MLB's All-Star Game: A Swingin' Success?

👋 Good morning!

Move over, M-V-Pete. The All-Star Weekend is Kyle Schwarber’s domain.

Some of us (just me) have trouble letting go of the 2018 Home Run Derby, where Sweet Swingin’ Schwarbs was absolutely robbed of the title.

So it’s only fitting that the former Cub won last night’s All-Star Game MVP award for clinching a National League victory in the midsummer classic’s first-ever “swing-off.”

Nothing like some good old-fashioned Schwarbombs.

– Patrick Norton

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The All-Star Game was great…but it can be better.

It’s often a drag. And in recent memory, it’s only included the occasional Cubs or White Sox reserve.

The last time I felt a legitimate thrill watching an MLB All-Star Game was back in 2008 when the game lasted 15 innings and eight-year-old me had to silently watch the action on an ancient portable television screen about as large as a tissue box because it was past my bedtime.

But something was different about last night. Here’s what I enjoyed, and what I think Major League Baseball can improve on going forward:

👍 Chicago got its due. Kyle Tucker made a sliding grab on the first pitch of the game, Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled in his first at-bat, and Rule-5 success Shane Smith had the honor of being yanked from his outing by Joe Torre.
👍 The league made a point to heavily market PCA, and it paid off when FOX mic’d up the centerfielder for a rare, actually decent in-game interview.

When asked what advice he’d give to kids who want to be like him, Crow-Armstrong told the broadcast:

“I hope you be exactly how you are supposed to be. I think I’ve dealt with trying to emulate other people and focusing a little bit less on being myself and what makes me great and unique. And I think it’s so important for kids that play this game, or don’t, to understand that there’s so much to offer, and everybody’s so nice and unique in their own individual way.”
👍 & 👎: The swing-off mostly ruled. Again, Kyle Schwarber was born for that moment. But where were Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge? Or Monday night’s Home Run Derby champion, Cal Raleigh?

Well, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers pointed out that a chunk of the game’s starters had left Truist Park in Atlanta and were already on planes home. Not a great look for the folks voted into the game by the fans to bolt in the very first window of opportunity.
👎 Way too many interviews. Sure, the PCA one ended up being a treat, but FOX was interviewing a different player or coach just about every half inning, and the split-screen to give the player airtime took away from the on-field product.

And then, during the swing-off, FOX felt it necessary to have Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci interview each participant before taking center stage.

I get growing the game, and truth be told, I couldn’t have picked Athletics SS Jacob Wilson out of a lineup before last night. But the sideshow felt more like an Independent League baseball game. Dial it back a bit during the game, and when it’s time for a swing-off, let those guys just go up there and mash.

Other notes from the night: The Hank Aaron tribute was awesome.

And the automatic ball-strike challenge system immediately overruling the home plate umpire for a strikeout in the first inning was a beautiful moment. That should reach the big leagues next season.

GO DEEPER: Luke Stuckmeyer & Corey Freedman discussed all things All-Star Game and previewed the next two weeks for the Cubs ahead of MLB’s trade deadline.

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SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED — NOT OURS: The Blackhawks officially agreed to terms with 2025 first-round pick Anton Frondell on a three-year entry-level deal.

However, as expected, Frondell’s agent confirmed later on Tuesday that the big Swedish forward will return to play on loan for Djurgårdens of the SHL.

Rank Week continues tonight with special-edition CHGO Cubs & CHGO White Sox “What If” episodes airing at 7 p.m.

In the meantime, what if you checked out Will Gottlieb’s alternate history where Derrick Rose doesn’t get hurt in 2012?

You can’t write the story of Chicago sports radio without a chapter or two on Harry Teinowitz. One third of WMVP’s hit “Mac, Jurko and Harry” with Dan McNeil and John Jurkovich, Teinowitz died Tuesday. He was 64.