Other changes....

Some other thoughts on the All Star Game:

5 days All star break. ASG playted on day 4. Here's why. Starting pitchers pitching on Sunday are assumed to be too tired (read: fragile) to pitch two days later. Maybe this is the case. I don't know. But 4 days rest is not completely crazy for pitching 3 innings.

Fan voting - Fans get to vote in their favorites for each position. But they do not vote STARTERS. This allows a manager to put the best team on the field, and plug in where necessary.

Player voting - see above.

Alternates in case of injury - Manager's Discretion. Period.

"Super-Utility" selection - Could be a player vote. Could be a fan vote. Whatever. Qualifying player must have at lease 20 AB's while playing at least 3 different positions of the season. This does NOT includ DH. Gives the manager more flexibility.

Expanded rosters. Each team's manager selects 3 ptichers to be used only if the game enters extra innings, AND the bullpen is empty. Avoids Francona's stress in the 15th.

Everybody has to play - What is this? Freakin' little league? Your guy doesn't get in the game, deal with it.

Managing the ASG - Manager of the Teams with the best records in their respective leagues at the exact half way point, not at the break. You're playing for the Series, you should help determine who get's the bump. Example, last year, enter the conspiracy theories. Tony LaRussa manages the ASG, and with the NL down by one run in the bottom of the 9th, with one on, he chooses between Aaron Rowand and Albert Puljos. His team's not the race. Puljos is arguably one of the best hitters in the game. He goes with Rowand.

Bull#$%^

Put that minute in your pipe and smoke it :)

Making it count...

First of allthe biggest change that needs to be made. He's my thought -

An exhibition game should NEVER determine the most important advantage in sports for the most important series in that sport. More on home field advantage later. The winning league of the ASG should be given a 2-3 game handicap when determining home field advantage. Example this year's WS contenders - THIS IS NOT A PREDICTION, just an example.

Red Sox - 94-68 vs Cubs 97 - 65.

Red Sox given 2 game handicap - 96 wins vs 97. NL gets home field.

By today's standards, here's another example:

Rays (wild card) 87-75 vs Cubs 97 - 65.

Michael Young hits a sac fly. AL gets homefield advantage. Cubs play the best season in recent memory and get screwed.

There's a minute on that...