Bud Selig stands behind All-Star Game’s World Series implications

Former MLB commissioner Bud Selig still stands behind the All-Star Game’s World Series implications.

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

Former MLB commissioner Bud Selig still stands behind the All-Star Game’s World Series implications, he told WFAN’s Mike Francesa and guest host Bill Simmons on Monday.

“The [All-Star] game had become dull,” said Selig, who implemented the rule that home-field advantage in the World Series goes to the All-Star Game winner. ” … Worse than that, players didn’t want to play. People didn’t want to go.”

The change was made in 2003, when former major leaguers Hank Aaron and Ron Santo encouraged the then-commissioner to “attach some meaning to” the All-Star Game. The 2002 All-Star Game controversially ended in an 11-inning tie after both teams ran out of available pitchers

“Is it perfect?” Selig continued about the format. “No. … But we needed to do something. And so the fact of the matter is it was really the only practical thing we could do. The game was improved. Everybody wants to play now. Guys stay. They don’t leave.”

• KERI: Four teams whose numbers don’t match their results

Selig was MLB’s commissioner from 1998–2015.