MLB is dropping its rule that the winning team of the All-Star Game gets home-field advantage during the World Series as part of the new CBA agreed to last night, but the league is hoping a "new incentive will keep the players' competitiveness nearly as fiery as a regular-season game," according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. There will be a "pool of cash that goes to the winning players." The exact payout is unknown now, and while it "may seem like pocket change to the players ... you can be assured that this will pique their interest." However, only time will tell "how the All-Star Game will be affected," as the game became "immeasurably better" after the tie game in '02 (USATODAY.com, 12/1). NBCSPORTS.com's Craig Calcaterra writes giving home-field advantage to the team with the best record during the regular season "is not perfect ... given unbalanced schedules and stuff, but it's far less arbitrary than the winner of an exhibition game no one takes seriously determining things." He writes former Commissioner Bud Selig comes out as a "loser" in this, as the All-Star Game tie-in "was his baby." But his legacy likely "does not depend upon such a silly thing" (NBCSPORTS.com, 12/1). ESPN.com's David Schoenfield sarcastically writes he will "feel bad for the kids who have grown up with the All-Star Game counting for something." Schoenfield: "Now what? Will they miss caring whether Eduardo Nunez gets into the game?" (ESPN.com, 12/1).
GOTTA GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT: Twitter was abuzz with news of the development, with ESPN's Trey Wingo writing, "Kudos to MLB for finally getting rid of the All Star game determining home field advantage for World Series. Worst idea..ever." MLB Network Radio's Casey Stern: "MLB All-Star game going back to normal, reversing one of the dumbest decisions in the four major sports in my lifetime." Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan: "Praise the lord." N.Y.-based WABC-TV's Ryan Field: "MLB All-Star game should have never determined home field advantage in something as important as World Series. Long overdue they fixed it." Neumann Univ. Industry Relations, Media Specialist for Sport Management Caleb Mezzy: "How is it a dumb rule? It's the only All Star game in all of sports that a) matters and b) defense is played." N.Y. Daily News Sports' official feed: "The @MLB All-Star game will go back to being a meaningless exhibition." Comedy writer Eric Stangel: "World Series home field advantage is now determined by the All-Star week Celebrity Softball Game." CSNBayArea.com's Ray Ratto: "I don't think MLB gave the new more meaningful All-Star Game a real chance. Example: They never tried burning the homes of the losers."
