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Subject: 2008 All-Star Discussion Posted by: Kyle - Donor [052753312] Sun, Jul 06, 2008, 16:09 I can't put into words how frustrating the All-Star Game is, but the rosters have been announced. Starters NL C- Geovany Soto 1B- Lance Berkman 2B- Chase Utley SS- Han-Ram 3B- Larry Jones LF- Ryan Braun CF- Alfonso Soriano RF- Kosuke Fukudome AL C- Joe Mauer 1B- Kevin Youkilis 2B- Dustin Pedroia SS- Derek Jeter 3B- Alex Rodriguez LF- Manny Ramirez CF- Josh Hamilton RF- Ichiro Suzuki DH- David Ortiz (Milton Bradley will start) Reserves NL Pitchers P Aaron Cook, COL P Ryan Dempster, CHC P Dan Haren, ARI P Brad Lidge, PHI P Tim Lincecum, SF P Ben Sheets, MIL P Edinson Volquez, CIN P Billy Wagner, NYM P Brandon Webb, ARI P Brian Wilson, SF P Kerry Wood, CHC P Carlos Zambrano, CHC NL Reserves C Russell Martin, LA 1B Brian McCann, ATL 1B Adrian Gonzalez, SD 1B Albert Pujols, STL 2B Dan Uggla, FLA 3B Aramis Ramirez, CHC SS Cristian Guzman, WAS SS Miguel Tejada, HOU OF Matt Holliday, COL OF Ryan Ludwick, STL OF Nate McLouth, PIT AL Pitchers P Justin Duchscherer, OAK P Roy Halladay, TOR P Scott Kazmir, TB P Cliff Lee, CLE P Joe Nathan, MIN P Jonathan Papelbon, BOS P Mariano Rivera, NYY P Francisco Rodriguez, LAA P Ervin Santana, LAA P Joe Saunders, LAA P George Sherrill, BAL P Joakim Soria, KC AL Reserves C Dioner Navarro, TB C Jason Varitek, BOS 1B Justin Morneau, MIN 2B Ian Kinsler, TEX SS Michael Young, TEX 3B Joe Crede, CWS 3B Carlos Guillen, DET OF J.D. Drew, BOS OF Carlos Quentin, CWS OF Grady Sizemore, CLE DH Milton Bradley, TEX | |||||||
| 1 | J ID: 38554714 Sun, Jul 06, 2008, 18:30 |
Where's XNads????? Something's gotta change with the fan voting, Ichiro and FukYouDoMe don't belong in there IMO. If this game "counts" then the managers should fully choose the teams. | ||||||
| 2 | ksoze Leader ID: 04619323 Sun, Jul 06, 2008, 20:00 | Longoria should be in before either Guillen or Crede, hitting stats can be debated as relatively similar (except for Guillen's lack of power) but Longoria is an absolute stud at in the field. | ||||||
| 3 | Da Bomb Donor ID: 487112814 Mon, Jul 07, 2008, 01:43 | Jason Varitek?!?! Francona is a joke. His .218 average is the lowest among qualified leaders for catchers in the majors - by far. Also sorry to see Moose not make the cut. | ||||||
| 4 | Perm Dude ID: 16633611 Mon, Jul 07, 2008, 01:52 |
The starters are somewhat limited to the players on the ballots. But most of the big mistakes were made up by the reserve selections. Except for Varitek a decent case can be made for all those guys (event Suzuki, who has 111 hits already and 34 SBs). Too bad Sabathia didn't make it. I would have hoped the MLB strikeout leader would have been able to be squeezed onto the squad. | ||||||
| 5 | J Leader ID: 049346417 Mon, Jul 07, 2008, 09:02 | Varitek was voted in by the players | ||||||
| 6 | Seward Norse ID: 58082219 Mon, Jul 07, 2008, 09:53 | The game's a joke. Does it matter or not? If it matters, start acting like it all the way around. If it doesn't matter, then stop telling us it does! | ||||||
| 7 | Kyle Donor ID: 052753312 Mon, Jul 07, 2008, 09:55 |
Veritek was only voted in because he befriends every other player in the MLB. At least that's what I've heard. AJ Pierzynski should have been an All-Star, but for some reason every player and fan from every other team can not stand him. As a Sox fan I didn't like him because he tore our pitching up (along with every Minnesota player) but now that he's on our team I love his hard work and attitude on the field. Anyway let me just say that if Jermaine Dye doesn't make the All-Star game then it's a travesty. Vote for him! | ||||||
| 8 | JeffG Leader ID: 01584348 Wed, Jul 09, 2008, 15:15 | There seems to be a groundswell of support that I have seen in many places for Mariano Rivera to get the start for the AL. I understand what those in support of this concept are trying to do, but to me, the best way to honor him is to let Mo emerge from the pen in the top of the 9th to the thunderous cheers as he as done his entire career. It does not matter whether the game is on the line, let him serve his regular role, and hopefully record the final out of the game. | ||||||
| 9 | blue hen ID: 30311814 Wed, Jul 09, 2008, 16:13 | Yeah. Cliff Lee needs to start this game. | ||||||
| 10 | Ref Donor ID: 539581218 Wed, Jul 09, 2008, 20:10 |
RE: 6 The game is an exhibition. It's like the coin flip to who gets to host the games. I think it's pretty big to open at home and have 6 and 7 at home if needed. But I agree that it's exhibition first. Most will not even play in the World Series. It hould be that the winners get paid and the losers get nothing except their per diem and hotel room. Yet with all the cash they make--do they really care save for the younger guys who haven't got those big contracts yet? | ||||||
| 11 | J Leader ID: 049346417 Thu, Jul 10, 2008, 08:44 | The Douche > CLee | ||||||
| 12 | Khahan ID: 1065339 Thu, Jul 10, 2008, 13:14 |
The national league team isn't so bad. I question Fukudome. Certainly he's an asset to the cubs but with the emergence of players like ryan ludwick and Nate McClouth and guys like Matt Holliday its hard to say he 'should' be there. Also, in my eyes, Soriano should not have even been eligible. Yes, when he's played he's put up the stats. But he's been injured and has been injured throughout the voting process. On the AL side, we see a strong east coast bias *remember, red sox fan here* 1. Derek Jeter - no way he belongs this year. Michael young and Orlando Cabrera are both putting up better numbers than Jetes. But its a popularity contest. 2. David Ortiz - whether he'll get the start or not is irrelevant. He shouldn't have even been on the ballot for as long as he's been injured. 3. Manny Ramirez- again a popularity contest and Manny's got the name recognition. But he's not an All-star this year. Based on performance this year any of the reserves are more deserving. 4. Kevin Youkilis - ok you can make an argument for Justin Morneau or even Aubrey Huff but you can't really make an argument against Youk. Fans got one right. Personally I don't see how a number of guys are even on the ballot. If they are on the DL when the ballot is released and are expected to be on the DL at the Allstar break (both criteria should be met) then they should not even make the ballot. | ||||||
| 13 | JeffG Leader ID: 01584348 Thu, Jul 10, 2008, 14:18 |
The paper ballots are pre-printed in time for the May 1 launch of All-Star voting. It would be tough to tweak the ballot in real time as players get hurt, or shift positions, or leagues. As long as fans vote, it will be a popularity contest and weighted in favor of players who have larger fan bases (Ichiro) or play for teams with large fan bases (NY, Boston, Chicago). Then again, the reserves are now voted on by the players and there seem to be second-guesses for their selections too. When the writers did the reserves, or the all-star manager, they were questioned too. I just think whatever is done, baseball is just meant to be debated. While we are at it, 32 man rosters for a 9 inning showcase game seem excessive too. | ||||||
| 14 | blue hen ID: 30311814 Thu, Jul 10, 2008, 18:10 |
Ryan Ludwick hasn't really emerged, has he? link As you can see, he is 120th in OPS since June 2, behind Jose Lopez. Not so spectacular for a corner outfielder. | ||||||
| 15 | judy Sustainer ID: 7771722 Thu, Jul 10, 2008, 21:43 |
Howard leads the NL in HR and RBI--- forget the K's and BA. Would be the first time a leader in those stats did NOT make the All Star team. Just wait til he really warms up! | ||||||
| 16 | holt ID: 341542412 Fri, Jul 11, 2008, 15:35 |
Just read that Fukudome is the starting CF for the NL. Barf. There must be at least 20 NL OF's with better numbers. BH - maybe Ludwick has been in a slump, but he still has the 4th highest OPS among NL OF's this season (129 points higher that Fukudome, for example). | ||||||
| 17 | JeffG Leader ID: 01584348 Mon, Jul 14, 2008, 09:56 |
Sheets to be NL starter Good news for Brewers fans. The other 3 ASG to be hosted by Yankee Stadium, the NL starter was also that year's World Series game 1 starter. 1977 - Don Sutton - LAD 1960B - Vernon Law - Pit 1939 - Paul Derringer - Cin Good news Yankee fans: All three times Yankee Stadium hosted the ASG, the Yankees represented the AL in the World Series. | ||||||
| 18 | JeffG Leader ID: 01584348 Mon, Jul 14, 2008, 12:53 |
Starting Lineups: AL starting lineup: 1: Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Mariners 2: Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees 3: Josh Hamilton, CF, Rangers 4: Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees 5: Manny Ramirez, LF, Red Sox 6: Milton Bradley, DH, Rangers 7: Kevin Youkilis, 1B, Red Sox 8: Joe Mauer, C, Twins 9: Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox SP: Cliff Lee, Indians NL starting lineup: 1: Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins 2: Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies 3: Lance Berkman, 1B, Astros 4: Albert Pujols, DH, Cardinals 5: Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves 6: Matt Holliday, RF, Rockies 7: Ryan Braun, LF, Brewers 8: Kosuke Fukudome, CF, Cubs 9: Geovany Soto, C, Cubs SP: Ben Sheets, Brewers | ||||||
| 19 | Seattle Zen ID: 49112418 Mon, Jul 14, 2008, 13:05 | Man, that NL line-up is wicked! | ||||||
| 20 | Razor ID: 545172413 Mon, Jul 14, 2008, 13:15 |
I like the NL lineup better, which includes the top 4 players in the league in BA plus two of the top 5 HR hitters leading things off. Not sure why Sheets got the start, however. I assume it's because the stronger candidates did not have their starts lined up to make a longer appearance in the game. Hats off to the rest of the NL, by the way. I would have guessed that the NL starter would have come from the West. | ||||||
| 21 | JeffG Leader ID: 01584348 Tue, Jul 15, 2008, 00:55 |
Some HR Derby photos Remembering Bobby Murcer  Mascot group photo  Stadium at dusk, new Stadium in distance  Hamilton launches another one  Round One scores  Morneau hitting in finals 
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| 22 | Seattle Zen ID: 29241823 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 10:55 | I sure am glad that the AL won for the baseball gods sure would have been offended had it been otherwise. The umpires missed two calls in the 11th that should have ended the game right there. Dioner Navaro was certainly safe at home, the home plate ump must have been tired. Horrible missed call. | ||||||
| 23 | blue hen ID: 30311814 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 11:11 |
Not sure if you can see it from Jeff's picture, but the blimp had a TV on the outside that showed ads (usually for DirecTV) the whole time. What a game! I stayed until the very end, and it was quite fun. Especially in extra innings where a single hit could have ended it. McLouth's throw was amazing. | ||||||
| 24 | Ref Donor ID: 539581218 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 11:33 |
RE: 22 When I saw it live, I thought he was out at the plate. But when I saw it on replay I thought he was definitely safe. But then they showed it from the infield camera and it appeared the first time I saw it that Martin may have touched his foot before tagging him high. But then I saw it again and I couldn't tell. | ||||||
| 25 | Perm Dude ID: 53622158 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 11:35 | Martin's glove went over the foot--he tagged him (eventually) on the body just after the runner's foot hit the plate. Both that play and the earlier play of Kinsler at second were both bad calls that went against the AL. If the umps had gotten the Kinsler call the game was likely over an hour sooner. | ||||||
| 26 | JeffG Leader ID: 01584348 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 11:40 |
I stayed til the end too, the winning run scored at 1:37AM. We even stayed and watched Drew pick up his SUV as MVP. I'll post some pics later tonight when I get home. Props to my wife Sharon who gets up for work at 4AM each morning sticking it out for the whole game at close to 22 hours after she woke up, and then getting up for work on sched this morning with about 90 minutes of sleep. It was a terrific pre-game ceremony, but they should not start these things so first pitch is close to 9PM ET. What was the deal with the Canadian National Anthem being played over the PA, couldn't they find a live performer? The flyover was very neat too. Would have been fun to see what happened if it went another inning with Kazmir and Lidge probably not being able to go more than 2 innings each. Crowd was quite tame, there were alot of fans of different teams mixed in to where I sat, but it was kind of neat to watch the game along Cubs, Phils and Angels fans to get different perspectives. Still, crowd was pretty much sitting on their hands all night except when Jeter, ARod or Mo was in action, or when a Red Sox or Met was up. Humerous moment of the night for me was when Red Sox reliever Papelbon pitched to the Mets Wright in the 8th. The pockets of Yankee fans that feel they must boo and root against anything Boston or Mets did not know what to do. BTW, Humerous moment of the HR derby was about 3/4 of the way through Josh Hamilton's epic HR streak, someone behind me yelled, "Would someone pull Farnsworth off the mound already". | ||||||
| 27 | blue hen ID: 30311814 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 12:20 |
Yeah I was impressed by the number of Phillies fans there, including myself. All Utley jerseys with a couple Howards and my Lidge (plus one Mike Schmidt). I sat next to a couple Rah Rah Yankee fans, who are exactly the type to give Yankee fans a bad name, and in front of a couple very sharp Cubs fans (one even kept score). Honestly, extra innings was an awesome experience, with the crowd thinned out a bit and every at bat mattered. | ||||||
| 28 | ChicagoTRS ID: 4110481415 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 13:00 |
I was really hoping MLB would get put in a bad spot and both teams would run out of pitchers. According to Selig this morning...position players would have had to pitch. Personally I think it is ridiculous that this exhibition game decides something as important as home field advantage for the world series. Game should be what it has always intended...an exhibition. After 12 innings it should just be declared a tie...that way managers could plan their pitching staff for a max of 12 innings. It is not like a regular game as most pitchers are going 2 innings max so it is really impossible to properly manage a game that is going to go deep into extras. Best regular season record should get WS home field. | ||||||
| 29 | Perm Dude ID: 386551611 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 13:03 |
I don't know why Selig can try to get all tough on this, while allowing an exhibition game to go on into the wee hours of the morning. The only reason it "counts" is that Selig tried to cover his own blunder. It doesn't mean that baseball should waive its usual time restrictions on how long the game should start. I think once the managers use their last pitchers, then that's it. Given interleague play, best record makes the most sense. | ||||||
| 30 | judy Sustainer ID: 7771722 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 13:48 |
I loved the intros where the starters got to meet the Hall of Famers in their positions. So many names and so many memories of the guys from the 50's, 60's and 70's. I wonder why more H of Famers did not come? Bench, for example. I sure wish Pete Rose were in the Hall of Fame -- it's for what you did in baseball -- not what you do in life. He was a truly awesome player -- I was at the game in Philly when he was trying to break Musial's record -- he tied it in the first -- and then Nolan Ryan struck him out 3 times! The Vet was jumping that night! Neither one wanted to give in! And then baseball went on strike... sigh. | ||||||
| 31 | Seward Norse ID: 58082219 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 15:32 | Sure wish a guy wouldn't have to stay up half the night to see the end of a game. Gotta admit that with Baby Norse in the house now I didn't make it past about the 5th inning. | ||||||
| 32 | J Leader ID: 049346417 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 15:57 |
After a while I didn't care who won, I just kept watching in hopes of seeing what would happen if they ran out of pitching. Why not have each squad carry 5 extra middle relievers who are only allowed to pitch in extra innings. | ||||||
| 33 | Kyle Donor ID: 052753312 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 16:08 |
I was kind of hoping they would have to use position players to pitch. The AL had none left so the only person they could put on the mound would have been someone who was out on the field and bring Longoria to the field. Or they could pitch Longoria. I think that would have been fantastic to see. That said my one fantasy team has Kazmir, Lidge and Young. The Winner, The Loser and the game winning RBI. That was pretty neat. :-\ | ||||||
| 34 | judy ID: 597401015 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 16:18 |
Maybe after they run out of pitcher innings, the pitcher would have to go play in the field to have 9 players (wouldn't THAT be exciting...) and then the fielder pitches -- could be like batting practice! certainly some interesting scenarios - but when will the sports (or is it advertising) world get it about starting these things so late. I am exhausted in October staying up late to watch the playoffs from the east coast with those long intervals between innings and the late starts. | ||||||
| 35 | JeffG Leader ID: 01584348 Wed, Jul 16, 2008, 19:52 |
Photos from the All-Star Game: Hall of Famers enter field.  Pre-game intros  First pitch of game  First pitch, bottom first.  Drew rounds bases after 7th inning game tying HR  Mariano emerges from pen in 9th  Yeah Mo! Strike em out (Ludwig), Throw em out (Guzman) DP ends 9th.  Cook pitching out of bases loaded trouble, w/1 out, Longoria reached on fielder's choice to third, Quentin out at home, Guillen to third, Sizemore to second.  Navaro nailed at home in 11th.  4 hours, 50 minutes after first pitch, Morneau scores on Young SF in 15th.  AL All-Stars celebrate  At 1:37AM, things get real blurry. 
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| 36 | blue hen ID: 30311814 Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 11:15 |
Wow, Jeff had better seats and a better camera. I did get the guy behind me to take a picture with both me and the clock in it. He's going to email it. | ||||||
| 37 | C1-NRB ID: 5932328 Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 11:21 |
I have a dumb question. I missed the pre-game festivities (in fact, I didn't start watching until about the 6th inning, but I did see 9 innings of baseball). Who are the guys standing at second base? Not the ones at the second base position- second base itself. I assume the guys in front of homeplate are managers. | ||||||
| 38 | JeffG Leader ID: 01584348 Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 11:48 |
Who are the guys standing at second base? Behind 2B are the two starting DHs and HOFer Molitor. They stood there to paraphraze the PA announcer was "because that is where Molitor ended up after all his doubles" Yes, the guys behind home plate are the managers and a HOF executive (Lee McPhail). Wow, Jeff had better seats... ... and they could have even been better if I wanted to pony up. I had the option of taking my regular season ticket seats which would have even been 'better' than what I got, but I did not want to pay $450 per seat for the ASG and $350 per seat for the derby. I am in the main level boxes between 1B and the RF pole for in my 20-game ticket plan during the regular season. Luckily the Yankees let partial season ticket holders 'downgrade' to the cheap seats ($200 each). Oh, and I am sure you noticed that my innings 12-15 photos are alot closer. When everyone started leaving, we moved down to the lower deck. | ||||||
| 39 | blue hen ID: 30311814 Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 11:57 | Yeah, my $200 seats were in right field. $450 would have been significantly better - I found seats in row A of the upper deck right behind the plate for $450. Oh well. | ||||||
| 40 | C1-NRB ID: 5932328 Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 12:05 |
Who are the guys standing at second base? Behind 2B are the two starting DHs and HOFer Molitor. They stood there to paraphraze the PA announcer was "because that is where Molitor ended up after all his doubles" Yes, the guys behind home plate are the managers and a HOF executive (Lee McPhail). Oh, OK. Thanks. At homeplate- are the Catchers in front of homeplate? Only 2 HoF catchers could be there? Yogi Berra and Gary Carter (?) Didn't somebody here say Johnny Bench wasn't there... | ||||||
| 41 | JeffG Leader ID: 01584348 Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 12:10 | The catchers are the ones in fair territory, just HOFers Yogi and Carter attended. In foul territory are the four HOF managers and executives. | ||||||
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