The Home Run Derby Tiebreaker Was Awesome

Well, Oneil Cruz didn’t win the Home Run Derby but at least he tried! It was the best a Pirate had done. But why am I talking about this? Last night’s All Star Game was awesome. My star pitcher Paul Skenes went 1-2-3 in the first inning against two Detroit Tigers and Aaron friggin Judge. 

But the most important event of the night was the Home Run Derby to settle the 6-6 tie. Whoever thought of this idea should immediately be given a raise, because it was sooooo much fun to watch. After the National League blew their 6-0 lead, Kyle Schwarber hit three straight Schwarbombs into the bleachers to give his team the edge against the AL sluggers Brent Rooker, Randy Arozarena and Jonathan Aranda. My one gripe is that Mets first baseman Pete Alonso didn’t even get a chance to win the derby for the NL because Aranda didn’t hit a single homer to tie the NL following Schwarber’s brilliance.

The fun that was had reminded me that MLB’s All-Star Game is leaps and bounds ahead of any other pro sports league. The Pro Bowl doesn’t even exist anymore, the NHL All Star Game was replaced by the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament (which was awesome), and the NBA All Star Game produces the same “the players aren’t trying!” narrative year after year. As pro sports leagues try so desperately to get people’s attention (specifically my generation’s attention), MLB just sticks to its old format. And guess what? It fucking works. I guess all hail Rob Manfred until I inevitably hate his guts in the next labor dispute.