An All-Star game that meant something

I actually went to an All-Star game once, that 2002 game in Milwaukee that ended after 11 innings in the infamous tie. I remember how frustrating that was. This time, though, there would be no tie allowed, and the game went on for 15 innings. (No, even I did not stay up for it all.) All the pitchers were blown, and two outfielders were going to have to throw in the next inning, were it not for the AL pushing home a run to win the thing 4-3. Was that a mistake to risk so many good pitchers in a meaningless game? But it was not meaningless. The winning league gets home field advantage in the World Series, and the contenders–such as the Cubs–have a lopsidedly good record at home so those players wanted it bad. See Michael Wilbon’s analysis of the various subtexts of the game, including an unusual lavish praise for commissioner Bud Selig: No Mere Exhibition, but a Show.