I watched the All-Star Game, and aside from a great catch early in the game and some of the players mic’d up, I found it somewhat dull. Initially, I was upset that there wasn’t any All-Star swag for the players. I am an advocate for players wearing their uniforms, but I wanted special caps. I didn’t think they were new, but a closer inspection revealed they were special for the game with different bills and stars.

I have never been really into the ASG, to be honest. At least since the American League started winning almost every year. Whenever that was, I tuned out of watching, and it was fine. I flipped it on last night and was entertained for a bit. Super happy for Brendon Donovan for getting a couple of base hits in the game.

They started the game with the Automated Ball-Strike system, which I had hoped would just be implemented for the entire game. Unfortunately, it was just there as a challenge tool, which is fucking stupid. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he plans to introduce a proposal for implementing ABS as early as next season, but I only agree if it actually calls balls and strikes and not as some challenge system. Just have it do its job. We’d have way less griping about calls from managers and home plate umps. It would also call a lot more strikes and speed up the game.

Understandably curious to see what the Cardinals do at the trade deadline.

Apparently, there was a swing-off at the end? I went to bed.