It’s hard to believe the 95th MLB ASG game will be held this Tuesday at Truist Park in Atlanta. For those who haven’t been paying attention, there’s more than the usual controversy surrounding snubs and selections.

While attendance has been up in recent years, ASG viewership is declining, and the latest nonsense isn’t going to help. MLB and its leadership have no clue how to solve the problems in what many consider the best of some pretty mediocre all-star games (and weekends). Last year, the NHL came up with the Four Nations tourney and Bob Costas suggested MLB do something similar.

The marketing wonks believe social media is the answer to everything including MLB viewership. Did I say “mistakenly believe”? For several obvious reasons, older fans (maybe 30 years+) have abandoned the current version of the game-me included. Personally, it’s one of the rare instances when viewing it in person might not be optimal. I’ve attended two games and while I wouldn’t trade either experience, for different reasons, the games didn’t live up to my expectations.

The uproar over Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski’s selection after only 5 MLB appearances is laughable-even at the expense of more veteran pitchers. And while I am a huge fan of his and am not sure I believe he should be on the team, I completely understand why he is and why Paul Skenes made the team after only 11 games last season. They throw the ball consistently harder than anyone else in the game and strike out sluggers with the greatest of ease. I really don’t want to watch the game but may watch if the two pitch the first two innings. Even if they give up a run or two, it should be great theater. MLB has been promoting velocity and strikeouts for the past few seasons-even to the exclusion of better played baseball.

For those of us that have followed the game for decades the ASG represents signature moments-many that we can recite with the ease of pizza delivery joints. Likely, we watched some of those games with the person who shared their love of the game with us. If you are lucky enough to attend an ASG with that person, it’s even more special as you’ll have the opportunity to compare eras. I’ve found in recent years; the signature moments are curated by MLB who feels the need to remind us something was either iconic or unique when they really are neither.

As I’ve written before, I believe ASG selections should represent a moment in time. Someone suggested the other day, that choices nowadays are made with the notion of being predictive of future stardom (that might be the Misiorowski effect). Players used to be voted in either because of past (career) success or of the moment success.

The first game I attended was in 1990 at Wrigley Field with my dad. The game itself was a 9-inning 2-0 slog. The highlight was enjoying the experience with Bob Sr. We both enjoyed the Monday workout/derby/old-timers’ game more than the Tuesday evening affair.

While there were no iconic moments what I remember most was the preponderance of Cincinnati Reds on the NL squad. SF manager Roger Craig earned the right to manage the team by dint of repping the NL in the previous World Series, yet Reds pitcher, Jack Armstrong, not the All-American boy, started for the NL. 2/3 of the Nasty Boys made the team as did Barry Larkin and Chris Sabo was voted the starting third baseman ahead of Matt Williams and Tim Wallach. The Reds would go on to beat the A’s in the World Series that season.

A few things that I remember from over 30 years ago that won’t make the highlights on Tuesday. My two cousins, Ramon and Dennis, pitched consecutive scoreless innings for the NL, Gregg Olson (Orioles pitcher) and Greg Olson (Braves catcher) were both reserves and brothers Sandy and Roberto Alomar repped the AL and NL respectively. While Armstrong was a one-hit wonder, the AL trotted out Bob Welch, Dave Stieb, and Bret Saberhagen for two shutout innings each. This was in the era where managers weren’t accused of overuse of division rivals starting pitchers and load management.

Two of the worst things to happen to the All-Star game were Joe Torre and Bob Brenly who mismanaged the rosters and screwed up the pitching staffs in the 2002 ASG at Miller Park. I had a most enjoyable four days in Milwaukee despite the fact that the game itself was a soggy extra-inning game without a winner. Thanks Bud!

In a column which I shared with some friends, the columnist, Bernie Lincicome recounted his experience at the game in Seattle years ago that he attended with his (then) 10-year-old son. Everything didn’t go quite as he had hoped, but his closing thought covered the experience beautifully, “As for all-star-games, as pointless as they might be, any game that can make a father-son memory is OK with me.”

I hope those attending Tuesday’s game will have those moments with those they love. I don’t hold out much for the people watching at home though.

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