This time, it still counts. Why? Well, because Bud Selig was so embarrassed by a tie in 2002 that he decided the All-Star Game would decide which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series.

Obviously, that’s just about the dumbest idea anyone’s ever had. Why hasn’t anyone considered, I don’t know, the team with the best regular season record? No no, it’s the team whose league won the All-Star Game. You know Nate McLouth’s really going to go all out on Tuesday so he can make sure his National League brethren get that Game 7 at home. Makes perfect sense.

And of course, all that nonsense gives FOX what it needs to add ridiculous gravitas to the All-Star Broadcast. Presidential elections, steroids scandals, floods, famines, fires — step aside! Yield to an exhibition baseball game!