Jul
15
Game Thread: All-Star Edition
ByHooray for meaningless games. The lineups:
American League
Ichiro, RF
Jeter, SS
Hamilton, CF
A-Rod, 3B
Manny, LF
Bradley, DH
Youkilis, 1B
Mauer, C
Pedroia, 2B
Lee, SP
National League
Hanley, SS
Utley, 2B
Berkman, 1B
Pujols, DH
Chipper, 3B
Holliday, RF
Braun, LF
Fukudome, CF
Soto, C
Sheets, SP
Talk it up here.
Tony Gwynn is still a chubby porker.
he got a lot bigger
Predictions for MVP anyone?
I say … Cristian Guzman. Why not?
Derek Jeter is my pick; no shock there.
I love the way they are doing the intros, real nice.
Ha! Boggs is wearing a Yankee hat. Shovin’ it right in the face of Boston.
He was wearing one yesterday in the celebrity/legends game, and he hit a longball into right! Paulie too….
Yeah but he’s in the HOF as a Sawk. That’s quite a dis in my eyes.
Didn’t he wore TB hat, and everybody was shocked by that.
He was going too, then the rules were changed so the HOF decided what hat a player wears (there was a mess that TB paid Boggs and such), so he is now depicted with a Red Sox hat, but I think that’s the team he definitley didn’t want to go under, so he’ll probably publically do Yanks
Ah there’s the white cleats. Wouldn’t be an ASG without ‘em.
Cal Ripken got the loudest ovation among the non-Yankee HOFers.
Umm, what the fuck was that? Willie Mays completely shunned Josh Hamilton when he ran up next to him.
Maybe he was making some sort of statement about how MLB is treating Barry?
Is it just me or are Fox’s acoustics really soft tonight? Is it that nobody is really cheering, or that I just can’t hear it?
It’s probably Fox. The place was electric last night.
Boo, Lincecum has the flu and won’t pitch tonight.
Yeah that suck.
sounds like worst case scenario re matsui’s knee
Reg-GIE REG-GIE REG-GIE!!!
What, No Mary J. Blige.
The B-2 Bomber!!!
Boy, it must be stressful being SDSU’s coach, judging by how … plump Tony Gwynn looks.
and has a shim type of voice……
Whitey loves him some Steinbrenner.
this is cool
This is really effing cool. Only the Yanks.
Easily the best pre-game ceremony ever for a sporting event (sans any unscripted mishaps).
It would be really cool if Mickey Mantle was alive. Like in 99 when Ted Williams was there and the fans when wild (hell even I had goosebumps). Man If Mickey was alive, could you imagine the fans reaction.
Or even Joe D.
Either would have been redic
wow the boss looks old………..his health is really deterierating
If there’s a save situation Mo will pitch? He should pitch the ninth regardless. Is that too biasy?
well if its a tie they save him for extras….and my guess is no one asked Francona about what happens if there isn’t a save situation
That Bob Melvin Taco Bell commercial was pretty funny.
“With real strawberries” vs fake strawberries?
My MVP winner is A-Rod, fuck it why not.
Nice, Jeter and A-Rod get the Roll Call. Perfect.
Bobby got some love, too. I’m annoyed that Buck kept talking through it, he at least should have acknowledged the Murcer love.
I have not seen a SS with this offensive ability since A-Rod inconcern with Hanley Ramirez, even though A-Rod was a much better fielder.
Cashman left the door a little open on Bonds today….
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....amp;ATT=49
Cliff Lee, nice inning
LMAO…the section 39 guys are wearing tuxedos. Sorry, I just found that hilarious.
Not Utley’s finest moment.
Well Jeter not bad.
Derek Jeter, early favorite for MVP.
Nasty
Hammy just got pwned.
You’d think they’d move the weighted practice bats an all the other things that clutter the HP area…..at least in such a pomp & circumstance event like the ASG
Soto’s lucky Manny got out of the way. That’s a start.
How was the head Pujols by Joe Buck.
I agreed with what he said, Alex Rodriguez is the greatest player (of all-time in my opinion) in the game and Albert Pujols is the greatest overall hitter in the game.
I agree too, but damn was kinda suckin him off a tad bit.
What’s the name of the song they played for this year’s All-Star game ad? It starts off by going “I’ve been waiting for this moment…all my life…”
In the air tonight, Phil Collins
Damn, Chipper Jones taking away Jeter’s chances of winning the MVP.
Yeah, but the Cap’n has the SB to his credit.
True
Well Chipper didn’t forget that DJ won his All-Star MVP in his home park.
The concept for “Swing Vote” is great, I hope they didn’t screw the movie up.
Its funny, they’ve got that Bud commercial with all the home runs….
“As long as we have the great American pastime, we have the great American lager”
Anheuser-Busch was just sold to Belgian InBev……
Anybody think we’ll get Sheets & Sabathia after this season? It would probably be contingent on Andy’s turning down his option and Moose going bye bye….but Wang, Joba, CC, Sheets, Hughes *or whoever*??
Is this just totally pipe-dreaming?
I would sign Ben Sheets, Mark Prior (minor league deal; turn him into a reliever or something) and Andy Pettitte. I don’t think CC will come to the Yankees even though money can change a person’s mind.
Both probably doubtful, unless they bond in Milwaukee and want to go somewhere together to win
Milton Bradley – Yankees RF of ‘09
We can only hope.
in 10 years, he’s played ONE season of more than 101 games.
Is this because of injury?
Is Joe Torre really the sole reason Milton Bradley was not dealt to the Yanks in 2006?
You know if Milton Bradley wasn’t a mental patient he would go to more All-Star games more often.
I think his lack of AS appearances has more to do with his 10 DL trips than the times he lost it.
You just answered my question from above Mike…thanks…but if he’s so oft-injured, why would we want him next year?
Because he’s really good at hitting baseballs.
even if he acts like a 5 year old, his talents at hitting the baseball is quite huge.
No you fucking idiots, J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis were being booed. Stop trying to be wise asses.
Is it wrong that I’m hoping Papelbon enters the game in the 8th and blows a lead? I guess it’s fine as long as they come back to take the lead and Mo nails down the win.
I’m hoping he comes in & takes a comebacker off his shin…..a little Jeff Karstens special
Blown save would be great
Ugh, someone fire McCarver already.
Two Red Sox AB’s, two strikeouts. Awesome.
What was that about Youk’s batting eye? that K was Melky-esque.
You couldn’t let it go uh.
Just stating a fact my friend.
Wait, nobody knows the name of the song for the ASG ads?
I don’t, sorry.
The song is “Lazy Eye” by Silversun Pickups.
Josh Hamilton, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, and Dustin Pedroia all had AB’s with a runner on but Pedroia is the only one to get the ball out of the infield. I love baseball.
The ability to hit the ball out of the infield is directly proportional to the player’s scrappy short white baldiness ratio, SSWBR.
Heh, Ben said they booed Sarah Jessica Parker.
I’m going to admit that I’m a big “Sex and the City” fan but she is quite an ugly woman.
I’d boo someone who is ugly as fuck that the media tries to pass off as gorgeous. Still dunno what Matthew Broderick was thinking.
At a boy Hanley!
Jamal, the song is by the silversun pickups I don’t know the name of it though sorry…… Yogi should have pushed buck out of his chair.
Yeah, I found it via YouTube. It’s “Lazy Eye”.
LoL, no jokes people.
Heh, it’s just too funny.
DAMMIT!!!!!! GIDP!!!!! JETER!!!
That Derek Jeter GIDP was brought to you by Viagra, helping men with E.D. turn two since 1998.
It wouldn’t be a All-Star game in Yankee Stadium without Jeter GIDP.
Yay, get to see my boy Ervin Santana.
If Scott Kazmir learns a Cutter…
Learning how to hold it and learning how to throw it are two entirely different things.
Roy Halladay looks damn good. The Jays should use him as a set-up man.
Mo is a too nice of a guy; giving cutter lessons to Roy Halladay and Scott Kazmir.
Gotta love that throw
Ichiro’s arm > Melky’s arm.
LoL, now you’re just going overboard. Who would even argue that?
You’d be surprised. I had people complaining that I ranked Melk’s arm behind Rios’ and Markakis’ before the season. I should have had Adam Jones’ in there too, in retrospect.
Wow, that’s unbelievable.
Ichiro is a god.
Ichiro. PILL!
remember in the 80’s when the reds were begging management to let them wear white shoes? a-rod proves they were wrong
Wow, I told Ben yesterday that with all the pitchers who started this weekend, the NL will probably have to go Sheets for 2, Zambrano for 2, Haren, then various relievers. Freaky.
ahh Hanley Ramirez’s defense
Milton Bradley is a medical miracle. He returned from an ACL tear in less than 12 months. Wow!
Magic Santana. Yet another young pitcher that needed roughly 3 years to figure it all out.
Imagine if the O’s had pulled that trade (Santana for Tejada), Bedard, Santana, and Cabrera could be a lethal trio right now
Matusz, Tillman and Arrieta is scary enough.
Don’t tell the NY fans that.
What does Texas’ Neftali Feliz offer outside of his high octane Fastball?
Curve and a change. Inconsistent.
I know you don’t like to use scouting terms like “plus” and such, but when he’s on how good is his Curveball and Changeup?
Prospect Handbook says:
That’s all I got for ya.
Bleeping Holliday…
Classy move by Francona, letting A-Rod get the ovation as he came out.
How much you want to bet that there will be some complaints that A-Rod was the first one to come out?
Anyone else miserably bored by this game?
It’s the same story ever year. The only part I enjoy is getting to watch all the pitchers.
I thought I’d be into it just cuz of it being at the Stadium, but I was wrong.
Does that mean All-Star Catcher Jason Varitek™ is coming in the game?
I have to think that Dioner Navarro is going to be second string. If Navaro is that would be funny. Jason Varitek can’t even be the second string player when his manager is the All-Star manager.
Francona’s gonna wait and let Varitek pinch hit in a big spot.
I have just become an even bigger Joe Mauer groupie because he has T.I.’s “What You Know About That” as his walk-up song.
Do the visiting players really choose their own music or is it just randomly played by the DJ guy?
I have no idea. I would think that since the A.L. squad is considered the home team this year that Joe Mauer would have been able to choose his own song.
Yea, I know A-Rod came out to his song, “This is why I’m hot” earlier, which is still funny every time he struts to the plate and that is played
I think it’s randomly played. I can’t wait until they go to Fenway so A-Rod can walk to the plate to Material Girl.
I still find it amazing that Haren was only the second Pepperdine starter drafted in 2001.
Got a scenario for you guys. In a World Series game, would you issue an IBB to Josh Hamilton with the bases loaded and force in a tying run in the fifth inning and two out in order to face Joe Crede? Or would you take your chances with Hamilton and the bases loaded up by one run? How much does it matter who is on the mound?
In the fifth inning? Pitch to the man.
All-Star Catcher Jason Varitek™ is in the game.
Joakim Soria must be thrilled. Mo is his idol.
Has there been a pitcher that way over it’s head than Justin D.
.213 BABIP. That’s the definition of unsustainable.
Buck: Tim Lincecum had to go to the hospital, he wasn’t even here for the introductions tonight.
McCarver: So obviously he’s not in uniform
did we ever find out what was in that suitcase that volquez put on home plate while Hamilton was hitting in the first round.
Yeah, I forgot all about that.
A.L. West for the loss.
I wouldnt really mind if the NL wins this game. The Yankees arent making it to the playoffs and Boston cant away from fenway.
Oh ye of little faith…and short memory.
I didn’t know we were already in the month of September. I missed the part where we were eliminated from playoff contention
I have lost faith in this team. I do remember last year, and anything is possible, but even if we make it to the playoffs, they will just crumble as always. This lineup just cannot get it done against good pitching.
Oh but they can just pull out their favorite excuse… the opposing pitcher was so dominate…
Vs. the yankees.. bad pitchers are good, good pitchers are great, and great pitchers are pitching the best game of their lives.
Especially if they are lefty.
That Francona fella is one classy mofo.
Don’t worry guys, Billy Wagner is the NL’s closer.
Pesky and good? That’s an oxymoron in my book.
IPK + Ajax for Bay? Not enough?
Would you do that? I’d package Kennedy but I’m reluctant to give AJ
I would, but I’m not sure if it’s enough.
Interesting, you’re usually a big IPK proponent too
Bay’s the kind of guy you give him up for though. Young, some semblance of cost control, proven masher.
I agree with that except Bay turns 30 in 2 months, I thought he was younger myself
Really? Wow. I figured he was 28 the latest.
I know, it is surprising no doubt
So you change your mind.
Nah, 30’s not terrible. Hitters age well, or at least better than pitchers.
Was there any reason why Bay had such a crappy year in 07?
His knee was hurt most of the year. He had surgery in the offseason.
What if you include Ohlendorf, Pirates are apparently high on him, and why he has good stuff we have other relief prospects
Oooo is it too late to change my MVP to Adrian? Best player no one talks about.
Could you imagine if the Rays still had Hamilton? Think of that lineup … Crawford, Upton, Hamilton, Longoria … yikes.
I’m much more scared of that potential rotation of David Price, Scott Kazmir, and Jake McGee (who is going to have TJS, that sucks).
Don’t forget my boy Jeremy Hellickson. 98-7 K/BB
That number still gives me chills when I look at it. What type of stuff does he have?
92-93, good curve, filthy changeup.
Imagine the Yanks if they paid the 100K to the cubs for him
I love these Burger King Loaded Steakhouse ads. The one on the beach was the best.
“Burger King Steakhouse, how did you earn it?”
“I just saved a baby seal, gave her mouth-to-mouth.”
“Narley. What’s your story guy?”
“I just wanted one”
“You just wanted one? Well, here I am just looking for treasure and instead I just find the most arrogant man on Earth!”
At least now we know that the baseball gods are turning all hitters in Yankee Stadium this year to crap. It’s not just the Yankees.
Joe Nathan, ex-shortstop. Successful conversion I’d day.
Bigger surprise at the midway point: The Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Oakland A’s, or St. Louis Cardinals?
Rays aren’t a candidate? I know they have a boatload of young talent, but I don’t know anyone that predicted they’d be where they are right now
I’m not surprised by the Rays. I’ve been waiting for this for two years.
There were projections of them winning 88-games this year and nobody informed was really shocked by that. Look at that 25-man roster, would you expect them to not win in the neighborhood of 85-games?
85 is one thing, they’re on pace for like 92 at least…I considered that jump surprising
The Orioles will suck soon. I thought Minnesota would be better than what people thought. Same with Oakland, I will go with the St. Louis.
Cards, especially since Mulder nor Carpenter has come back strong & Pujols missed time
Gotta be the Cards. That offense is hilariously bad without Pujols, and they have Todd Wellemeyer and Braden frickin’ Looper in the rotation.
papsmear looks pissed in the dug out that he will be coming in for the bottom of the 7th.
I’m sorry, that’s just his ugly face.
So how’s the NL going to close this out, Marmol-Lidge-Wagner? Brian Wilson in there somewhere?
Did they say Wagner has the 9th? I’d rather have Lidge in the 9th
No, I’m just assuming. Wagner’s got that “veteran guy who’s earned it” tag.
Josh Groban? Where’s Ronan Tynan?
Oh God, the Village People will be on soon…
I was just gonna ask that, YMCA usually is done after the 6th I thought
Alright guys who would you guys take K-Rod or Nathan?
Nathan. 8 days a week and twice on Sundays. It’s not even close.
Nathan’s #’s since 04, has had the best #’s at the closer position in baseball.
The only K-Rod has on him is age.
K-Rod. I would love to hear fatso & crazy complaining about his OVER THE TOP GYRATIONS. haha
The more and more I read that MLBTR article on the Francisco Liriano, Joe Nathan, and A.J. Peirzynski trade between the Twins and Giants I have to agree, it really wasn’t a bad trade at that time.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....ory-t.html
Nope. Liriano was coming off two years cut short by shoulder injuries. Boof was a middling prospect, Nathan was a very good reliever, but they had to give something up to get a good catcher like AJ.
People look at after the trade because there were issues with AJ in SF
Damn. Francona didn’t give America a chance to see that shiny .218 BA that All-Star Catcher Jason Varitek is sporting.
He made sure to avoid that issue, especially when your down
Terry Francona deserves to be the ASG MVP just for that move.
Man Volquez is nasty.
Man Girardi just doesn’t quite uh?
What happened?
He’s catching in the bullpen.
Uh … are we … uh … supposed to cheer him or something?
Should I cheer or Boo?
Ugh, a Red Sock possibly MVP in our house. This has nightmare written all over it
Nah, the MVP will be whoever drives in the winning run.
Hopefully it’s not Drew again
Of course it would be a red sox, horseshit
Please give up some runs Papelbon.
Hah. Mariano chant while Papelbon’s pitching.
Awesome stuff
Overrated chants
Well maybe Paplebon should stop talking, and not have a 50 min interview sessions so the media doesnt have ammo
LoL, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver feelings are hurt because of the shit Jonathan Papelbon is deservedly getting. Poor babies.
There it is. Adrian for MVP.
Lot of SB in this game
Nice to see Paplebon give up a run
worthless. can’t even hold the game for a real closer
You earned it Paps.
You have Carlos Marmol, Billy Wagner, and Brad Lidge in the bullpen yet Brian Wilson is warming up?
Eh, Giants’ fans need something to cheer about.
Yeah, he’s a little pumped.
Well Pinella will probably run Marmol into the ground so the last thing he needs is to pitch now
Colby Rasmus a N.L. All-Star in 2009 (final vote, injury replacement, etc.)?
If this season is an indication…he’s a slow starter
Nah, those were the two worst months of his career. He’s a stud.
I know, I siad “if”
Only if Pujols gets hurt and the Cards need a representative.
How come the Giants are “only” 7 games out in the NL West, but the Yanks 6 game deficient is insurmountable?
I was so just thinking that
Looks like Lidge in the 9th, good choice
wagner will find a way to blow this game
Hah.
Hate to say I told you so, but i did
Ah, Bob Apodaca. The name just rolls off your tongue.
I get getting everyone in…but pinch hitting for Bradley?
Well, he didn’t exactly run Miguel Cairo or Chad Moeller out there.
Apparently it was a pretty good plan
Jonathan Papelbon and Billy Wagner both give up leads in the same game? Awesome.
Word.
Corey Hart has pretty silently become a very good player
Hysterical.
ahhh Wagner
Shove that up your ass wagner… way to go rook
man, I wish the Yanks had a Grady Sizemore or Josh Hamilton in CF.
Uh hello, we do have that type of caliber in CF: the Melk Man
How long till someone mentions Mariano;s number in tie games in the 9th
versus his numbers in save situations, i know we’ve spoken about it a lot here
Wow they better not lose it here, and we won’t see Mo
Oh good, Francona is saving Rivera for the save opportunity in extras.
Wagner blowing something big, surprising.
No Mo in the 9th?
I know it’s a tie game, but a save situation is impossible now. So why not Mo?
Why the hell isn’t Mo in?
If the A.L. wins this game in the bottom of the 9th all that good will that Terry Francona showed earlier in this game with the Derek jeter and A-Rod subs will vanish.
Does he bring Mo in this inning? Does he save him for the save…if one appears? What if the AL wins it in the ninth and Mo doesn’t pitch??
Oh right…there CAN’T be a save. Right, right.
I’m dumb. Also, leadoff walk, KRod…
He’s going to have to bring Mo in to clean up K-Rod’s mess. They don’t call him Cardiac K-Rod in Anaheim for nothing.
Told you.
Dempster warming up…lesser discussed free agent after this season
there is no save in a tie game with the home team up in the 9th inning
did no one else see that dude get hit in the balls by Longoria’s GRD
bringing him in now , thank god
He just wanted to make it a little tougher on Mo
I don’t get it…why not let Mo just pitch the full inning?
I just mad excited when Mo came out of the bullpen.
Two things. What the hell was the point of not starting MO in the ninth? Secondly, fuck FOX for not staying with the telecast so we could see MO run all the way to the mound.
Of course, cut to a commercial during Mo’s entrance.
FOX sucks
Fucking FOX cuts off from the game while Mo is entering the game, couldnt they have just stayed til he reached the mound and got the ball handed to him from Francona. It may sound stupid but it wouldve been kinda cool to watch.
Let’s Go Yankees. Bitches.
NICE
Is there anything better than watching a baseball game at Yankee Stadium on a weekday night on FOX? Just has October feel all over it (Except I’m not under my covers from the Autumn cold).
Being at the Stadium for the game?
Never been to a post-season game. Hell, this year was the first time I ever been to the Stadium.
Watching a baseball game at Yankee stadium on a weeknight on a channel with a competent broadcast team?
Money in the bank.
Hammer of God.
This Rivera guy is pretty good.
That’s a great nickname, Hammer of God.
mo would stay in for the 10th
Leave him in for the 10th!!!!! No nevermind with the way this season has gone he would get injured…..
Mo set up for the win on a walk off…
Mo is just great.
Now that was efficiency.
Soria, Sherrill and Kaz are still out there. Although I think Kaz just pitched on Sunday.
FOX has no interest in the game. All they want to do is plug their lousy shows.
Brad Lidge? Hello?
whats the ridiculous thing dempster does with his glove before he pitches
That thing Dempster does with his glove has to be some kind of balk. I thought you couldn’t do something like that because it might “deceive the hitter.”
“Will Carroll (8:48:59 PM PT): Dempster just began doing the twisting glove thing. Len Kasper says its to not tip his pitches and that he starts with a splitter grip on every pitch. Still looks really weird and tough to repeat.”
Ben says no ones up in the pen.
Tim McCarver says booing a rival player in a rival stadium is heightening a rivalry. I say Tim McCarver is a fucking idiot.
I’d take being out of position prospects than being out of pitchers, that said the NL still has arms, and dempster could give them a few innings
If someone comes up lame, though, you’re kinda screwed.
Eh, it’s not like anyone is running hard anyway.
Bulletin from Tim McCarver: Yankee fans’ booing of Papelbon might not go unnoticed when the two teams next meet up.
That’s great journalism right there.
As if it matters at this point
MO did only pitch to one batter in the ninth so I don’t think it’s an issue if he pitches the tenth.
If Mo pitches well this inning and AL walks off in the 10th, Mo is the winning pitcher and MVP?
Francona knows where it’s at. Yanks have the next two days off anyway.
I really hope that this All-Star game, doesn’t end like it did in 02.
There’s enough pitchers to get this game through at least the 12th. Someone should be able to score by then.
McClouth’s power won’t continue
Pete Abe is just reporting that there was an announcement (though not a moment of silence) for Bobby Murcer in the 2nd inning, and that he hadn’t mentioned it earlier because he “foolishly assumed Fox would have mentioned it.”
There are no words.
Can that be true?
Out of 26 world series championships, only 9 were clinched at YS?
I was thinking the same thing when I read that.
Halladay: “So that’s how you grip it, just like that, huh?”
Mo: “Yeah, just like that, man. Don’t bother, though–you’ll never throw it like the Hammer.”
Nice job by Fox getting the first pitch off at 8:45. People do have to work tomorrow, you know.
Martin fought on that one
Settin’ them up just to tear their hearts out. Mo may be quite, but deep down he’s an evil mofo.
See?
Whew, nice DP
Thank God.