Regular readers know that I don’t do the All-Star Game. Adrian Gonzalez pretty well sums up why:
All it is is a reminder of the market we’re in. When it comes to voting for the All-Star Game, it’s all about publicity, all about what market you play for. It’s how ESPN puts you out there. They’re a big reason for who gets publicity and who doesn’t.
As I’ve said before, San Diego is not ESPN’s target audience — and for good reason. New York, Boston, and a few other markets pay the bills, so it only makes sense that players from teams representing those cities should dominate the rosters. I don’t have a real problem with that, but neither does it inspire me to invest any time or energy in the event.
Plus there’s the whole self-congratulatory nature of the thing. I won’t have anything to do with the Oscars for the same reason — just shut up and make me some more movies.
That said, I’m totally down with the concept of a break. I’ll be taking the next few days off as I continue my re-assimilation into the so-called real world. Then we’ll start examining some of the themes that have emerged over the first half of a disappointing season.
Until then, be excellent to one another. See you Thursday.
#88@Schlom: No, by itself I would not consider that tanking. I may or may not be happy with trading those two guys (depending on what they get back), but if the Padres made that move I would not assume they are attempting to lose more games. I would assume they are trying to win more games next year.
Like Lynch Mob said, it really is all about appearances. If, on the other hand, we didn’t trade those guys but sat them for the rest of the season while pitching Estes and Tomko. . .that would be tanking.