U.S. Against World? Not Likely

ATLANTA — With the increased influence of international players in baseball, there has been some internal talk about changing the All-Star format to follow the successful example of the NHL in pitting U.S. stars--the NHL actually groups North American players--against the top stars from other countries.

Baseball has adopted the format in the Futures Game, an All-Star game for the top young prospects played here Sunday, and it is inevitable, many in the industry believe, that there will be a world tournament for professional players at some point.

However, a representative of the commissioner’s office, citing a history and tradition that now spans 71 games between the American and National leagues, said it is highly unlikely baseball would dump that concept--probably a good thing, Cincinnati Red shortstop Barry Larkin said.

“I think we’d definitely get into it,” Larkin said, referring to a potentially higher energy level for a game between U.S. and foreign players, “but I also think it’s dangerous. I don’t think it’s a good idea for a sport that considers itself the national pastime to promote a separatism based on ethnicity.”

Others agreed.

Said Jamie Jarrin, the Dodgers’ longtime Spanish-language broadcaster: “I think it would be great because there are so many Hispanic players and [foreign] superstars. However, I don’t know if it’s the right idea, pitting one segment of the major leagues against another. I think baseball would have to be skeptical about pitting one ethnicity against another.”

Seattle Mariner shortstop Alex Rodriguez said a game between U.S. and foreign stars would mean much more than the exhibition that the All-Star game now is and would likely “raise [TV] ratings 100%, but the history of the game is more important than ratings.

“I’m hesitant. I’d hate to see the American League and National League distinction change and I’d hate to see baseball’s one-for-all-and-all-for-one environment jeopardized. I mean, I wouldn’t want to have a wedge driven between myself and Jason Giambi, for instance.”

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Major league owners will meet in New York on Thursday to consider adoption of an unbalanced schedule devoid of realignment in 2001 and approval of a long-anticipated economic report by Commissioner Bud Selig’s blue ribbon committee.

Sources with some knowledge of the committee’s report believe that it will not recommend a salary cap as the answer to baseball’s disparity problems--which would not be a surprise.

Owners know the players’ union will never approve a cap and that to pursue it would only ensure another major work stoppage when bargaining resumes after the 2001 season. The same sources believe the report advocates increased revenue sharing among the owners and a more meaningful luxury tax on high-payroll teams, which the union may interpret as a cap.

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Probably no one was more thrilled to participate in Tuesday’s All-Star festivities than Chicago Cub catcher Joe Girardi, who was called Monday afternoon and asked if he would be available to replace Mike Piazza on the NL roster, the last of the many injury-related replacements.

“My question was, do you want me as a player?” Girardi said in the NL clubhouse. “I thought maybe they wanted players to come in and mingle with people at the Fanfest.”

Assured he was needed as a player, a backup to Jason Kendall and Mike Lieberthal, Girardi said:

“I’m here to do anything they want me to do, including serve water to the other players.”

Why not? The 35-year-old veteran of 11 major league seasons had not played in an All-Star game since 1988, when he was in double-A ball.

“I’m probably only going to play another two or three years,” he said. “If I hadn’t made it to an All-Star game in 11 years, I didn’t think I was going to make it in the next two or three.”

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Well, maybe Danny Graves was just as happy as Girardi. The Cincinnati Red relief pitcher--known as the “Baby-faced Assassin” because of his youthful appearance and killer effectiveness on the mound--was summoned to replace Greg Maddux and had no problem scrubbing a planned fishing trip during the break.

“If I never make another, I’ll always have this All-Star game to remember,” said Graves, who is 26 and in his fifth season. He pitched a scoreless second inning as the second NL pitcher, leaving what he said would be “the little corner of the bullpen” he shared with fellow NL relievers Trevor Hoffman and Bob Wickman.

“Starters have a different mentality,” he said with a smile. “I don’t want to get my mind confused [sitting next to them].”