I found myself watching the MLB All-Star Game last night, mostly because there wasn't really anything else on. I've never been a huge fan of the whole concept of all-star games, mostly because the players aren't really that into the games and it's a bit of a farce.
But I like what baseball has done to spice things up. Despite all the controversy, which is to be expected since there are some downsides, I agree in giving home field advantage to the winning league. Sure, it might not be fair that some guy from (just an example) the Pirates, who aren't likely to make the playoffs, could determine whether or not the Red Sox or Angels have home field advantage. Or, in the more likely case, a team like the St. Louis Cardinals, who made it into the playoffs a couple years ago after going barely over 0.500 for the season, could have had home field advantage over a team like the Detroit Tigers, who had a far better season, it wouldn't seem like justice. But then again, how would you go about determining home field advantage? Inter-league play is hardly the better solution, especially with the bullshit "rivalry series" every year. The All-Star Game is as good a forum as any to make that determination.
Back to last night's game: it was pretty boring for the most part. All-Star games are usually pretty close, and are often heavily pitching-oriented, with low batting averages for both teams. Last night looked to be no different, with pitchers breezing through the line-ups the first few innings. But, the National League, which was pretty loaded, was looking to break the spell and not let the American League go a 12th All-Star Game undefeated (they tied in 2002). And, they struck first. The AL looked pretty dead, to be honest.
Then J.D. Drew entered the on-deck circle, and I thought (honestly): "Drew is going to put one out." I figured this: he's been swinging a hot bat as of late (though he trailed off a bit towards the end of June), he's a left-handed batter with decent power and there is a short porch in right field tailored for his swing, and it was his first All-Star at bat. Sure enough, he hit one out (though barely). That tied it up 2-2.
I wasn't sure what to make of the whole Papelbon issue with how he apparently said he was going to close the game instead of Rivera. That was just odd, but it didn't end up being an issue because neither pitcher factored into the decision. Papelbon ended up taking back what he initially said anyway, and it's not like the Daily News is a respected news outlet. I watched them both pitch, then turned the game off when the AL didn't win it in the bottom of the 9th.
That turned out to be a good decision, because the game went a whopping 15 innings. That surprised me, since the 2002 tie game only went 11 before both managers went to Bud Selig and said "We're out of guys to play." Terry Francona had run out of position players, and I'm pretty sure Clint Hurdle didn't have many left on the bench. But, they kept going. Brandon Webb and Scott Kazmir both pitched on only a couple days' rest, which I thought was stupid. Why let them get hurt? Still, it ended up being pretty exciting.
I watched the highlights at the gym this morning. First, I thought Navarro was safe at home in the 11th. On the radio into the office I heard a guy, allegedly from ESPN, saying what a great tag it was by the catcher. But the replay showed Navarro's foot coming across before the tag. Still, it was close, and the angle the umpire had wasn't the greatest to see the tag, so I'll give the guy a break. But, to win on a close play like that is pretty great, and is good for the game. Overall, it was a great game for the fans.
What's odd is how Drew ended up being the MVP. Not a Yankee. A member of the rival team was MVP. I'm not gloating; it's just odd. But it's not like Rodriguez or Jeter or Rivera had great games; they didn't really get the opportunity to. All you need is one good at bat, and Drew had one. Good for Drew, I say.
Finally, there's the opening ceremony, which was pretty good. It was pretty nice to see all those Hall of Fame players out there with today's All-Stars. Still, it doesn't hold a candle to back in 1999 when Ted Williams came out at Fenway and all the players broke rank to talk to him. That was really special. But, that's probably the biased Red Sox fan in me talking. But honestly, if you were to put a team together, who would be your first pick: Whitey Ford, Ted Williams, Yogi Berra, or Reggie Jackson? Three of them were at last night's game. The other was smiling down, knowing he's still the greatest.
But I like what baseball has done to spice things up. Despite all the controversy, which is to be expected since there are some downsides, I agree in giving home field advantage to the winning league. Sure, it might not be fair that some guy from (just an example) the Pirates, who aren't likely to make the playoffs, could determine whether or not the Red Sox or Angels have home field advantage. Or, in the more likely case, a team like the St. Louis Cardinals, who made it into the playoffs a couple years ago after going barely over 0.500 for the season, could have had home field advantage over a team like the Detroit Tigers, who had a far better season, it wouldn't seem like justice. But then again, how would you go about determining home field advantage? Inter-league play is hardly the better solution, especially with the bullshit "rivalry series" every year. The All-Star Game is as good a forum as any to make that determination.
Back to last night's game: it was pretty boring for the most part. All-Star games are usually pretty close, and are often heavily pitching-oriented, with low batting averages for both teams. Last night looked to be no different, with pitchers breezing through the line-ups the first few innings. But, the National League, which was pretty loaded, was looking to break the spell and not let the American League go a 12th All-Star Game undefeated (they tied in 2002). And, they struck first. The AL looked pretty dead, to be honest.
Then J.D. Drew entered the on-deck circle, and I thought (honestly): "Drew is going to put one out." I figured this: he's been swinging a hot bat as of late (though he trailed off a bit towards the end of June), he's a left-handed batter with decent power and there is a short porch in right field tailored for his swing, and it was his first All-Star at bat. Sure enough, he hit one out (though barely). That tied it up 2-2.
I wasn't sure what to make of the whole Papelbon issue with how he apparently said he was going to close the game instead of Rivera. That was just odd, but it didn't end up being an issue because neither pitcher factored into the decision. Papelbon ended up taking back what he initially said anyway, and it's not like the Daily News is a respected news outlet. I watched them both pitch, then turned the game off when the AL didn't win it in the bottom of the 9th.
That turned out to be a good decision, because the game went a whopping 15 innings. That surprised me, since the 2002 tie game only went 11 before both managers went to Bud Selig and said "We're out of guys to play." Terry Francona had run out of position players, and I'm pretty sure Clint Hurdle didn't have many left on the bench. But, they kept going. Brandon Webb and Scott Kazmir both pitched on only a couple days' rest, which I thought was stupid. Why let them get hurt? Still, it ended up being pretty exciting.
I watched the highlights at the gym this morning. First, I thought Navarro was safe at home in the 11th. On the radio into the office I heard a guy, allegedly from ESPN, saying what a great tag it was by the catcher. But the replay showed Navarro's foot coming across before the tag. Still, it was close, and the angle the umpire had wasn't the greatest to see the tag, so I'll give the guy a break. But, to win on a close play like that is pretty great, and is good for the game. Overall, it was a great game for the fans.
What's odd is how Drew ended up being the MVP. Not a Yankee. A member of the rival team was MVP. I'm not gloating; it's just odd. But it's not like Rodriguez or Jeter or Rivera had great games; they didn't really get the opportunity to. All you need is one good at bat, and Drew had one. Good for Drew, I say.
Finally, there's the opening ceremony, which was pretty good. It was pretty nice to see all those Hall of Fame players out there with today's All-Stars. Still, it doesn't hold a candle to back in 1999 when Ted Williams came out at Fenway and all the players broke rank to talk to him. That was really special. But, that's probably the biased Red Sox fan in me talking. But honestly, if you were to put a team together, who would be your first pick: Whitey Ford, Ted Williams, Yogi Berra, or Reggie Jackson? Three of them were at last night's game. The other was smiling down, knowing he's still the greatest.
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