By DARREN WILCOX
darren@du2.byu.edu
Watching the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Tuesday night I came to a conclusion. It's time to do away with these pointless excuses for entertainment.
I have watched All-Star games from almost every professional sport and they all have a common thread. They're incredibly boring.
The big disappointment is these games are supposed to be the highlight of the year, at least before the post-season. Instead they are reduced to mere displays of egoism and individual play -- far removed from the team concept which is needed to win a championship in any sport.
The NBA is probably the worst example. Put 10 players on the court who are used to getting 15-25 shots per game and do you really expect them to run an offense or play defense? The game deteriorates into dunks and one-on-one plays -- remember Kobe Bryant waving off a Karl Malone screen so he could take his defender alone?
That brand of basketball is exciting for about five minutes. Then it just gets old, as the players attempt to out-class each other with dazzling plays which often deteriorate into missed alley-oops and passes.
The NFL is almost as bad, but at least they are smart enough to recognize how much of a joke their All-Star game is. The Pro Bowl is played after the Super Bowl, and for most players, the game is only worthwhile if it is their first time or they want a free vacation in Hawaii.
Last season proved that as the two best quarterbacks in the league, Brett Favre and John Elway, backed out with minor injuries. Legitimate or not, both players knew what I have observed; the Pro Bowl itself is a boring game, with both sides just trying to look good.
Then there is the NHL, which selects goalies and defensemen simply because the game requires they be invited. Certainly none of them get tired from overwork during the high-scoring hockey extravaganza known as the NHL All-Star game.
These high-scoring games are enjoyed by the same ignorant masses that enjoy watching hockey on FOX because the puck is highlighted and glows when shot. These viewers are not fans because any true sports fan should be offended by this pathetic attempt to cater to people who don't watch sports.
That brings us back to baseball. Last night's game was a carbon-copy of what is wrong with All-Star games. Too many players, not enough time. I would rather see less players on the team, so those like Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. aren't limited to three at-bats. I want to see pitchers like Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens for more than one or two innings.
Why not make it like a normal game? Then maybe there would be some excitement, as players and pitchers actually felt some fatigue. However, as long as the ratings continue to increase, changes will not be made. It's up to us to take a stand.
Or join the ignorant mob.