Nice All-Star game... but changes must be made

Last night’s All Star Game was, in a word-TERRIFIC. The pomp and circumstance with the Hall of Famers. George Steinbrenner making an appearance, great. Plus, the guys played hard, played like they wanted their league to win.

The 15 inning affair was the longest in history-nearly 5 hours long. NL Manager Clint Hurdle was ready to use David Wright as a pitcher if the game went to the 16th inning. That hideous word ‘tie’ was making used car salesman Bud Selig choke on his hot dog in the later innings.

Honestly, there was NO reason for there to be any thought of a tie. To state the case, just compare to the 1967 All Star Game that also went 15 innings.

In 1967, 12 TOTAL pitchers were used, last night - 23. In ’67, pitchers went longer-Catfish Hunter twirled the final 5 innings of the game.

Therein lies the biggest problem-you DON’T need 12 pitchers on each staff. Seven or eight is fine. If you want to honor guys like Kazmir and Webb that pitched Sunday, great, but only 8 active guys on a staff. If guys who are normally starters aren’t ready to go

Let the big stars play longer. Here’s a tidbit: Willie Mays played 11 full All Star games. Jeter and A-Rod should be willing to go 7-8 innings. Wouldn’t you rather have the biggest stars playing with the game on the line? You DON’T need every team represented either. Just take the best 25-28 guys, period.

Suggestion to ad happy FOX who missed several pitches, didn’t let moments breathe (like Mariano Rivera’s entrance) and couldn’t avoid a billboard a minute-the 1967 All Star Game took 3 hours, 41 ninutes. Last night: 4 hours, 51 minutes-first pitch at 8:47 Eastern Time. Let the game and event be the story. Of course, you won’t take my advice, but it’s my blog.

Final note: For those of you doubting my prediction that the Mets won’t reach October, you got yet another Billy Wagner special-blowing a save in the eighth inning.