All-Star Game Makes a Great Day Off : Players Left Out Draft Own Plans, Not Including Viewing Same

Playing in the All-Star Game is great. Getting three days off in the middle of the season might be even better.

“I’m looking forward to having time with my wife and kids,” said Frank Viola, starting pitcher for the American League last year. “We’ll be at a cabin in northern Minnesota, doing some fishing and taking it easy.”

Viola was not making definite plans to see tonight’s game. Surprising to some, once most players get away from the field, they are not rabid fans.

For many players, the biggest decision at the break is not whether to watch the All-Star Game on television but where to be when it is going on.

Some players prefer to stay at their in-season homes. Many of the Pirates will be in the Pittsburgh area during tonight’s All-Star Game. Other players take the break at their off-season homes.

Kevin McReynolds, who was raised in Arkansas and spends his summers in New York, took off for Little Rock when the Mets’ game ended Sunday.

“I want to go midnight fishing back home,” he said. “We’ll also get out the flashlights and go catch some frogs.”

Fishing is one of the ballplayers’ most popular hobbies. Ten or so members of the St. Louis Cardinals have made a habit of taking their poles to Lake of the Ozarks, a resort in Missouri, on their All-Star vacation.

Although few players publicly say it, many of them would prefer to have three days off in mid-July rather than take part in All-Star festivities. Especially when the game requires a long trip both ways, as this year’s event did for many.

Rob Dibble, the Cincinnati reliever who triggered a bench-clearing brawl with the Mets last Saturday, was ready for the brief hiatus.

“I’m going to rest my arm,” he said. “That’s what I need to do.”

Swimming and sunning are favorite pastimes for those who play the national pastime. Chili Davis of California said the main thing is to keep cool.

“We have to make sure we don’t abuse these days off. No drinking, not doing anything stupid,” he said. “We just have to relax, stay healthy and come back strong.”

Bert Blyleven of the Angels figured he should have made the All-Star team. But despite an 8-2 record and leading AL starters with a 2.15 earned-run average, he was bypassed.

“Since I wasn’t invited, I don’t even want to see the game,” Blyleven said. “Anybody want to buy four tickets?”