Blogaroo time …

Just a few thoughts about the 2012 ASG:

I think we’re all in agreement that the ASG is a meaningless affair, and that trying to validate its existence by awarding home field advantage is ridiculous.

I heard Gregg Zaun say that in 2006 when the Cards won the World Series, they finished the season with 80-something wins and were awarded home field throughout the playoffs because the NL won the ASG. The kicker is that the Yankees had 100-something wins and were by far the best team during the regular season. I’m all for kicking the Yankees while their down, but I feel that the best team during the season should be awarded home field in the playoffs.

Anyways, this is a philosophical difference that I think people will continue to debate.

About last night’s HR derby: truth be told, I’m a fan. I liken it to watching Blake Griffin in the slam dunk competition. I know it means nothing, but it’s interesting to watch what is possible. Take for example Mark Trumbo’s blast off the roof of the structure in left field! Because of that, I believe it is now apt to refer to Trumbo as Paul Bunyan or Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter because dude can swing a stick.

Another thought I had was, are there any ribs left in all of Missouri after John Kruk and Andrew Jones got to town. The banter between Kruk and Nomaaaaaaaa (my twin) was entertaining as well.

Who would have envisioned seeing four players on an Albert Pooholes team yucking it up and high-fiving without seeing Pooholes. For the record those players are Weaver, Wilson, Trout and Trumo. All of whom are deserving of being there.

Lastly, and somewhat more seriously, watching the ASG in Kansas City made me aware that revenue sharing between teams actually works. Take the Royals for example. Kauffman stadium is an amazing ball park, and the Royals are a very talented, young team with the likes of Moustakis, Gordon, Perez, Hosmer etc. I imagine that a large part of the money the Royals received from teams like the Yankees and ‘Sox went into renovating the stadium and improving team scouting.

Let’s look at a couple other examples. The Bucs, currently first in the NL Central, also play in a gorgeous park (PNC) and have a team built around excellent scouting. The Orioles, currently second in the AL East play at Camden Yards – my choice for nicest ball park in the league.  The Orioles boast a young core of players, namely Weiters and Jones, and have a bevy of pitching prospects coming up the pipeline.  All three stadiums ranked very high on ESPNs nicest ballparks in North America list.

It appears as though these three teams are following a similar formula; first build a facility which is beautiful and will attract fans, and second invest in minor league scouting and marketing of those players.  It’s almost too bad that during the dreary years of the Jays, the team wasn’t quite bad enough to take advantage of the revenue sharing opportunity. It’s encouraging to see perennial cellar dwellers; the Bucs, O’s, and Royals doing well and having a bright future.

Another thought goes out to those who disagree with the rule that every team has to have a representative at the ASG. I encourage this rule - infact I embrace it. Think about what would happen if this rule didn't exist ... the entire AL starting line up would consist of Yankees and 'Sox players. As a Jays fan I already have to watch 30 games against these teams, none of whom I'm excited to see. The only reason I'd watch the game is to see guys I don't get to very often, mainly NL players or the AL teams on the left coast.

In lieu of my lack of interest for the ASG, who do you think is being sent home on Hell’s Kitchen tonight ?