MLB All-Star Game 2014: Cuban All-Stars get together for photo

There are some writers and analysts who have suggested that the international nature of Major League Baseball in the year 2014 lends itself to a new format for the All-Star Game. Would there be more intrigue if the game was International stars vs. the United States? It’s possible, but for now the American League opposite the National League remains.

More from MLB All-Star Game

• What made baseball fun this week: Elly De La Cruz stole home, All-Star shenanigans
• Ohtani and J-Rod both learned how to hit opposite way in charming ways
• A’s fans bring ‘sell the team’ chants, protest to MLB All-Star Game
• Elias Diaz makes All-Star Game, Colorado Rockies history with one swing of the bat
• Shohei Ohtani gave Mariners fans all kinds of hope praising Seattle

There are cool moments with so many international stars gathered. The All-Star Game becomes an appropriate representation of the fact that the game that was once called the National Pastime is now a sport with talented players from all over the world, especially in Latin American countries.

In the 2014 midsummer classic there are five All-Stars from Cuba: Alexei Ramirez and Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox, Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds, and Yoenis Cespedes of the Oakland Athletics.

Before the game got underway on Tuesday night, those five All-Stars got together for a photograph on the field.

These players stand to have a major impact on the outcome of this game and ultimately home field advantage in the World Series. Puig is starting in right field for the National League and batting second. Abreu leads the American League with 29 home runs and can change the complexion of any game with one swing. Chapman throws the hardest fastball in all of baseball and could make things awfully tough on the AL if he got a chance to close out a victory. And on the list goes.

These Cuban stars have been major players this season, and so it is appropriate to recognize them at the All-Star game.