In a recent mailbag, reader Luke N. wrote: “The All-Star Game, in its current form, should be cancelled.”
With voting now open for this year’s Midsummer Classic, let’s dig into what ails the MLB All-Star Game. MLB has tried to infuse enthusiasm into All-Star week — adding the MLB Draft to the existing event lineup: Futures Game, Home Run Derby and All-Star Game — yet it struggles to stand out even in the quietest month on the sports calendar.
Other leagues have gone to great lengths to change the format of their All-Star festivities. Is it time for MLB to make big changes, too?
If Rob Manfred named you MLB’s All-Star czar, what would you change? Maybe it’s the format of the All-Star Game itself. Maybe it’s the selection process, timing or broadcast. Maybe it’s expanding upon the popularity of the Home Run Derby to create an all-out skills competition. All-Star week is your oyster; what’s your plan?
We’ll feature a handful of reader ideas in next week’s mailbag.
