Should Every Team Have an All-Star?

With Major League Baseball's All-Star roster just being announced, it's time for people to discuss who got snubbed, and who will win the Home Run Derby. Another question that gets talked about, is should every team be represented in the All-Star Game?

The short answer is NO!

The funny thing is, it wasn't always this way. From 1986 (my first baseball memory, thanks Boston.) to 2002, it was an emphatic YES! However, since 2003, I have felt that not every team should have a representative. What happened all of a sudden to make someone change their mind after 22 years?

Well, in 2003, Major League Baseball changed the way home field advantage for the World Series was determined. Instead of it being the team with the best overall record, it was determined by which league won the All-Star Game. Prior to 2003, it really didn't matter who won the game. Naturally, the players want to win for competition's sake, but for the fans, it's nice to see every team be represented. Another plus to having a representative from every team, is that the game has a mix of both small and large market teams.

Now, it's different. Although the All-Star game is technically still an exhibition game, it really isn't, since "This time, it counts". If it's going to count, and you need to win, then why not fill your roster with the best players in the league once the fans have finished voting. The Yankees thus far have shown this may not be successful over the course of a season, but for a one game play-off, I'll take my chances. Yeah, it would still be nice to see every team represented. But, if your team has a chance of making the play-offs, and home field advantage is riding on this game, you'd rather see the best of the best, rather than a guy who's good, but only got picked because there had to be someone from every team on the roster.

Unfortunately, from a business standpoint, it would make all too much sense to fill the team with Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets while leaving the Rangers, Royals, and Devil Rays out of the mix. "This time, it counts" plays with our psyches. On one hand, we want to be fair and not leave teams out, but on the other, we want our respective league to win, so our team may get home field advantage (assuming our team has a chance to make the World Series). Let's face it, we want to have our cake and eat it too. "This time, it counts" doesn't allow for that. If I could be commissioner for a day, I'd get rid of "This time, it counts". Not that the old system was perfect, but it was at least justifiable and seemed to make a little more sense.