Brenly Stands by the Call to End All-Star Game

Two days after managing in the biggest All-Star debacle in baseball history, Bob Brenly said he still didn’t have any answers.

“I don’t know what we could have done different,” said Brenly, the Arizona Diamondback manager who managed the National League squad in a 7-7 tie that was ended after 11 innings after both teams ran out of players.

Some have suggested, why didn’t they just hold a home-run derby to decide the winner?

“Yeah, I heard about the home-run derby,” Brenly said. “Fine, why even play the game? Hold the Derby on Monday and everybody goes home.”

Others are now talking about bringing more pitchers.

“OK, so you take three more pitchers on each team, and each guy goes two innings, and you’re in the 16th inning and it’s still tied,” Brenly said. “Then what do you do?”

Brenly, speaking before Thursday’s game against the Dodgers, shook his head.

“I think it’s unfortunate that everyone feels somebody has to be blamed for it,” he said. “We played every player. A lot of guys got two at-bats in an All-Star game, and I feel real proud about that.”

Wasn’t it important to determine a winner?

“Not for me, it wasn’t,” he said. “But obviously, for some people it was. For me, it was one of the best All-Star games I’ve seen. Both teams were winners.

“The fans saw a great game, and I don’t think blame needs to be assigned.

“It is what it is.”

Dodger second baseman Mark Grudzielanek agreed.

“What do the fans expect them to do? Some of these guys are on quality teams, playing for contenders,” he said. “You can’t risk injury. They saw 11 innings, they saw every guy play, what else can they do? It’s an exhibition game. They did the right thing, no question.”

Jim Tracy, Dodger manager, brought up a solution that had yet to be mentioned.

Why not include middle relievers on the All-Star teams?

After all, during pennant races in recent years, they have clearly been All-Stars.

And they could pitch several innings, allowing the games to continue.

“Are there set-up men we can have on the team, guys who can be extended more than a couple of innings, because that’s what they do normally?” Tracy said. “I certainly know of set-up men who would be deserving.”