# MLB: July 2025 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [July 1, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357 "2025-07-01T16:39:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/161 "2025-07-16T15:35:30Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > > [@OldGuy](#): > > > > How were the swing off hitters chosen? > > According to [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45750275/kyle-schwarber-leads-national-league-win-2025-mlb-all-star-game-first-tiebreak-home-run-swing-off): > > > On Monday, both managers – Boone and the NL’s Dave Roberts – were required to submit their list of participants and alternates to MLB should the game need the swing-off after nine innings. Knowing starters usually shower and leave the ballpark well before the end of the game, the managers opted for reserves. It was confirmed that Judge, Ohtani and Raleigh were not in the building. I didnt mind the ending except for the awful reporting. Why the need to ask stupid cringy questions before each went up to bat? Horrible sideline reporters like Ken Rosenthal have become a pet peeve of mine. I don’t know when or why it happened but they’ve all become clones of each other. The cadence and tone of each of them are exactly the same. There is never a good question or answer. It ruins my enjoyment every time. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/162 "2025-07-16T15:35:32Z")
Let us pray nobody in the commissioner’s office reads this site. As for AAA all-stars, there was an annual game, last held in 2019. Another victim of Covid. Of course, it’s a non-starter because no-one watched it back when they could. Not an advertisers dream. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/163 "2025-07-16T15:38:12Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > As for AAA all-stars, there was an annual game, last held in 2019. Another victim of Covid. Of course, it’s a non-starter because no-one watched it back when they could. Not an advertisers dream. The MLB futures game was on July 12th. More interesting than the HRD. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/164 "2025-07-16T15:41:38Z")
I’d rather see an All-Star talent show. I mean who wouldn’t want to see Junior Caminero and Aaron Judge sing “Summer Lovin’?” Or Tarik Skubal perform some street magic? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/165 "2025-07-16T16:23:18Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It was confirmed that Judge, Ohtani and Raleigh were not in the building. Bastards. The rest of us have to sit through the whole thing. What’s so damn important that they can’t hang out with their new friends for another hour or two? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/166 "2025-07-16T18:10:05Z")
Former Cubs second baseman, and Hall of Famer, Ryne Sandberg, posted on Instagram today that he is continuing to deal with cancer. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer early last year, and after announcing that he was cancer-free last August, in December, he learned that it had spread. > [@](#): > > “I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” wrote Sandberg, 65. "It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis. > > "While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends. > > “I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half.” It doesn’t sound good. ☹ > **[Cubs icon Sandberg 'continuing to fight' cancer](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45754874/hall-famer-ryne-sandberg-continuing-fight-cancer)** > > Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg said he is "continuing to fight" cancer and is prioritizing time with those closest to him. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/167 "2025-07-16T18:16:38Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It was confirmed that Judge, Ohtani and Raleigh were not in the building. That brings to mind a memory I have of an ASG from back in the 80s. Late in the game, the camera flashed to the AL dugout. Standing at the railing and talking with each other were starters George Brett, Jim Rice, and (I think) Rod Carew. Those guys certainly stayed till the last out. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/168 "2025-07-16T18:36:42Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Former Cubs second baseman, and Hall of Famer, Ryne Sandberg, posted on Instagram today that he is continuing to deal with cancer. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer early last year, and after announcing that he was cancer-free last August, in December, he learned that it had spread. > > > [@](#): > > > > “I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” wrote Sandberg, 65. "It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis. > > > > "While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends. > > > > “I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half.” > > It doesn’t sound good. ☹ > > [Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg 'continuing to fight' cancer - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45754874/hall-famer-ryne-sandberg-continuing-fight-cancer) He’s my all-time favorite Cub. That _is_ distressing. But I do have him on my Death Pool, so… ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/169 "2025-07-16T18:57:38Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > It was confirmed that Judge, Ohtani and Raleigh were not in the building. > > That brings to mind a memory I have of an ASG from back in the 80s. Late in the game, the camera flashed to the AL dugout. Standing at the railing and talking with each other were starters George Brett, Jim Rice, and (I think) Rod Carew. Those guys certainly stayed till the last out. They didn’t have private jets waiting for them to take them home ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/170 "2025-07-16T19:11:07Z")
Boring comment: Unless it sells ad time; MLB, NFL, NBA, etc… don’t care for OUR enlightened suggestions. Eyeballs on screen is the only metric. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/171 "2025-07-16T20:11:45Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > They didn’t have private jets waiting for them to take them home Private jets can wait. Even more of a reason to stay to the end. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/172 "2025-07-16T20:27:54Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > What a suckwad way to end the game. In my book, it was a tie. I hope the powers that be don’t look at this and say “Hey, that was fun! Let’s end all our 9 inning ties this way!” That is exactly what they’re thinking. This was a trial balloon. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/173 "2025-07-16T20:29:45Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > That is exactly what they’re thinking. This was a trial balloon That’s disturbing. I saw a couple articles describing it as “exciting.” Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/174 "2025-07-16T20:48:36Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I saw a couple articles describing it as “exciting.” Once a season, maybe. But there’s an extra-inning game damn near every day in MLB. (Last season, there were 216 extra-inning games played in Major League Baseball, or 8.9% of the total 2,430 regular season games.) The excitement of the swing-off would wear off quite quickly. Plus, it would favor those teams with a bunch of home run sluggers. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/175 "2025-07-16T20:50:34Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > The excitement of the swing-off would wear off quite quickly It’s already worn off for me. I’ve learned to accept the runner on 2nd base for extra innings (although I don’t like it). A swing-off might be the final straw. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/176 "2025-07-16T21:07:06Z")
Not so different from the shoot-outs in the NHL. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/177 "2025-07-16T21:11:44Z")
Though, NHL shootouts only occur after a 5-minute overtime period of “regular” play does not yield a goal. (“Regular” is in quotes because current rules have it as a 3-on-3 lineup, rather than the usual full-strength 5-on-5.) It would be more comparable if MLB would institute a swing-off if the game is still tied after 11 or 12 innings, rather than 9 (as was done last night). ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/178 "2025-07-16T21:26:55Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > NHL shootouts only occur after a 5-minute overtime period of “regular” play does not yield a goal. Right. I was thinking it might be akin to a penalty shootout in soccer, but that also occurs only after a rather long overtime period. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > It would be more comparable if MLB would institute a swing-off if the game is still tied after 11 or 12 innings, rather than 9 (as was done last night). This, maybe. But ISTM that the number of games that go even to 12 innings is quite low these days. (I can’t seem to find the correct number; damn AI gives me inconsistent answers…) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/179 "2025-07-16T21:28:29Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > But ISTM that the number of games that go even to 12 innings is quite low these days. That wouldn’t surprise me, especially as MLB continues to use the “ghost runner” rule in extra innings – reviled by fans, but probably leads to fewer games going well past 10 or 11 innings. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357/180 "2025-07-16T21:36:30Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Not so different from the shoot-outs in the NHL. That doesn’t make it right for baseball. MLB players don’t wear skates either. There is nothing wrong with extra inning games. (to the extent they’re worried about their pitchers, maybe there are other solutions about how the bullpen is used, and we can stop messing with tradition) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2025/1020357.md?page=10)