Major League Baseball may have actually done something right! And not just the "right" that comes after the initial skepticism. No, I think it's a good thing right now.
First off, I'm not the biggest fan of the Designated Hitter ... but I've long lobbied that the DH should be implemented in every All Star Game. Not just the ones in AL parks. It's an All-Star Game and having pitchers hit (even though that rarely happens) is ridiculous.
You may say that, well, what really changes? Well, that means we have extra guys who are All-Star starters. It also allows the manager, whose trying to win the game while giving everyone an opportunity to play, and easier time managing his gigantic roster (which got even bigger when MLB decided to add another position player to each team). I feel that there is more of an opportunity to get guys that kind of exposure that they may only get that one time.
Baseball also decided that one position player on each team can be re-inserted if their last position player gets injured. I like where this is heading, but I think it could go further. I would like to see EVERYONE available to be reinserted once ... even if there are no injuries. Think about it: let the voted in All Stars play the first three innings. Then start doing the substitutions in the middle innings so everyone gets an opportunity to play. Then, allow the managers to bring back guys in the 8th and 9th innings. Then we can see Pujols or Howard or Jeter or A-Rod swinging with the game on the line. Too many times in All Star games, the final innings are a little-known Kansas City Royal getting a hit off a little-known Pittsburgh Pirate. Allow the stars to come back into the game.
If ALL is too big for you, how about the top three, four or five guys? That still allows the Pujolses and Howards to be able to swing with the game on the line.
I'd also like to see all pitchers limited to just one inning of work. Get these guys in there so we can see them perform.
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