2. Reduce Spots & Take Away Team Rep
34 spots for each league is simply outrageous.
Of course we know how we got here. During 2002 each squad was represented by 30 players. This, of course, turned out to not be enough as both teams ran out of pitchers and the game ended in a tie.
Now, however, it has ballooned to a ridiculous level.
The more spots that are handed out, the less prestigious each spot becomes. This unfortunately includes injury replacements and pitchers that will be unavailable because they pitch on the Sunday prior.
Go back to 25 roster spots and name “backup pitchers” in the case the game goes to extra-innings. These backup pitchers won’t officially be All-Stars, but having their name cemented as an “Alternate All-Star” will be an honor in itself.
These could be young phenom pitchers (in the new era of pitching) who would be excited about receiving the honor of going with the team to the All-Star Game. Veterans wouldn’t want to do it, but guys who are green would.
Furthermore, the necessity that is the team representative must go now.
This was a great idea during the times that the internet and this world of instant news didn’t exist, but now with information and videos about any player in the world at our fingertips, it simply isn’t needed.
Who want to watch Janathan Papelbon on Tuesday night? Nobody.
