Major League Baseball’s best are set to take the stage on Tuesday night during the 2026 MLB All-Star Game when the National League and American League face off for the 96th time in history.
MLB still has arguably the most respected All-Star Game in professional sports, while the NFL, NBA and NHL have all seen the popularity of their events decline, both among players and fans.
Part of the reason for its popularity was due to MLB’s All-Star Game determining if the NL or AL would have home field advantage in the World Series. But since that changed with the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the event has become less important, and the choices some players make reflect that.
More and more, players are skipping out on the event to manage injuries and recover, spend time with their families and take a break from baseball for a few days.
But for others, a selection to the All-Star Game still holds weight, and that’s what NL and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wants the players to remember.
“I think for me, I’ve always believed that it’s an honor,” Roberts said. “It’s a huge honor to be named an All-Star, to be able to participate in this game.
“I didn’t have that. I wasn’t a good enough player to be an All-Star. This is my fourth time managing the All-Star Game.
“So yeah, the way the world, the game is now, where there’s rest, recovery, injuries, which are certainly validated, I still try to encourage players to participate because it is for the fans. It’s a fan’s game, and to get to be able to showcase your talents in front of everyone, it’s a special moment.
“So I think for Dylan (Cease), for Cristopher (Sánchez), I’m really excited for them. Yeah, the landscape’s changed a little bit, but it’s still about playing baseball.”
AL and Toronto Blue Jays manager added that he “couldn’t agree more” with Roberts’ view on the All-Star Game.
“I think that this event is so much about the players that are here now, but the players that have been here before and that will be here later too, where you’re recognized as the best of the best,” Schneider said. “So first time for me, but I couldn’t agree with Doc more.”
Dodgers joining Dave Roberts at All-Star Game
Along with Roberts and members of the Dodgers’ coaching staff, six players were chosen to represent L.A. after they lead MLB in wins during the first half of the season.
Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Andy Pages were all voted as All-Stars, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Justin Wrobleski were selected by MLB.
Ohtani did not travel to the event after undergoing a procedure to drain fluid from his left knee, but the other five players did. Of them, Yamamoto is unavailable to pitch, but the rest are expected to play.
Freeman, Muncy and Pages are all in the starting lineup, while Wrobleski is available out of the bullpen.
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