Give it some meaning

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - Team owners voted unanimously TODAY in BASEBALL (2003) to have the annual all-star game be more than an exhibition. Starting with the 2003 contest, the league that wins the all-star game will have home field advantage for the World Series.

Fifteen of the last seventeen World Series champions (before the 2003 rule change) had home field advantage. The two leagues had been alternating home field advantage since it began in 1903.

The move was precipitated by an embarrassing situation at the previous year's all-star classic. Commissioner Bud Selig was forced to call the game, which by the way was being played in his hometown of Milwaukee, in the 11th inning with it tied 7-7 because both teams ran out of pitchers. The thinking now is that won't happen again because the teams will be playing to win not just to get everyone in the game. Teams will be urged to save pitchers and other position players for the eventuality of the game going into extra innings.

*As a postscript, the American League has had home field advantage every year since '03 by virtue of winning the All-Star game, but the the National League has won three of those seven World Series.

Contributing sources:
MLB All-Star game