Ed’s Note: Scott Sargent is on vacation, so Jessica Forrester is filling in this morning.
When Scott asked me to pinch-hit for him on today’s While We’re Waiting, he said “the only rule is that there are no rules.”
That’s really great, because I’d like to spend the next few minutes talking to you about this season of “The Bachelorette.”
Alright, no. I’m kidding. (But seriously, the love triangle between Kaitlyn, Nick and Shawn B. is giving me a lot of feelings. If anyone wants to talk about it, hit me up on Twitter.)
Speaking of things that give me feelings…
The frustrating mess that is the MLB All-Star Game
I’m just going to go ahead and say it: I hate that a fan vote determines the starting lineup of the MLB All-Star Game. I hate it almost as much as I hate that the league that wins the ASG gets home-field advantage in the World Series. Let me clarify: I don’t necessarily hate those two things individually, but I hate them together. (Are you counting how many times I’ve already said “hate” in this post? It’s adding up quickly. I promise this entire thing won’t be full of rage.)
Letting the fans choose the starting lineup says, to me, that the outcome of the ASG doesn’t necessarily matter, because it’s an exhibition game that’s all for fun. As it should be. But, having the game decide something as important as home-field advantage in the World Series … says the exact opposite. Right? Now, it’s a game that counts. When you add in the fact that a player vote and manager selection rounds out each All-Star team, and the MLB-instituted rule that every team must have at least one player on its league’s roster, you’ve got a complicated mess on your hands.
The MLB needs to decide something very important: Does the All-Star Game count? Plain and simple. If it’s an exhibition game that’s just for fun, let the fans vote. Hell, let the fans take over and play an inning. If, however, the outcome of this game is going to continue to determine who hosts Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 of the World Series, the building of the rosters—and the playing of the game itself—need to be taken more seriously.
Grabbing a coffee… and maybe a new friend.
Recently, the Starbucks in Hudson, Ohio was the first in the country to roll out a new… friend-finding service? I don’t really know what to call it, so let me just explain:
After you’ve picked up your drink from the counter (grande skinny vanilla latte, please), you can request a small sign from the barista that you then hang via Velcro off the front of your table. Like a beacon of social curiosity and open-mindedness, that sign lets other patrons know that you’re open to having a stranger join you at your table. No seriously… It’s that simple. If someone spots the sign and is feeling adventurous, they’re welcome to pull up a chair and join you.
I think this is equal parts awesome and creepy. On one hand, we’re all so digitally connected these days, it feels like interpersonal, “real” connections between people are waning. I love the simplicity of this idea, and the spirit behind wanting to encourage people to reach out and be friendly to someone new—and actually in person. No screens to stare at. No swiping left or right.
On the other hand, you never know what you’re going to get with something like this. Are you going to meet the love of your life? Find a new best friend? Maybe, but probably not. Are you going to feel kind of awkward and uncomfortable and just end up pounding your coffee so you can bolt out of there as soon as possible? Probably a bit more likely.
A (very) little bit about me.
Because I’m the newest addition to the Waiting for Next Year team, Scott also suggested I use this as an opportunity to introduce myself, which I’m only telling you because I hate talking about myself. (There’s another “hate,” for those of you that are counting.)
Anyways, I joined the team here at WFNY about a month ago, and I can honestly say that I’m loving every minute of it. I write for a living, but it’s in advertising, marketing and PR. Being able to shift gears and write about Cleveland sports has been awesome. And, I’m thrilled—and slightly humbled—to be WFNY’s first female staff writer.
I live in Downtown Cleveland and, although it’s been three years, I still can’t believe all three stadiums are within walking distance of my front door. I still call it The Jake, and I was raised on the ’90s Indians and the sound of Tom Hamilton’s voice. I’m obsessed with my alma mater, Ohio University, and I’m fueled almost exclusively by coffee and red wine (but not mixed together, you guys).
Ok, enough from me. It’s Monday morning and you’ve probably got work to do. Get out there and punch today in the face, Cleveland. Have a great week!