Fairly solid job of voting by the fans this year -- the only absolute rocks they pulled were snubbing Brian McCann for Yadier Molina, and picking last year's Just Say No poster boy, the hobbled Josh Hamilton, over Torii Hunter.
Charlie Manuel's homer pick of Ryan Howard as a reserve 1B is inexcusable. Yeah, Howard's from St. Louis -- so what? Joey Votto and Lance Berkman are having better years, as are a few more first sackers. Yovani Gallardo and Adam Dunn are incredible omissions too. Dunn has appeared in ONE ASG, in 2002, and since then his seasonal HR totals are 27, 46, 40, 40, 40, 40 ... and this year he's on pace for 44. He also walks 100+ times every year. Over in the AL, Tim Wakefield doesn't belong at the game without a ticket, especially when Jered Weaver and Cliff Lee weren't picked.
Full Version: 2009 All-Star Game
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Someone you don't like got picked for the All-Stars. Once again, sucks to be you. When YOU manage a World Series winner then you can pick anyone you like.
As always, I'm awestruck by your fact-based refutations of my points.
Yawn.
Charlie Manuel surpassing Torre-level homerism by naming Jayson Werth as injury replacement for Beltran.
It's good to be the king!
NL injury replacements: Trevor Hoffman and Zach Duke in for Jonathan Broxton and Matt Cain. What, Charlie didn't want to pick Moyer and Lidge?
Also, Dustin Pedroia is bowing out due to a family health issue... and he's replaced on the roster by Tampa Bay 1B Carlos Pena. Presumably Aaron Hill of Toronto will start at 2B for the AL. (Ian Kinsler's absence is perplexing.)
Also, Dustin Pedroia is bowing out due to a family health issue... and he's replaced on the roster by Tampa Bay 1B Carlos Pena. Presumably Aaron Hill of Toronto will start at 2B for the AL. (Ian Kinsler's absence is perplexing.)
Kinsler's absence is very perplexing.
I'm fine with Maddon's belief that the league's leader in HRs should be on the team, but I don't know that it should be at Kinsler's cost who I thought should have been on the team from the moment they were announced.
But, of course, I also think Zobrist should be on the team so there wasn't really room for Kinsler at that point once the Boston fans surged Pedroia past the Ranger.
Long and short of it - I'll be glad to watch Pena in St. Louis, but I really do think Kinsler was the natural pick once Pedroia stepped out.
(See, Bill W, we don't all throw things like "it's good to be the king!" out there when something particular is challenged... some of us can even agree! even when it's about it our team's manager! wow!)
I'm fine with Maddon's belief that the league's leader in HRs should be on the team, but I don't know that it should be at Kinsler's cost who I thought should have been on the team from the moment they were announced.
But, of course, I also think Zobrist should be on the team so there wasn't really room for Kinsler at that point once the Boston fans surged Pedroia past the Ranger.
Long and short of it - I'll be glad to watch Pena in St. Louis, but I really do think Kinsler was the natural pick once Pedroia stepped out.
(See, Bill W, we don't all throw things like "it's good to be the king!" out there when something particular is challenged... some of us can even agree! even when it's about it our team's manager! wow!)
starters: Halladay & Lincecum. Would mean more if each went 5 innings.
QUOTE(sooners2727 @ Jul 12 2009, 04:59 PM) 
(See, Bill W, we don't all throw things like "it's good to be the king!" out there when something particular is challenged... some of us can even agree! even when it's about it our team's manager! wow!)
In addition to being morally superior, are you psychic now, too? I haven't said I agreed OR disagreed with the All-Star rosters.
QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Jul 13 2009, 06:56 PM)
In addition to being morally superior, are you psychic now, too? I haven't said I agreed OR disagreed with the All-Star rosters.
Of course you haven't agreed or disagreed... you haven't said ANYTHING of any worth or value concerning the All-Star selections. Bill W contests a selection, and you respond with childish "yaaaaaawn" or whatever else. It'd be much more amazing to add just a little bit of substance.
Here I am again trying to figure out how I can possibly reply, and I realize that I'm wasting my time. You don't like me and Bill W doesn't like anybody or anything, so I'm not going to keep wasting my time.
Boys, let's not do this. It is a good idea to respond to substance if someone is making a specific point.
I skipped the HR Derby last night as 1) it's not baseball, and 2) Chris Berman yelling BACKBACKBACK for 3 hours is certainly not entertainment.
Also, Rob Neyer in an espn.com chat:
"Manuel was allowed to mangle the NL roster, and I wish a pox upon his house. Tonight, at least."
I skipped the HR Derby last night as 1) it's not baseball, and 2) Chris Berman yelling BACKBACKBACK for 3 hours is certainly not entertainment.
Also, Rob Neyer in an espn.com chat:
"Manuel was allowed to mangle the NL roster, and I wish a pox upon his house. Tonight, at least."
I tried to watch the HR Derby last night but I should have known better. From here on out I vow to never, ever watch anything, anytime, anywhere if Chris Berman is part of it. How does this ass still have a job? His schtick was kind of original (though I've always despised it) when ESPN when trying to make a name for itself but they don't need his nickname nonsense anymore. As a columnist pointed out, if Berman was around during earlier times a guy like Joe Jackson would be nicknamed Joe "Action" Jackson instead of Shoeless and Ted Williams would have been Ted "DeBear" or "Sherwin" Williams instead of the Splendid Splinter or Teddy Ballgame. Get off my TV f**knuts!
QUOTE(George Twins fan @ Jul 14 2009, 12:59 PM)
Get off my TV f**knuts!
lmao!
Mike Young starts in place of injured Longoria... Let's face it, Evan's only peer at 3B at the end of the season will be A-Rod. I can't stand him personally, but it's a joke that he's not there.
in other news....can Joe Buck just go away?
QUOTE(George Twins fan @ Jul 14 2009, 03:59 PM)
Get off my TV f**knuts!
Agreed!
I've never been able to stand the ESPN announcers. They don't have much of a clue. My favorite was yesterday, when a fan reached over the wall to grab a ball that was hit, and the guy (no clue which one) said, "I don't care! It's a home run!" Apparently, the rules don't matter...
Never again...
ESPN's announcers aren't the best of the bunch [their best team is probably Gary Thorne and Rick Sutcliffe] but the FUX announcers SUCK.
Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are the worst baseball announcers on National TV.
Thom Brennaman is arrogant and Kenny Albert sounds creepy. Dick Stockton is clearly over the hill and their only good color commentators are Mark Grace and Eric Karros (ok, I'm a little biased).
The ideal #1 national broadcast team would be Bob Costas and someone other than Tim McCarver and Joe Morgan.....
Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are the worst baseball announcers on National TV.
Thom Brennaman is arrogant and Kenny Albert sounds creepy. Dick Stockton is clearly over the hill and their only good color commentators are Mark Grace and Eric Karros (ok, I'm a little biased).
The ideal #1 national broadcast team would be Bob Costas and someone other than Tim McCarver and Joe Morgan.....
QUOTE(cubsfan @ Jul 14 2009, 08:40 PM)
ESPN's announcers aren't the best of the bunch [their best team is probably Gary Thorne and Rick Sutcliffe] but the FUX announcers SUCK.
Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are the worst baseball announcers on National TV.
Thom Brennaman is arrogant and Kenny Albert sounds creepy. Dick Stockton is clearly over the hill and their only good color commentators are Mark Grace and Eric Karros (ok, I'm a little biased).
Mark Grace is a clown.
Sutcliffe and Grace are awful, as are 95% of ex-jocks. MUTE is usually the button you want for TV baseball.
I love Pujols, but the error amusingly messes with Fox's storyline...
I love Pujols, but the error amusingly messes with Fox's storyline...
This discussion comes around every year about national sports broadcasters regardless of the sport. It seems whether it's ESPN or FOX most people will find some team of broadcasters they dislike. Is there even one team that everyone can agree is good or are opinions so divergent that no team gets consensus approval.
Dan Shulman is a good broadcaster.
I like Jon Miller, but can't listen to the two clowns he's stuck with (a great player who can't analyze, and a lousy GM who can't make sense).
I've said it before: if this game "COUNTED" there would be no willynilly substitutions in the 5th inning. And the game's best hitter wouldn't be pulled after six.
And Ryan Howard wouldn't be around to make that lousy checkswing.
I've said it before: if this game "COUNTED" there would be no willynilly substitutions in the 5th inning. And the game's best hitter wouldn't be pulled after six.
And Ryan Howard wouldn't be around to make that lousy checkswing.
Considering all of the neg talk 'bout sports analysts on this thread we should simply call upon our spokesman: 
The AL owns the NL.
Will this help for emphasis canmark?:
It's official, the NL sucks. Chris Berman, Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver can all go f**k themselves.
And to SCT: awesome, Penn is the f**king man.
And to SCT: awesome, Penn is the f**king man.
That was a most amazing catch by Crawford.
A most deserved MVP award!
Game 1 at the Trop!
A most deserved MVP award!
Game 1 at the Trop!
QUOTE(MetsfanChi @ Jul 14 2009, 08:42 PM)
And to SCT: awesome, Penn is the f**king man.
Dah man!
I really can't call a 1-run win "ownage." A manager who was trying to win in the NL dugout mighta made the diff.
I hope Fat Charlie manages the Phils with such efficiency the rest of the way.
I hope Fat Charlie manages the Phils with such efficiency the rest of the way.
You mean like not pitching Johan Santana because the Mets told him they didn't want Santana to pitch?
I'm glad the Mets organization ASKED Charlie not to pitch Santana. It's him, Wright and K-rod as the only 3 consistencies on our team right now.
I assume you meant they asked Charlie not to pitch Santana, which was certainly the right thing for the Mets to do.
It just proves the All-Star game is a joke. It's an exhibition and nothing more, no matter how much MLB keeps shoving the "This time it counts" line down our throats. It doesn't count, and never will.
It just proves the All-Star game is a joke. It's an exhibition and nothing more, no matter how much MLB keeps shoving the "This time it counts" line down our throats. It doesn't count, and never will.
I've liked three ex-players as broadcasters:
Ralph Kiner (VERY biased, but listening to him during games are a huge part of my childhood memories)
Ron Darling (you have to admit he's great)
Al Leiter (Is he still on YES? I thought he was very good the few times I heard him...)
Obviously, I don't know other markets besides New York, and as we've discussed, the national broadcasters are pretty bad...
Ralph Kiner (VERY biased, but listening to him during games are a huge part of my childhood memories)
Ron Darling (you have to admit he's great)
Al Leiter (Is he still on YES? I thought he was very good the few times I heard him...)
Obviously, I don't know other markets besides New York, and as we've discussed, the national broadcasters are pretty bad...
Leiter is real good; he's an in-studio analyst on the MLB Network now, certainly the most thoughtful ex-player working that desk.
As far as YES goes, I heard Ken Singleton and David Cone, both very listenable, working without the odious Michael Kay one night recently. Bliss.
Kiner was extremely variable throughout his 40+ years doing the Mets; too old-school, but he snapped out of a semi-coma when Tim McCarver joined him in the '80s. (That's when McCarver was good, believe it or not.) Also, Ralph was nowhere as much of a homer as, say, that clown Ken Harrelson is.
Darling's good but a little overpraised. (Also has the tendency of ex-pitchers to complain about the disappearance of 130-pitch complete games, etc. Guys: pitching is harder now than it was 25 years ago.)
btw, the AAA All-Star Game is on at 10 pm ET on ESPN2. Certainly more interesting than HR derbies.
As far as YES goes, I heard Ken Singleton and David Cone, both very listenable, working without the odious Michael Kay one night recently. Bliss.
Kiner was extremely variable throughout his 40+ years doing the Mets; too old-school, but he snapped out of a semi-coma when Tim McCarver joined him in the '80s. (That's when McCarver was good, believe it or not.) Also, Ralph was nowhere as much of a homer as, say, that clown Ken Harrelson is.
Darling's good but a little overpraised. (Also has the tendency of ex-pitchers to complain about the disappearance of 130-pitch complete games, etc. Guys: pitching is harder now than it was 25 years ago.)
btw, the AAA All-Star Game is on at 10 pm ET on ESPN2. Certainly more interesting than HR derbies.
I haven't posted on Outsports in eons, but wanted to say 2 things about last night:
1. Dem, Repub or other, you have to admit, this President rocks a pair of jeans like no other!
2. Maddon was a real douchebag for not finding a single batter for Tim Wakefield to pitch to. Wake is one of the best citizens in the game, a real man in an era of drugged-up, egomaniacal pretty boy prima donnas, appearing in his first and possibly last All Star game at 42.
1. Dem, Repub or other, you have to admit, this President rocks a pair of jeans like no other!
2. Maddon was a real douchebag for not finding a single batter for Tim Wakefield to pitch to. Wake is one of the best citizens in the game, a real man in an era of drugged-up, egomaniacal pretty boy prima donnas, appearing in his first and possibly last All Star game at 42.
QUOTE(Skiguy @ Jul 15 2009, 06:44 PM)
...you have to admit, this President rocks a pair of jeans like no other!
Gluteus maximus is a rockin body part, oomph!
I would call 13 consecutive wins "ownage."
But, of course, the All Star Game is meaningless, and having it determine home field advantage in the World Series makes no sense. On the radio some people were saying how other All Star Games, such as the NBA wind up as dunk contests, whereas in baseball the players really try to play hard. I suppose it's true in the sense that you can't really show off in baseball, and the pitchers are trying to get batters out and the hitters are trying to get hits. But the way players come in and go out willy nilly is not how anyone would manage if they were trying to win, thereby making the actual win meaningless.
On another topic, it seems that some Canadians were miffed that the Canadian national anthem was just a canned rendition instead of a live singer.
But, of course, the All Star Game is meaningless, and having it determine home field advantage in the World Series makes no sense. On the radio some people were saying how other All Star Games, such as the NBA wind up as dunk contests, whereas in baseball the players really try to play hard. I suppose it's true in the sense that you can't really show off in baseball, and the pitchers are trying to get batters out and the hitters are trying to get hits. But the way players come in and go out willy nilly is not how anyone would manage if they were trying to win, thereby making the actual win meaningless.
On another topic, it seems that some Canadians were miffed that the Canadian national anthem was just a canned rendition instead of a live singer.
QUOTE
But (Sheryl Crow) didn't sing O Canada -- and neither did anybody else. Instead, an instrumental version of Canada's national anthem was piped through stadium speakers.
After the game, the 28-year-old Morneau told reporters that Major League Baseball could have handled the situation better.
"I wasn't very impressed with that to tell you the truth," he said Tuesday night. "You figure they could find somebody to come and sing the song. They have a hockey team here, the Canadian teams play here.
"It's something that didn't really go over too well. I think if it happened the other way around, if they were playing in Toronto and they did that, it would have been a lot bigger deal. But nothing you can do about it."
It's not the first time that Canadian protocol has become an issue at a big baseball game.
When the Blue Jays were in Atlanta for Game 2 of the 1992 World Series, a U.S. Marine colour guard brought the Canadian flag onto the field hanging upside down -- an incident that saw the Atlanta Braves, Major League Baseball and even former U.S. president George Bush apologize.
After the game, the 28-year-old Morneau told reporters that Major League Baseball could have handled the situation better.
"I wasn't very impressed with that to tell you the truth," he said Tuesday night. "You figure they could find somebody to come and sing the song. They have a hockey team here, the Canadian teams play here.
"It's something that didn't really go over too well. I think if it happened the other way around, if they were playing in Toronto and they did that, it would have been a lot bigger deal. But nothing you can do about it."
It's not the first time that Canadian protocol has become an issue at a big baseball game.
When the Blue Jays were in Atlanta for Game 2 of the 1992 World Series, a U.S. Marine colour guard brought the Canadian flag onto the field hanging upside down -- an incident that saw the Atlanta Braves, Major League Baseball and even former U.S. president George Bush apologize.
QUOTE(canmark @ Jul 15 2009, 07:17 PM)
I would call 13 consecutive wins "ownage."
A'ight!
QUOTE(cubsfan @ Jul 14 2009, 07:40 PM)
The ideal #1 national broadcast team would be Bob Costas and someone other than Tim McCarver and Joe Morgan.....
Bob Costas? Why, so we can hear him talk himself to death? That man sure loves to hear himself talk.
And talk.
And talk.
And talk...
I'm suddenly thinking of people in glass houses and pots meeting kettles.
I would call 13 consecutive wins "ownage."
But, of course, the All Star Game is meaningless, and having it determine home field advantage in the World Series makes no sense. On the radio some people were saying how other All Star Games, such as the NBA wind up as dunk contests, whereas in baseball the players really try to play hard. I suppose it's true in the sense that you can't really show off in baseball, and the pitchers are trying to get batters out and the hitters are trying to get hits. But the way players come in and go out willy nilly is not how anyone would manage if they were trying to win, thereby making the actual win meaningless.
Excellent point Canmark! Bud Selig was on Mike & Mike and saying that they have to determine home field advantage early because they can't get hotels and such if they wait. Well I don't recall any World Series team prior to this slumming it at a Comfort Inn or a HoJos. And there have been many times when home field and playoff ebrths weren't detemined until the very last day and those teams managed to find accomodations. Basing it on which league wins this exhibition is just a silly gimmick and it's only slightly better than the way they used to do it.
On another topic, it seems that some Canadians were miffed that the Canadian national anthem was just a canned rendition instead of a live singer.
I understand that there is only one Canadian team and a handful of Canadian-born players. But if the game were in Toronto and our NA had been an afterthought like that, FOX News and their ilk would be declaring war on Canada.
QUOTE(canmark @ Jul 15 2009, 09:17 PM)
I would call 13 consecutive wins "ownage."
But, of course, the All Star Game is meaningless, and having it determine home field advantage in the World Series makes no sense. On the radio some people were saying how other All Star Games, such as the NBA wind up as dunk contests, whereas in baseball the players really try to play hard. I suppose it's true in the sense that you can't really show off in baseball, and the pitchers are trying to get batters out and the hitters are trying to get hits. But the way players come in and go out willy nilly is not how anyone would manage if they were trying to win, thereby making the actual win meaningless.
Excellent point Canmark! Bud Selig was on Mike & Mike and saying that they have to determine home field advantage early because they can't get hotels and such if they wait. Well I don't recall any World Series team prior to this slumming it at a Comfort Inn or a HoJos. And there have been many times when home field and playoff ebrths weren't detemined until the very last day and those teams managed to find accomodations. Basing it on which league wins this exhibition is just a silly gimmick and it's only slightly better than the way they used to do it.
QUOTE(canmark @ Jul 15 2009, 09:17 PM)
On another topic, it seems that some Canadians were miffed that the Canadian national anthem was just a canned rendition instead of a live singer.
I understand that there is only one Canadian team and a handful of Canadian-born players. But if the game were in Toronto and our NA had been an afterthought like that, FOX News and their ilk would be declaring war on Canada.
QUOTE(George Twins fan @ Jul 16 2009, 05:33 AM)
But if the game were in Toronto and our NA had been an afterthought like that, FOX News and their ilk would be declaring war on Canada.
Yep! They'd come up w/ terms such as Mounty Terrorrists, call for passing an amendment which declares Blame Canada to be sung/played @ every sports event, have Congress officially remove Canada from the NAFTA trade bloc, & they'd call for a natl boycott of Tim Horton products.
Hit it, Maestro!
"Blame Canada! Blame Canada!"
As long as they don't bomb the Baldwin's house, we'll be fine.
"Blame Canada! Blame Canada!"
As long as they don't bomb the Baldwin's house, we'll be fine.
You can tell Selig is lying when his lips are moving.
Tim Wakefield was a sentimental pick. His longevity and ability to eat innings at his age has value, but he has been mediocre to good over the course of his career, and hasn't remotely been one of the 10 best starting pitchers in the league this year. That's the facts, jack.
Tim Wakefield was a sentimental pick. His longevity and ability to eat innings at his age has value, but he has been mediocre to good over the course of his career, and hasn't remotely been one of the 10 best starting pitchers in the league this year. That's the facts, jack.
QUOTE(SCTrojan @ Jul 16 2009, 09:28 AM)
Yep! They'd come up w/ terms such as Mounty Terrorrists, call for passing an amendment which declares Blame Canada to be sung/played @ every sports event, have Congress officially remove Canada from the NAFTA trade bloc, & they'd call for a natl boycott of Tim Horton products.
It's sad, because it's true.
Why didn't MLB give Stan Musial his "Ted Williams moment"?
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/07/15...e-been-the-man/
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/07/15...e-been-the-man/
MLB blames tight schedule for the canned version of "O Canada."
QUOTE
(MLB) spokesperson Pat Courtney said Friday a tight schedule, which included U.S. President Barack Obama throwing out the first pitch, led to the decision to pipe a recording of the Canadian national anthem through the stadium speakers.
He added that the practice was likely a thing of the past.
“Regrettably, the length of the pre-game ceremonies caused timing difficulties,” Courtney wrote in an email to The Canadian Press. “We expect there to be live renditions at future all-star games.”
Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow sang the Star Spangled Banner before Tuesday's all-star game in St. Louis, after a recorded instrumental performance of O Canada was piped through the speakers at Busch Stadium.
* * *
A taped version of O Canada was also played at last year's all-star game at Yankee Stadium in New York, when Crow also sang the U.S. anthem.
The symphony orchestras in San Francisco (2007) and Pittsburgh (2006) performed O Canada at the previous two all-star games.
He added that the practice was likely a thing of the past.
“Regrettably, the length of the pre-game ceremonies caused timing difficulties,” Courtney wrote in an email to The Canadian Press. “We expect there to be live renditions at future all-star games.”
Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow sang the Star Spangled Banner before Tuesday's all-star game in St. Louis, after a recorded instrumental performance of O Canada was piped through the speakers at Busch Stadium.
* * *
A taped version of O Canada was also played at last year's all-star game at Yankee Stadium in New York, when Crow also sang the U.S. anthem.
The symphony orchestras in San Francisco (2007) and Pittsburgh (2006) performed O Canada at the previous two all-star games.
A "tight" schedule? Someone throws out the first pitch EVERY YEAR. They introduce former players EVERY YEAR. The only thing they added was that whole "salute to volunteers" or whatever it was, and they probably had a segment commemorating someone or something else in previous years that filled its slot. That's a joke of an excuse. If they were on that tight of a schedule they'd have played the recording of the anthem they use at the Olympics instead of hiring Sheryl Crow. I think Canada should declare war over this!
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