Major League Baseball’s All-Star Home Run Derby is “back, back, back” Monday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Unfortunately the buzz around what once was the centerpiece of the midsummer classic exhibition is as “gone” as a Mark McGwire 1999 Mass Pike-bound, 590-foot bomb at the event at Fenway Park.
No disrespect to Pete Alonso or Mookie Betts, but there just isn’t the same allure to the event that there once seemed to be. It feels dated and lacking of true star power in the way that so many NBA Slam Dunk Contests or elite QB-free NFL Pro Bowl events seem to in recent times. Let’s be honest, what’s good for Mac Jones and Tyler Huntley is simply bad for fans.
The good ol’ days had Michael Jordan and Dominque Wilkins lifting the NBA to new levels with every leap. McGwire vs. Ken Griffey Jr. and Sammy Sosa was the stuff of baseball-bashing legend.
These days too often it feels like we get Mac McClung. Or Randy Arozarena and his career-high of 20 home runs.
Ho, hum.
Oh, and get off my lawn!
Seriously, though. No Chris Berman and his iconic calls. Not exactly an HOF Who’s Who of homerun hitters. And no real juice.
Like so many all-star games in professional sports and the exhibition events that surround them, MLB has a bit of an early-July buzz problem.
What should be the mid-season crown jewel event to draw eyeballs, grow the fan base and bring ultimate entertainment is a summertime second thought. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
As such, Monday morning’s “Breaking Boston” podcast brought to you by Audacy and WEEI turned into a bit of brainstorming session as to how MLB (and really all sports) could inject life into All-Star Weekend, the Home Run Derby and more!
--All-Star events should include all the stars! Sure it’s great that fans and players/coaches get a say in electing All Stars. But there should be some wiggle room for special exemptions to the events. This year, for example, Reds phenom Elly De La Cruz should be a part of All-Star Weekend. He’s been the talk of the sport for the last couple months. His highlights are the stuff of social media viral reach that creates future fans. He should be in Seattle. Whether guys are having down years, coming off injuries or coming on strong in any sport, try to get as many of the stars at these events as possible.
--Along those lines, all players should be almost forced to take part in their sports’ skills challenges. Bury it in the CBA if you have to. Betts noted that he’s taking part in the Home Run Derby because it’s one of the things he’s yet to check off in his superstar career, likening it to LeBron James not taking part in the Dunk contest. He’s right. Just like when free agent stars push the envelope forward with their contracts with an eye on helping future players’ finances they should feel obliged to help grow the game – and the financial pot – by dunking, hitting home runs or throwing a football at a moving target. The more stars you have at these events the bigger – and more lucrative – they become. Every star should have to do it at least once.
--In order to get more stars to compete in All-Star games and skills challenges, maybe they need to expand the time off around the events by a couple days so the elite guys get a break just like the guys not at the events. Also, if you screw up your swing and stink over the second half of the season that’s a You problem. You swing a bat for a living. You take BP all the time. Figure out a way not to go down the Bobby Arbreu post-Home Run Derby drain. Don’t give me that Derby “curse” crap.
--MLB should also consider expanding its skills beyond home runs. Bunting competitions could be fun. A game of Pepper anyone? Tom Emanski-like garbage can throws to home plate would cool. A race around the bases maybe. Defensive relays. Anything that kids do in Little League baseball camps or in the legendary trips to Cooperstown’s Dreams Park should be on the table. It’s still a kids’ game. These men should treat it as such. Most importantly it would be fun to watch, which is what it’s all about.
Today’s a good day to remind everyone that MLB needs to expand beyond the Home Run Derby for skills competition
— Coop (@coop_leon) July 10, 2023
What’s a little league drill you’d love to see turned into a competition for the All Star Break? pic.twitter.com/QdnB3WUFl9
--Finally, the marketing and broadcast of the All Star events is a part of the package that needs updating and improving. Make sure the Home Run Derby telecast is actually showing the home runs and how far they go. Continue to push the boundaries with guys wearing microphones pretty much everywhere they are on an All Star field. Bring in consultants from other realms – Mr. Beast seems to know how to create buzz-worthy content for the modern mind! – to help meet the masses where they currently consume and reside. Putting a more modern, creative spin on the All Star festivities will in no way make a mockery of what was formerly America’s Pastime, it might actually help the great sport of baseball get closer to its glory days of interest and popularity.
To hear the entire episode of today’s “Breaking Boston” podcast discussing the Homer Run Derby click here or go to wherever you normally listen to your favorite podcasts!
