CHICAGO -- "This time it counts!"

Major League Baseball's newly-created slogan for Tuesday's All-Star Game at U.S. Cellular Field sounds catchy, but it isn't quite a hit for a number of players who will play in the game.

"(The All-Star Game) is an exhibition," White Sox outfielder Carl Everett said during Monday's media gathering at a downtown Chicago hotel. "The team with the best record should have the home-field advantage (in the World Series), not the league that wins this game. It's plain and simple, I don't like the new format. If not for the tie in last year's game, it would never have changed."

Last year's All-Star Game, played in Milwaukee, ended in a 7-7 tie. With that result, Major League Baseball set out to bring more incentive to the winner of this year's game. Previously, home-field advantage in the World Series was determined by the American League and National League alternating each year.

While players are aware more will be at stake this year, the majority of opinions heard on Monday are that this game shouldn't have the emphasis on it that it now does.

"The team with the best record should (be the host) for Game 7 of the World Series," Braves outfielder Gary Sheffield said. "That's the right way to do it. But I must say, if the game's close I can assure you that guys will be into it in the late innings."

First things first
Marlins rookie left-hander Dontrelle Willis, who began this season in Double-A, equates his first-ever All-Star Game "like being a kid in a candy store." Padres left fielder Rondell White, calls it "a dream come true."

Yes, being an All-Star is still special and being a first-time All-Star is even more special.

Tuesday's game will feature 32 first-timers, 16 in the American League and 16 in the National League. More than half (18) of the first-timers are pitchers, including 40-year-old Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer.

"I've been around the right situation the last seven years in Seattle," Moyer said. "I've played with great teammates who have greatly helped my career."

Both starting pitchers -- the NL's Jason Schmidt and the AL's Esteban Loaiza -- will also play in the Midsummer Classic for the first time. Interestingly enough, both Schmidt and Loaiza were teammates with the Pirates from 1996-98.

There were 29 first-timers in last year's All-Star Game, 15 in the NL and 14 in the AL.

Young here, Young there
Tigers outfielder Dmitri Young, who is one of the 32 first-time All-Stars, brought his younger brother, Delmon, with him to the All-Star festivities. Delmon made a name for himself in early June when he was selected by the Devil Rays with the first overall pick in the amateur draft. Delmon, also an outfielder, has yet to sign with Tampa Bay.

Dmitri, who is the lone Tigers representative, is pleased with his All-Star selection.

"It's an honor to make the team," Dmitri said. "There's nothing better than being here, this is a great experience."

Matt Szefc is a baseball editor at ESPN.com.