A Letter From An Upset Fan

Seriously, I understand the need to rest a severely injured player, but to miss the All-Star game because of minor nicks and bruises seems silly to me.

An all-star game in the middle of the season is silly. You are rewarding players for half a season, using pitchers effects actual games, and players with minor injuries often skip the game because they have the entire 2nd half of the season to worry about.

Glavine can't pitch because he went yesterday. It's pretty standard. And Pedro is on the DL. Reyes pinch ran yesterday but is otherwise unavailable. Manny has been playing hurt and is in the midst of a pennant race. If he was playing for my team, and he hurt himself in a 19-inning game versus the wild card leader, I'd be OK w/it. If he hurt it playing in the ASG, I'd be pissed.

I have no problem with these guys skipping the All-Star game. What I do have a problem with is the All-Star game meaning homefield advantage in the World Series. That is just absolutely stupid to have these guys (most of whom won't even play in the World Series) deciding the championship. I'm a Sox fan and I would much rather see Manny get some rest and heal up so he can be stronger for the season that actually matters. The other hundreds of players who didn't make the All-Star team get to rest up so why can't Manny? Also, as said before, it's stupid to have the game in the middle of the season, not only because they are rewarded for just one half of a long season, but also because there's a lot more baseball left to be played and that's what the players need to be focused on.

But the All-Star game now matters because it gives home field advantage to a team for the World Series. Sure, this is only an exhibition game, and only a handful of players who play in it will also play in the World Series. But hey, this is Bud Selig's great idea.

glavine doesn't care about the all-star game because his team isn't going to see the World Series!

Would you rather have them get hurt playing in the game??

Believe it or not, I think some players are more concerned about their careers and health more than what you want to see. It's an exhibition game. Hundred's of other players get a few days off, why shouldn't they? Would you rather they slack off the first half so they don't get picked for the team? I'd rather have players in the game that want to be there than guys that are just going through the motions.

Pay the winners alot more and the level play could possibly be raised. Give the rich people something to fight for!!!

Another thing I just thought of is that the MLB All-Star game is held to so much of a higher standard than any other All-Star game. Nobody watches the Pro Bowl because it's after the Super Bowl, the NBA All-Star game is so lax it chould be played in a school yard, the NHL changes their rules every other year. No one gripes nearly as much about the other All-Star games.

Calm down everybody! It's just an all-star game. In the grand scheme of things it's a hugely superfluous endeavor. Besides, it's just a glorified dog & pony show, no real importance. Get pissed if your favorite player breaks a leg in a meaningless all-star preening contest, not if he can't play in said meeningless game.

you know what if Jose Reyes wants to skip the all-star game because of a cut he suffered on his finger than so be it. i don't want to risk the SMALL chance of my TOP lead-off hitter who is batting over .300 with 75 runs scored and 35+ getting hurt to watch my season go down the drain. you can't replace those #'s with a back-up.

if Manny goes out with a season ending injury due to something at the all-star game the whole Red sox team suffers, do you think at that point anyone would pitch to David Ortiz? without manny in the lineup? almost the same thing that happened in SF with Bonds the past few years. Don't let him beat you let the rest of the team try to do it.

and for anyone who is going to pull this rabbit out of their hat "reyes can still play just not slide hands first anyone to protect his finger"....he did that in his 1st call-up with the Mets and at the end of the season he slid into 2nd feet first overslid the bag any twisted his and behind and below his body as it got caught on the bag and that Ended his season.

Perhaps ArmchairGM could get a petition going to remove the All-Star game's homefield advantage tag. THAT would get publicity!

Two minutes ago, I just listened to Harold Reynolds talk about Manny Ramirez. Here is a major statistic: Manny has played in 53 out of 55 innings this week. If he is so hurt with his knee, then why is he playing so much baseball during the regular season? Baseball is a major business and they attract many new customers and money when it comes to the All-Star game. To respond to I am a cpcp, I am not asking Bud to force them to play, I am just down right disapointed. Look at Derek Jeter. He said that he faces the question every time he goes to the All-Star game. He asks himself if he should rest his body or go. He goes everytime because he owes it to the fans. Manny is just downright selfish. Now Michalski81 talked about the value of Jose Reyes. I agree how valuable he is, but come one! It is just a finger. Players play with broken bones every game. Take Pudge last season. He broke a finger and only took a day off. He only has seven stitches and was able to play yesturday. Batting once and fielding in an inning won't ruin his season, especially with the type of injury. Now let's say if Gagne was voted in but declined because he doesn't want to overthrow his shoulder. I would understand that. He has a past history of injuries. Jose doesn't. Manny defenitly doesn't. On a positive note, I am glad Liariano is back in the game. Baseball has the best All-Star game in professional sports.

I agree, it is disappointing that these guys aren't going to play. We voted for them and they are not playing. I still give Jose Reyes credit for appearing at the game. I know as a Mets fan, I don't want to see Reyes get hurt at an All Star game. But Manny isn't even showing up.

It's really tough to take a person serious when they bitch about something like this. Reyes just got seven stiches. Pedro is on the DL. Manny has been nicked up all year. Why would they even consider going to the all-star game? Why would they do something that could worsen their condition, hurt their teams, and hurt potentially hurt their careers for a silly little game that most of the country doesn't give a damn about? If I had it my way, Ortiz, Papelbon, and Loretta would be opting out of the All-Star game too. I don't want to see a single Red Sox player on that team. Why? Because who gives a damn about the All-Star game. I'd rather see the players get some rest and gear up for the rest of the season.