For an assortment of reasons, we all need to vent at times. Each July, this writer takes time out for an annual rant against having the All-Star Game determine home-field advantage for the World Series.

The All-Star Game has been little more than an exhibition for fans, who get the rare opportunity to set a big league lineup for a day. It’s always been pageantry, a feel-good event, and it was an overreaction by MLB to turn it into a meaningful game after the two leagues ran out of pitchers in the 2002 Midsummer Classic.

If it’s going to be a game with consequences, it’s time to eliminate the antiquated rule that requires a player from each team be on the All-Star rosters. The leagues have grown substantially since the rule was adopted, and it certainly doesn’t serve their interests now that winning the All-Star Game determines which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series.

Another aspect of the All-Star pageantry is managers feeling obligated to play nearly everyone on the roster. If the game is close in the late innings, we are unlikely to see the best players taking critical at-bats.

And to ensure the best possible teams are on the field, should fans relinquish the right to vote for the starters? After all, the players probably know best who are most deserving among their peers.

That might seem like an overreaction by this writer, but the significance of home-field advantage in recent World Series play can’t be denied.

Since 1982, the team with home-field advantage has won 20 of 26 World Series. The only clubs to overcome home-field advantage in this stretch are the 1984 Tigers, 1992 Blue Jays, 1999 Yankees, 2003 Marlins, 2006 Cardinals and last year’s Phillies.

Clinching a World Series title on the road in a sixth or seventh game has been nearly impossible, with the home team posting an 18-3 record in Games 6 and 7 since 1982. No home team has lost a Game 7 since Pittsburgh came back from a 3-1 deficit and won the final two games of the 1979 Fall Classic at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. Since then, the home team is 8-0 in Game 7. Visiting clubs don't fare much better in Game 6, going 3-10.

An exhibition game in July shouldn't play a role in deciding who wins the last game of the season in October. Giving home-field advantage to the team with the best regular-season record is a better idea, but the power of television may prevent that from ever being an option.