All Star Game Losing Luster

Jacob deGrom, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa were selected to represent their team in the 2021 Major League All Star Game. Three of the biggest stars in Major League Baseball. All 3 decided to pass on attending the event. deGrom was the lone New York Mets All Star.

ESPN's TV analyst Buster Olney joined The Drive with Charlie & Dan Friday afternoon. Olney was very disappointed in all three former All Stars but especially Jacob deGrom. Sure Jake has played in 3 All Star games and he has been banged up with some annoying injuries but honestly, Willie Mays played in 24 All Star games. It is an honor to be selected or at least it should be. Buster said that it was a "slap in the face to the fans" and I agree.

The ESPN analyst also mentioned that the All Star Game is "good for the players and they know why." It is easy to speculate what Buster was alluding to. Star players blowing off the Mid Summer Classic is not good for baseball, especially 5 months before the expiration of the Major League Baseball's Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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The baseball fans that still watch the All Star Game want to see the game's best players. That's it in a nutshell. Jacob deGrom, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are some of the games biggest stars. Jacob deGrom is among the top 2 or 3 very best. If it's not important to those players, why should it be important to the fans?

Baseball fans want to root for their favorite stars and they don't want to be insulted. I know New York Mets fans that are insulted that Jake deGrom is not going to be in Colorado on Tuesday, while others are happy with the decision. The one thing I know is deGrom makes a lot of money, thanks to the fans in many ways. He was selected to be an All Star and unless there is some type of injury or family issue, he should be in Colorado on Tuesday.