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

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. 

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.

Nick Castellanos (outfielder)

Kyle Schwarber (outfielder)

Bryce Harper (outfielder)

JT Realmuto (catcher)

Zach Wheeler (starting pitcher)

MLB All Star Game was cancelled

JT Realmuto (catcher)

Aaron Nola (starting pitcher)

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

Odubel Herrera (outfielder)

Jonathan Papelbon (relief pitcher)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Domonic Brown! (outfielder)

Cliff Lee

Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

Jonathan Papelbon (relief Pitcher)

Carlos Ruiz (Catcher)

Shane Victorino (outfielder)

Cliff Lee (starting pitcher)

Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)

Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

Placido Polanco (third basemen)

Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)

Ryan Howard (first basemen)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Jayson Werth (outfielder)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Raul Ibanez (outfielder)

Shane Victorino (outfielder)

Ryan Howard (first basemen)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Brad Lidge (relief pitcher

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

Aaron Rowand (outfielder)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Ryan Howard (first basemen)

Tom Gordon (relief pitcher)

Bobby Abreu (outfielder)

Jimmy Rollins (shortstop)

Billy Wagner (relief pitcher)

Bobby Abreu (outfielder)

Jim Thome (first basemen)

Randy Wolf (starting pitcher)

Scott Rolen (third basemen)

Jimmy Rollins (short stop)

Vicente Padilla (starting pitcher)

Jimmy Rollins (short stop)

Mike Liberthal (catcher)