by
Greek Giant
Hyun-Jin Ryu faces Justin Verlander in the 2019 All Star Game in Cleveland. First pitch is at 7:30 PM, Jim Thome Time. The National League has been dominated by the Americans for most of the past twenty years and it’s beginning to annoy me. It appears the superior American League talent actually matters in a single game.
1979 All Star Game
You would think by freak luck alone the National League would have won a few more than three of the past twenty-two Mid-Summer Classics (one game ended in that infamous tie thanks to the devolution of this once great game into a carnival sideshow because managers decided everyone should play and damn the consequences.).
1981 All Star Game
I really, really, really wish I was the NL Manager because this is what I would say:
“This game matters. It’s more than just an exhibition and a time to show off, make new friends and please the fans. It matters because the National League is the Senior Circuit, the older and more traditional league where pitchers still hit. It’s the league that gave rise to Willie Mays and Henry Aaron. It’s the league that broke the racist segregation of African American players. It’s the league that you play for, that you represent and that you should be proud to be in. These American Leaguers have owned you for the past 23 years and nobody seems to care. It’s time to care. It’s time to show some pride and competitive spirit!”
I would show them highlights from the 1979, 1981, and 2012 games.
I would ask them to stop treating the game as a photo op and a joke. I would ask them to respect the game and its history.
2012 All Star Game
This is the only game in which I root for Dodger players.
San Francisco Giants All Star Game MVPS
- Willie Mays, 1963
- Juan Marichal, 1965
- Willie Mays, 1968
- Willie McCovey, 1969
- Bobby Bonds, 1973
- Melky Cabrera, 2012
Go National League!