National League Wins Sub-Star Game 5-1

Image via WikipediaThe MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field in Phoenix, won by the National League over the American League 5-1, was notable for who didn't play in the game than who did.  Big name players such as Derek Jeter (who just had his 3000th career hit) and C.C. Sabathia of the New York Yankees opted out either because of injuries, or they wanted time off.  Which meant that fans watching the game in person or on TV had to consult their scorecards to find out who was who.

The game was played in the state of Arizona, where there's a controversial new law against immigrants who don't carry citizenship papers.  Despite pleas by some to organize a boycott of the game, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and the players--a good percentage of whom are of Hispanic heritage--chose to ignore the issue, in the apparent belief that it is too political.

Well, what about MLB's support for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, under the guise of "supporting our troops"?  Or some players appearing in videos encouraging gay and lesbian youths not to commit suicide?  Aren't those political, too?

Those aren't the only minefields MLB has had to go through this season.  A summary:

• Roger Clemens goes on trial for allegedly lying to Congress about his steroid use.  It's one thing to declare your innocence in front of grandstanding politicians and TV cameras.  It's quite another to do the same thing in a court of law.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, caused by owner Frank McCourt's divorce proceedings and alleged mismanagement.  MLB takes over the franchise after yanking the team's new TV deal with Fox.  Lawsuits abound.
• A Texas Rangers fan (who just happened to be a firefighter) falls to his death during a game in Arlington, Texas, when he went after a foul ball lobbed into the stands by Josh Hamilton.  Two things:  (A) No one would have blamed Hamilton if he had retired on the spot, and (B) you're going to see a lot less lobbing of balls in the future.
• The Yankees fan who caught the ball that was Jeter's 3000th hit, then returned it for tickets, got hit by the IRS for a big tax bill.  Now we know why people are so reluctant to give up a piece of history.
• They're talking about realignment again.  This time MLB wants to even out the number of teams in each league.  The American League has 14, while the National League has 16.  The Houston Astros are the team most often mentioned to switch leagues.  Or maybe they should leave things the way they are.

Otherwise, it's time to get the rest of the season going.