MLB All-Star Game Preview

A lot of people are bitching about all the players that have dropped out of this All-Star Game, but to me it really doesn't matter that much. Actually, this game in general doesn't matter to much, even though it does decide home field for the World Series, so it's hard for me to take offense.

The National League is stacked for pitchers. Halladay is going to start the game for them and in my opinion he is by far the best pitcher in baseball. On top of that they have Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee. That's just stupid.

The AL counters with a lot of power in their lineup (Adrian Gonzalez, Jose Bautista, Josh Hamilton, David Ortiz, ect), but you have to say usually good pitching beats good hitting. Still, it's not like the AL is hurting for pitching either. Weaver is starting the game and has the best ERA in the MLB. On top of that Beckett, Felix Hernandez, and CC should all find their way into the game.

I usually pick the AL in a landslide, because basically the NL is the minor leagues, but I have to admit I am impressed with the NL team this year. Still, I just can't pick them.

AL wins 3-1
MVP: Adrian Gonzalez
Game starts at 8pm

MLB HR Derby

Well tonight's is the HR Derby. Here is who will be in it...

NL:
Prince Fielder, MIL
Matt Holliday, STL
Matt Kemp, LAD
Rickie Weeks, MIL

AL:
Jose Bautista, TOR
Robinson Cano, NYY
Adrian Gonzalez, BOS
David Ortiz, BOS

I think the 3 favorites have to be Bautista, Fielder, and Ortiz. I'm taking Ortiz tonight. He has the perfect swing for this kind of event and has done it before. I also think the AL is going to be way better then the NL (when aren't they), because the only one on that side that I think will make some noise is Fielder. Anyways, event starts at 8pm and should be fun with 2 Red Sox hitting.

Ortiz In HR Derby

Ortiz in in the Homerun Derby again this year after winning it last year. He also serve as the captain of the American League team , which entitles him to pick the other three players in the Derby. Usually I don't like when players from the Sox are in it, but I don't think it affects Ortiz much, so whatever.

As for who he should pick, there are a bunch of Yankees that are near the top of HRs, but I hope he snubs all of them and goes with Miguel Cabrera, Jose Bautista, and Carlos Quentin. All those guys can crush HRs and are having good years from themselves.

Jon Lester Hates Hanley Ramirez

Interesting story coming out of the All-Star game. Reporters were shooting questions at Jon Lester. He was having his standard responses, until they got to the topic of Hanley Ramirez. Jon Lester and Hanley Ramirez were teammates throughout the minor leagues, last playing together in 2005 for Double-A Portland. Naturally, reporters wanted to ask about their relationship.

Did you ever go out for pizza with Hanley during your time together and talk about one day playing the same All-Star game?

"I'd have a better chance of being struck by lightning than me and him getting a pizza together," Lester said. "You can take that for what it's worth. But there was no chance on God's green earth that I was getting a pizza with him (Daily Pitch - USAToday.com)."

Wow. First off this is kind of uncalled for, but Hanley does have a reputation of not being the greatest clubhouse guy, even back in his days with the Sox. I am just surprised with how volatile this response was.

So, is Lester a mean guy?

or...

Is Hanley a terrible teammate?

or...

Does Lester just really hate pizza?

NL Wins All Star Game

Figuring on such a glorious day, a day where the most evil man in baseball died, a Yankee (Phil Hughes) would find a way to take home field advantage from the Red Sox.

Which leads me to my next point. Fuck relievers being involved in the All-Star game. Why do I need to watch Hong-Chih Kuo, Matt Capps, Brian Wilson, Jonathan Broxton, Matt Thronton, Andrew Bailey, Rafael Soriano, and Jose Velverde? I could care less about relievers, and they should only be reserved for the 8th and 9th in the All-Star game. I would go as far saying it's a travesty to have more than 2 relievers on each squad. Super gay.

We got the new NCAA so I was not watching the All Star game, I was watching Alabama beat Nevada. I'm Nevada. Mark Ingrim is pretty good in the game.

MLB All-Star Lineups

AL: Lineup:
Ichiro Suzuki -rf
Derek Jeter-ss
Miguel cabrera-1B
Josh Hamilton-CF
Vlad Guerrero-DH
Evan Longoria-3B
Joe Mauer-c
Robinson Cano-2B
Carl Crawford-LF

NL Lineup:
Hanley Ramirez-SS
Martin Prado-2B
Albert Pujols-1B
Ryan Howard-DH
David Wright-3B
Ryan Braun-LF
Andre Ethier-CF
Corey Hart-RF
Yadier Molina-C

You'll notice that Beltre is out of the lineup. He has been pulled from the game due to his hamstring injury. Michael Young will taking his place. The starter will be David Price (AL) vs. Ubaldo Jiminez.

All-Star Teams

STARTERS

POS	PLAYER	TEAM	ALL-STAR APPEARANCES
C	Joe Mauer	Minnesota	4
1B	Justin Morneau	Minnesota	4
2B	Robinson Cano	NY Yankees	1
3B	Evan Longoria	Tampa Bay	3
SS	Derek Jeter	NY Yankees	11
OF	Ichiro Suzuki	Seattle	10
OF	Josh Hamilton	Texas	3
OF	Carl Crawford	Tampa Bay	4
DH	Vladimir Guerrero	Texas	9

PITCHERS

POS	PLAYER	TEAM	ALL-STAR APPEARANCES
RHP	Clay Buchholz	Boston	1
RHP	Trevor Cahill	Oakland	1
RHP	Fausto Carmona	Cleveland	1
RHP	Neftali Feliz	Texas	1
RHP	Phil Hughes	NY Yankees	1
LHP	Cliff Lee	Seattle	2
LHP	Jon Lester	Boston	1
LHP	David Price	Tampa Bay	1
RHP	Mariano Rivera	NY Yankees	11
LHP	CC Sabathia	NY Yankees	4
RHP	Joakim Soria	Kansas City	2
LHP	Matt Thornton	Chi. White Sox	1
RHP	Jose Valverde	Detroit	2

RESERVES

POS	PLAYER	TEAM	ALL-STAR APPEARANCES
C	* Victor Martinez	Boston	4
C	# John Buck	Toronto	1
1B	Miguel Cabrera	Detroit	5
2B	* Dustin Pedroia	Boston	3
2B	# Ian Kinsler	Texas	2
SS	Elvis Andrus	Texas	1
3B	Alex Rodriguez	NY Yankees	13
3B	Adrian Beltre	Boston	1
INF	Ty Wigginton	Baltimore	1
OF	Torii Hunter	LA Angels	4
OF	Vernon Wells	Toronto	3
OF	Jose Bautista	Toronto	1
DH	David Ortiz	Boston	5
* -- unable to play; # -- replacement player

STARTERS

POS	PLAYER	TEAM	ALL-STAR APPEARANCES
C	Yadier Molina	St. Louis	2
1B	Albert Pujols	St. Louis	9
2B	* Chase Utley	Philadelphia	5
3B	David Wright	NY Mets	5
SS	Hanley Ramirez	Florida	3
OF	Ryan Braun	Milwaukee	3
OF	Jason Heyward	Atlanta	1
OF	Andre Ethier	LA Dodgers	1

PITCHERS

POS	PLAYER	TEAM	ALL-STAR APPEARANCES
RHP	Jonathan Broxton	LA Dodgers	2
RHP	Chris Carpenter	St. Louis	3
RHP	Matt Capps	Washington	1
RHP	Yovani Gallardo	Milwaukee	1
RHP	Roy Halladay	Philadelphia	7
RHP	Tim Hudson	Atlanta	3
RHP	Ubaldo Jimenez	Colorado	1
RHP	Josh Johnson	Florida	2
RHP	Tim Lincecum	San Francisco	3
RHP	Evan Meek	Pittsburgh	1
LHP	Arthur Rhodes	Cincinnati	1
RHP	Adam Wainwright	St. Louis	1
RHP	Brian Wilson	San Francisco	2

RESERVES

POS	PLAYER	TEAM	ALL-STAR APPEARANCES
C	Brian McCann	Atlanta	5
1B	Ryan Howard	Philadelphia	3
1B	Adrian Gonzalez	San Diego	3
2B	& Martin Prado	Atlanta	1
INF	Omar Infante	Atlanta	1
SS	* Troy Tulowitzki	Colorado	1
SS	# Jose Reyes	NY Mets	2
2B	Brandon Phillips	Cincinnati	1
3B	Scott Rolen	Cincinnati	6
OF	Michael Bourn	Houston	1
OF	Marlon Byrd	Chi. Cubs	1
OF	Corey Hart	Milwaukee	2
OF	Matt Holliday	St. Louis	4
OF	Chris Young	Arizona	1
* -- unable to play; # -- replacement player; & -- will start at 2B in place of Chase Utley

Web Gems For All-Star Game

This game was boring, but it did have some good defensive plays...

AL 4 NL 3

AL has won 13 straight All-Star games now. It is a joke how much better the AL is then the NL. This game was really boring. I just had very little interest in it. Crawford was the MVP as entered wit the game with a pinch single in the fifth and jumped at the 8-foot left-field wall to snare Brad Hawpe's leadoff drive in the seventh off winner Jonathan Papelbon, which would have put the NL ahead 4-3. Crawford became the first non-pitcher to win the MVP with no RBI since Willie Mays in 1968.

Beckett and Wakefield both did not play in this game. Bay went 1-2 and Youk was a perfect 1-1. To be honest I don't want to talk about this game anymore. I really don't had no interest in this game,but I am glad that the AL with get home field advantage for the 7th straight year....

Longoria Drops Out Of All-Star Game

"Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is out of the American League starting lineup for the All-Star game because of an infected right ring finger. He is being replaced in the starting lineup for Tuesday night's game by Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young, who will bat seventh. Chone Figgins of the Anaheim Angels is taking Longoria's place on the AL roster (ESPN)."

I know they needed to add a 3rd baseman, but how pissed is Kinsler right now. He hands down deserves to be in this game and is passed over time and time again. Anyways, this injury isn't anything serious, so not a big deal.

Fielder Win Homerun Derby

Prince Fielder won the HR Derby last night, which ruined ESPN's boner for Pujols. Fielder was hitting some bombs, but overall it was fucking boring. There is no reason a HR Derby should go on for over 3 hours. In case you missed it here are the highlights...

2009 Homerun Derby Tonight

Well the HR derby is once again upon us, and yet I don't think I could care less. It is damn obvious the AL doesn't give a shit. I mean look who is in it for them...

Nelson Cruz
Carlos Pena
Joe Mauer
Brandon Inge

I mean what a fucking joke. I will probably still watch, but I have to say the HR derby bothers me. First off the baseballs are so juiced it's crazy. It looks like a superball coming off the bat, but enough of my hating lets get to my picks.

The NL squad is...

Prince Fielder
Adrian Gonzalez
Ryan Howard
Albert Pujols

At least the NL put their best players out there. Pujols is obviously the favorite, then Howard, but I am going to have to pick Pena. The guy hits bombs, and I just think he will be all jacked up about being in the event. Call me crazy, but that's my pick (it doesn't hurt he is on my fantasy team).

BMack's Pick: Carlos Pena

Halladay and Lincecum To Start All-Star Game

I agree with Lince Starting for the NL, but I don't agree with Halladay. Halladay is a stud, don't get me wrong, however, he has been on the DL and Greinke has had an unbelievable year, with a lower ERA than Doc. But as we all no, this could just be Halladay getting paid respect before he most likely gets traded to the NL.

Carlos Pena replaces Dustin Pedroia for ASG

According to ESPN.com news services, AL starting 2B Dustin Pedroia will spend the All Star Game break with his pregnant wife who is currently hospitalized with "early labor complications".

TB Rays 1B Carlos Pena and his AL leading 24 homeruns will replace Pedroia on the roster and TOR Bluejays 2B Aaron Hill will start.

Pedroia is still playing regularly for the Red Sox today, Sunday 7/12.

-Beerman

Fuck It

Me and th e captain were talking and i conviced myself into talking a (wait). Basically i convinced myself into trading for ichiro. I mean why not ichor is a free agent ight now and (wait he isn't). But he is a guy we could probably get if (probably is funny word. type it and yu'll no what i mean). but ichorp is a guy that we could probably trade for.. I say fick it, ichiro is definitly worth Ellsbury and Bowdon. i think that Theo should pull that deal immediatly. if he woduesn;t (whatis that, i meant to spell doesn;t) do that he knows nothing about sports. anyways basically what i'm trying to say is that ichiro is the balls and is sick at baseball.


go sox.

AL 4, NL 3

It took nearly 5 hours and 15 innings to decide, but the 2008 All-Star Game was won by the AL 4-3. Michael Young ended the game with a 1 out bases loaded sac-fly.

JD Drew was the stand out among the Boston representation. He was 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer, a walk, and a stolen base.



Manny was 0 for 2, Youkilis was 0 for 2, Pedroia was 0 for 1 with a walk. Varitek played, but didn't have an at-bat.

Papelbon pitched in the 8th inning. He allowed an unearned run thanks to Dioner Nivarro's errant throw. Not surprisingly, the scum gathered at Yankee Stadium blamed Papelbon.



Sidenote: How awesome were the smirks sported by the Sox players during introductions?

When Young belted that sac-fly in the 15th, the game was quickly approaching the T word. Some things Major League Baseball might consider in order to avoid future scares:

1. If a team doesn't want a pitcher to pitch in the All-Star Game, he shouldn't take up a roster spot. Both Scott Kazmir and Brandon Webb were "emergency" pitchers tonight. Had the game gone to 16 or 17 innings, there's no way Kazmir could have continued. So why not let these unavailable pitchers go to the game, dress, get introduced, but not be on the official roster, just as if they were injured?

2. MLB needs to come up with some sort of Doomsday Emergency Plan for All-Star Games. My proposal would be to select two starting pitchers from the Futures Game. If either team exhausts its pitching staff, BOTH teams will have to bring in the minor league pitchers. Also, after the 12th inning, position players should be allowed to return in case of injury (catchers already can return in such an instance).

Finally, the Yankee love fest will simmer down a bit. And how cool is it that a Boston Red Sock won the All-Star Game MVP in Yankee Stadium?

-The Commodore

All-Star Starting Lineups

American League:
1. RF Ichiro Suzuki - SEA
2. SS Derek Jeter - NYY
3. CF Josh Hamilton - TEX
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez - NYY
5. LF Manny Ramirez - BOS
6. DH Milton Bradley - TEX
7. 1B Kevin Youkilis - BOS
8. C Joe Mauer - MIN
9. 2B Dustin Pedroia - BOS

And on the mound, Cliff Lee of the Indians. Thank you Terry Francona for being sane and not starting Mariano Rivera, like some fools in New York wanted you to.

National League:
1. SS Hanley Ramirez - FLA
2. 2B Chase Utley - PHI
3. 1B Lance Berkman - HOU
4. DH Albert Pujols - STL
5. 3B Chipper Jones - ATL
6. RF Matt Holliday - COL
7. LF Ryan Braun - MIL
8. RF Kosuke Fukodome - CHC
9. C Geovany Soto - CHC

SP: Ben Sheets, Milwaukee.

-The Commodore

Homerun Derby

AL
Justin Morneau
Grady Sizemore
Evan Longoria
Josh Hamilton
NL
Chase Utley
Lance Berkman
Dan Uggla
Ryan Braun

Even though I am rooting for Hamilton, I am not taking the obvious choice and...
I got Uggla, who you got?

Longoria and Hart Final All Star Selections

Rookie Evan Longoria is living up to his expectations batting .280, 16 homeruns and 53 rbis and wasn't even in the big leagues to start the year. Evan not only deserves the rookie of the year award, but a lot of credit for the turn around of the Rays.
Corey Hart has been extremely good for the Brewers hitting .292, with 15 homeruns, and 57 rbis. Before CC went to the Brewers, Hart is the only reason they were able to stay within striking distance.

A-Rod Opts Out of Homerun Derby

Alex Rodriguez keeps coming up with new and original reasons for people to hate him. This time, he's snubbing Yankee fans and the rest of baseball by not participating in the Home Run Derby. This will be the first and last time that the competition will be held at historic Yankee Stadium. But Alex Rodriguez feels as though it might affect his swing. Funny, he participated in three Derbies before becoming a Yankee. Maybe he has performance anxiety. Maybe he's afraid of hitting only 1 or 2 homers in the first round in front of the home fans.

Even sour puss Nomar Garciaparra was able to put on a smile in 1999, and participate in the Derby at Fenway. Why can't A-Rod toughen up and do this at the Stadium? It would be a nice treat for the Yankee fans who help pay his grotesque salary, and for baseball fans around the world.

A-Rod is worried his swing might get messed up. Apparently his swing is as sensitive and soft as he is.

-The Commodore