Not that it’s that important really. As we were painfully reminded of last October, home field advantage guarantees nothing. Reyes, Wright and Beltran put up a solid performance. Wagner…well every Mets fan had a sinking feeling when Wagner warming up to come in for the 8. I think we all know too well that while Wagner is capable of brilliance, we also know of  Billy’s troubles in non-save situations.

• Reyes 3 for 4, 2B, SB
• Beltran 1 for 3, 3B
• Wright 1 for 3, nice diving grab
• Wagner 1.0 IP, 2H, 2R, 1 SO, 1 HR allowed

I am really tired of losing the All-Star game. Not that it means much, though home field is involved for the world Series despite the usual influence of players who will be watching October games from their living rooms. I could have lived with the tradition of home field  alternated every year or, and more logically, the team with the best record having the advantage. I know it’s a tired subject, but the “this time it counts” pitch needs to go the way of Astroturf and the bullpen car. As Gary Cohen said, “home field advantage decided by the winner of the All-Star game makes about as much sense as the winner of the Homerun Derby deciding who wins the pennant.”

And if I can make one more All-Star Game strategy suggestion here, pick one or two elite closers and load up on each respective league’s set up and middle relief guys. Sure there are a ton out there, but there are also some 10 game winners that watched the game on Fox. Sure it will be a source of controversy, debate and sports radio fodder, but how is that much of a change?

As usual Fox gave us the Barry Bonds show, granted the game was played in Bonds’ home stadium, but honestly, who wants MORE Barry Bonds?

And Barry, publicly stating your support for Arod someday breaking your soon to be sham of a record with obvious backhanded shots at Hank Aaron to be in attendance if Rodriguez breaks your record won’t win you any public support. Most people love Aaron, most people hate you. You should have started emulating Aaron’s classy persona back in Pittsburgh. Face it pal, if Hammerin Hank says you’re an @sshole, then you’re an @sshole.

After the Mets were all removed from the game, it became a much less enjoyable experience with no Amazins in the game. It does make you think back to some lean years where the Mets only representative was Mike Piazza.

I was glad to see Ichiro win the MVP. He is a class act guy and one hell of an outfielder. I found myself wondering if Ichiro felt it in bad taste to accept an award like that, knowing the emphasis the Japanese culture puts on a team winning or losing, not individual players. Though Ichiro’s apparent discomfort might have been  rooted from being forced to endure the gratuitous coverage of his interview with  Jeanie Zelasko through an interpreter. And I really hate the give away of a car every year, like the player really needs a car he could likely afford with his daily walking around money.

Reyes catching Willie Mays ceremonial first pitch as a great moment in the Mid Summer Classic. I love both those guys. Both play/played exciting, fun baseball. What ever MLB exec who grouped those two as pre-game battery mates deserves a raise and promotion.

If you, like me, avoided the Homerun Derby and the human as whip that is Chris Berman, check out MLB.com for their coverage of the All-Star Game. I have the MLB TV premium package, so I have gone cold turkey off ESPN. I will go to a sports bar for Sunday Night games, as with no sound it doesn’t give me a migraine. Check this page out, you may have to dig but there are video clips including Jose Reyes Mic’ed up. Like always, Jose is always moving, enthusiastic and smiling, and there is a Beltran interview with Harold Reynolds, though Beltran gives cliché answers. There are a few other players like the always entertaining Torii Hunter . If digital media trends and TBS is successful in there coverage of baseball maybe MLB will find a way to rid the four letter word that is the self proclaimed world wide leader in sports from the game and baseball fans will never again be forced to tolerate Joe Morgan.

With the Mid Summer Classic over, the2007 representatives head back the Shea to join their team and take on the last place 36-52 Cincinnati Reds. If the Mets cant get it rolling against a team tied for the worst record in the national League, it may be time to worry.

I will be back tomorrow with a look at the rest of the season, until then, congrats to the Junior Circuit and congrats to Ichiro. One more off day and it’s full steam ahead to October.

P.S. If you for some reason don’t read the brilliantly authored Faith and Fear in Flushing, make sure to stop by and check out the lovely and talented, oft neglected (from April until October, anyway) Mrs. Lonestar Met in Greg and Jason’s sidebar.