There was a time the Major League Baseball All-Star Game was about pride, respect, and fun. The thought of having all of the best players in the world on one field playing against each other and putting on a show for the fans was enough for players at one time.
Eventually players and management worried more about being healthy and having the extra time off to rest the stress of a 162 game season. With those concerns and the threats of some of the marquee players not being present at the game, it forced MLB to make the game have more “meaning” again.