Major League Baseball served up a juicy debate before its All-Star festivities even began in Atlanta this week when the league added Jacob Misiorowski to the National League roster for the midseason classic, replacing Matthew Boyd of the Chicago Cubs. While many league figures and star players went on the record ripping the league’s decision, ESPN host Tony Kornheiser isn’t bothered one bit.
Monday on Pardon the Interruption, Kornheiser defended the addition of “The Miz,” a rookie pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, to the midseason classic after just five starts and 25 innings pitched.
“The baseball All-Star Game is a television show,” Kornheiser explained. “This kid throws it 103. People want to see that.”
The PTI star compared Misiorowski’s late addition to that of Paul Skenes in 2024, who was vaulted to an All-Star start after just 11 starts. While Skenes started the season in the majors, unlike Misiorowski, who was a call-up, Kornheiser believes it’s all part of making the game as great an entertainment product as it can be. Fairness isn’t the point, fun is.
Misiorowski averages 99 on his fastball so far this season. Fans likely do want to see that, even if someone like Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez might be more deserving.
While Kornheiser’s co-host, Michael Wilbon, compared it to Caitlin Clark being snubbed from the U.S. Olympic team last year earlier in the segment, there is a key difference. Some may believe the All-Star game is serious business, but it is undoubtedly less important than Team USA.
Putting on a good show is the bottom line.
“This kid is going to go out there, he’s going to pitch in the All-Star game,” Kornheiser said. “He’s going to throw one inning, and he’s going to go over 100 throughout the inning. So I’m OK with it.”
Skenes is once again starting for the NL, but Misiorowski is one of 12 pitchers who will line up behind the Pirates’ ace for their chance to get on the mound and dazzle the Atlanta fans.