Mariano Rivera Shouldn't Be the Starting Pitcher in the All-Star Game

I spend a lot of time talking about, writing about and watching baseball. Despite all that, there are stories that pass by without catching my attention. Rarely do those stories go beyond interesting tidbits to full-blown issues but it appears that one did this week. Perhaps it was during the 90 minutes I spent watching two robots fall in love that someone decided Mariano Rivera should start the All-Star Game.

I'm surprised this got beyond some caller on an overnight radio show but the New York Times is writing articles and Terry Francona's answering questions. After indicating that a starting pitcher would start the game, Francona made sure to avoid saying anything that the unhinged could see as insulting to Rivera.

"Believe me when I tell you, we are aware of where we're playing, who some of the guys are that are representing what teams and we will treat that very respectfully."

Would there be a similar groundswell if the game was in Baltimore surrounding George Sherrill? Of course not and there shouldn't be any here.

I realize the game is in Yankee Stadium and that it's the last time it will be in this iteration of Yankee Stadium. Somehow, though, All-Star teams have survived until now using players in the roles that made them All-Stars. Rivera should obviously pitch in the game on Tuesday and close it, if possible, but it is thoroughly inane to suggest he should start the game.