia Phillies v St Louis Cardinals - Game 3

    (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

  • 2009

    Jayson Werth (outfielder)

    Chase Utley (second basemen)

    Raul Ibanez (outfielder)

    Shane Victorino (outfielder)

    Ryan Howard (first basemen)

    Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)

  • 2008

    Chase Utley (second basemen)

    Brad Lidge (relief pitcher

    Los Angeles Dodgers v Philadelphia Phillies, Game 5

    (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

  • 2007

    Chase Utley (second basemen)

    Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

    Aaron Rowand (outfielder)

    NLDS: Colorado Rockies v Philadelphia Phillies, Game 1

    (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

  • 2006

    Chase Utley (second basemen)

    Ryan Howard (first basemen)

    Tom Gordon (relief pitcher)

    Philadelphia Phillies v Washington Nationals

    (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

  • 2005

    Bobby Abreu (outfielder)

    Jimmy Rollins (shortstop)

    Billy Wagner (relief pitcher)

    Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

    (Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images)

  • 2004

    Bobby Abreu (outfielder)

    Jim Thome (first basemen)

    Philadelphia Phillies v Oakland Athletics

    (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

  • 2003

    Randy Wolf (starting pitcher)

    Cardinals v Phillies

    (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

  • 2002

    Scott Rolen (third basemen)

    Jimmy Rollins (short stop)

    Vicente Padilla (starting pitcher)

    Scott Rolen

    Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport

  • 2001

    Jimmy Rollins (short stop)

    Phillies v Cardinals

    (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

  • 2000

    Mike Liberthal (catcher)

    Phillies v D''backs Lieberthal

    Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle/ALLSPORT

 

Bob Cooney has been a part of the Philadelphia sports scene for more years than he wants to admit after 25 years in print media, and now in his seventh year at The Fanatic. Throughout the years, he has covered all sports from the World Series, multiple Final Fours and Regional Finals in men’s college basketball, to the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club and the 76ers. He takes his sports media knowledge and background to a new level by joining a conversation with the passionate fans of this great city. He writes about the Sixers, Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies for the Fanatic.

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