Because of the current interleague play format, the surreal feeling that used to accompany an MLB All-Star Game is much diminished these days. There is still an awe factor present when a superstar notches an incredible feat against or at the expense of another one, but the storylines are what carries the event.
In what is a now stake-less exhibition contest, fans are lured to the screen to witness a phenom flaunt his budding greatness on a national stage or an aging veteran finally reach a career milestone. Of course, the captivating narratives can only be propped up if the numbers effectively support them.