Michael Weiner defended the players who pulled out of the All-Star game:
“I think what you’re seeing this year is just a bunch of individual circumstances that have added up,” Weiner said before Sunday’s Futures Game. “I think players understand the importance of the All-Star Game to the fans. They understand the honor it is to participate in the All-Star Game. By and large, I think players are excited to participate in the game. I just think we happened to have a series of circumstances this year, including a lot of Sunday starters, that have led to this situation.”
I remember a year when the American League president (back when the leagues were separate) asked the managers not to pitch all stars on the Sunday before the break. Maybe the All-Stars should be announced a few days earlier so managers can adjust their rotations.
Let the players arrange their own all star game and keep all the proceeds. I am serious. MLB has made a mess of the ASG.
They used to do barnstorming tours as far away as Shanghai and did quite well for themselves. Under the current system, there is no incentive for the players to show up and perform. Let them run it and work out a TV deal for themselves and work out a deal with the stadium owners for gate receipts.
Influencing the regular season would never work, especially if it effects all star aces on contending teams. Wins are too valuable to lose a start from your best pitcher just so they can pitch in a game that doesn’t matter (I know, I know.)