All-Star Stuff and Junk

[DOUGHBOYS]

Some All-Star uniform history....with a small rant....

In 1964, Johnny Callison of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a walk off home run for the National League in the All Star game.
He was wearing a New York Mets helmet as he crossed home plate.

In 1965, Willie Mays wore both a Cincinnati and Cubs hat during the game.
That same year, Juan Marichal wore a Braves helmet when batting for himself in the game.
Carlton Fisk, Willie Davis, and many others would wear garb borrowed from other teams through the years.

In 1975, proud of all their combinations of uniforms, eight Oakland Athletics wore variations of uniforms for the gala.

In 1977, Rupert Jones, a Seattle Mariner, wore a Blue Jays helmet. This made Jones the first Mariner All-Star AND the first to wear Blue Jays equipment in an All-Star game.

In 1979, Pete Rose wore his batting practice Phils jersey for the game.
Many question and like the look. Soon, the solid color uniform top would be a part of most club's attire.

In 1985, Lou Whitaker's uni doesn't make it on time for the game. Whitaker goes to the MetroDome gift shop and buys a Tiger replica jersey and scrawls a number '1' on the back with a magic marker.

In 1992, John Kruk's uni doesn't come in time for pre-game, so he wears Leo Mazzone's uniform.

In 1998, All-Star Jeff Shaw of the Reds is traded to the Dodgers a couple of days before the All-Star game. He becomes the first player to play in an All-Star game while wearing his teams uni for the first time.

In 2009, Joe Torre coached first base wearing his Dodgers uniform and a Cardinals helmet.

In 2014, Jeff Samarjuhduh is voted an All-Star with the Cubs. A couple of days before the game, he is traded to the American League Oakland A's.
By rule, Samarjuhduh can play for either team.
He is introduced as a player for the NL in a generic National League shirt and cap. Not Cubs attire.

This year, Drew Pomeranz will be wearing a road uni even though the game is at his home park.
Two years in a row at a National League park makes this an American League home game.

The All-Star game has changed over the years.
With interleague play common, there is no wonderment in one league playing the other. Television and computers make any and every team accessible. We know a Chicago Cubs players traits as well as we know our home town players.
Although MLB tells us the game 'means something', we know it really means little.
What was once a special form of entertainment, is now just entertainment period.
Players will be wearing uniform's specifically designed for them.
The charm of watching each player in their own team uni, gone.
It has become a more streamlined game.
Streamlined, like calling it 'a game that means something', doesn't make the game better.
Willie Mays wearing a Cincy hat is met with a smile and lets Reds fans wonder what could have been with an outfield of Mays, Robinson, and Pinson.
Tomorrow, Mike Trout will look like Mark Trumbo who looks like the next guy.
More streamlined, less charming, and no wonder.