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Players: No more linking All-Star game to home-field advantage in World Series

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If the players have their way, the All-Star game will have nothing to do with deciding home-field advantage for the World Series.

‘There is a strong sentiment among the players that home-field advantage ... should be determined by regular-season record,’ said Michael Weiner, executive director of the players’ union.

Weiner said Tuesday that he expected to have ‘healthy discussions’ on the topic as part of next year’s collective bargaining. He said the players never embraced the concept of awarding home-field advantage in the World Series to the the winning league in the All-Star game, but they reluctantly agreed in order to satisfy Fox, which broadcasts the event.

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‘The consensus among players was that it was never a great way to pick home-field advantage in the World Series,’ Weiner said.

Commissioner Bud Selig said the format, now in its eighth year, was instituted in consultation with Fox but not at the network’s demand. Selig said he has no plans to change the format.

‘I really like, ‘This time, it counts’ ’ Selig said. ‘We had lost the luster.’

-- Bill Shaikin

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