Baseball All-Star Game Can’t Match Past LusterRandy Shawbyline‚ Jul. 09‚ 2007As local media frenzy builds over tomorrow night’s baseball all-star game at San Francisco’s AT&T Park, the event no longer deserves its massive hype. Back in its heyday, the All-Star Game was the only time when fans could see stars like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays on the same field. It also gave fans the rare opportunity to actually watch many baseball heroes who they could otherwise not see, as few games were televised and game highlights on news shows were limited to local teams. Until 1970, the All-Star game was played while most adult fans were at work and kids were in summer camp; this gave the day a uniqueness that was lost when the game became yet another evening sports event. Interleague play and ESPN’s nightly repeat of game highlights has made fans familiar with today’s baseball stars from all teams. As a result, the game has lost the sense of mystery and excitement that once surrounded this annual (and until the 1960’s, biannual) tradition. |