​It ended 4-0, Americans.The Nationals couldn’t hit a lick.Still, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Tuesday night in Philadelphia featured more thrills than, oh, say, watching a bunch of NFL guys trying to yank flags off the waists of each other.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd what was that thing the NBA held earlier this year with three teams divided between Stars, Stripes, John Philip Sousa and whatever else?The NHL’s All-Star Game?Don’t ask.So, even before the latest version of baseball’s Mid-Summer Classic at stuffed Citizens Bank Park, with millions watching on TVs and other electronic devices, there were a couple of givens.* This is the only All-Star Game that matters among the four major professional sports leagues in North America.* The other ones fluctuate between boring and embarrassing.Here’s all you need to know: $1 million. That’s how much Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals pocketed Monday night after a few mighty swings. He did so before a sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park when he edged hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies for the Home Run Derby title.ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 2: Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 2, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWalker will earn less than that ($799,400) from the Cardinals for a whole season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere’s that, and then there’s this: The NBA’s version of the Home Run Derby during its All-Star Weekend each February is the Slam Dunk Contest. This year’s winner in Inglewood, California was Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat, and it wasn’t $1 million.It was $890,000 . . . less than that.Johnson still grabbed 42% more prize money at this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend than Damian Lillard, the then-Milwaukee Bucks standout who was awarded $60,000 after he nailed bomb after bomb to become king of the 3-point contest.But how’s this for perspective?The NFL complemented its Pro Bowl Game after last season with a slew of skill competitions. They ranged from Precision Passing and Gridiron Gauntlet to Move The Change and Kick Tac Toe. The winner for each of those events got the same monetary award.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNothing.At least the NFL had 2026 All-Star events.The NHL didn’t. During the spring of 2025, NHL officials killed everything they originally had planned for their All-Stars at UBS Arena, which is the home in Elmont, New York of the New York Islanders. Those NHL officials said they wanted everybody to focus on the 2026 Winter Olympics. Nevertheless, they said they would replace All-Star stuff at UBS Arena with a “send-off” celebration for Team USA.Neither that nor the All-Star Game happened.Just as well.INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 15: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Team World looks on