All-Star Games: Midseason or After the Season?
Dec 18, 2007 Sports
With the NHL All-Star balloting in full swing (and the NFL winding down), I begin to think about All-Star games. Baseball fans always complain about the All-Star game being at the midway point, as it usually leaves out players who have a strong second half. The NBA and NHL work in a similar manner. The Pro Bowl, of course, is after the Super Bowl. I can’t remember the last time I watched it, I mean, meaningful football is over then, right? Which is preferable to you? Here’s how I break it down, let me know if there is anything I’ve missed:
Pros for the Midseason All-Star Games:
- Health - there’s a good chance players are still healthy enough to play
- I’m engaged - I’m more likely to watch the All-Star game if my team is still relevant
- I’m not burned out - I haven’t watched 100 games already
Pros for the End of Season All-Star Game:
-
It’s the stats, yo - you truly know who had the best statistical campaign
-
Whew, made it - even though most All-Star tilts are low impact affairs, you won’t have the risk of a serious injury affecting your team’s season (think Domink Hasek at the last Olympics)
All of them would be improved with some spirited competition, but it would take is more players caring about the job of entertaining their fans. At least most hockey players are likeable. Anyway, just thought I’d start a discussion about All-Star games.
Tags: all-star, allstar, baseball, basketball, football, Hockey, MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, Soccer
Another Victim of the Pre-game Footy Match
Oct 22, 2007 NHL
Erik Cole of the Carolina Hurricanes is day-to-day with a foot injury, and the rumor is he was injured during a pre-game soccer match. The Sabres’ Maxim Afinogenov injured his head during the playoffs last year in much the same way. The pre-game kickaround has become quite popular, especially with the European players. It’ll be interesting to see if coaches (or GMs/Owners) try to curtail this activity going forward.
There’s Football and Then There’s FOOTBALL
While watching the Colts/Cowboys game, I flopped over to the Deuce to watch David Beckham…bounce back and forth up and down the Galaxy sideline warming up for much of the game. He did make it in though, and looked solid on the rain-soaked field.
By the way, I just noticed this tidbit from last night on TO:
“The ball was distributed well,” said Owens, wearing a Barry Bonds jersey. “We’ll practice hard and get better. This was a great start for us.”
I’m not surprised.
Tags: colts, cowboys, dallas, David Beckham, football, indianapolis, MLS, NFL, Soccer
