What an All-Star Game! Though I incorrectly predicted the National League would win for the first time since 1996, I enjoyed the game more than those in recent memory. My favorite play had to be Nate McLouth’s throw home to nail Dioner Navarro at the plate in the bottom of the eleventh. I wanted to see Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook named the All-Star MVP despite his team losing the game, but that has happened just twice in the award’s history, the last time being 1970. Cook survived two errors by Dan Uggla (who made three in total in extra innings after replacing starting second baseman Chase Utley) and tossed three scoreless innings, getting out of a bases-loaded no-out jam in the 10th that his defense got him into.
This year did not feature any terrible omissions from the American and National League All-Star teams. Jermaine Dye, Mike Mussina and Xavier Nady (as well as a handful of others) could have made it, but there are always guys having good seasons who aren’t selected because of limited roster space. The victim of last year’s biggest all-star snub was Kevin Youkilis, whose name was not on the ’07 ballot because David Ortiz, Boston’s regular DH, was listed as the Red Sox first baseman. Besides the fact that Youkilis was having an exceptional season and deserved to be not only listed but elected to start, Ortiz did not belong on the ballot because the ballot did not list Designated Hitters, as the game was to be played in a national league park, where pitchers must hit for themselves.
Unlike many outspoken baseball fans, I actually like the rule that requires that each and every team has a player representative on the All-Star team. Even on the worst teams in each league, there is usually one player whose season stats stand out from those of his teammates. The All-Star Game is for everyone to watch, not just Yankee, Red Sox, and Cub fans.
O’s Notes
Jay Payton is actually the worst semi-regular player in Major League Baseball. I’m not being harsh; I’m just being honest. It is unfair to Orioles fans to have to see Payton play when they go to Camden Yards when the team has a perfectly capable left fielder in Luke Scott. Manager Dave Trembley seems to think the world will come to an end if Scott starts a game against a left-handed pitcher, but the truth is that Payton is not an upgrade at all. If Trembley wants a legit platoon partner for Scott, he should search elsewhere.
A final thought: I want to see Mike Mussina finish his career in Baltimore, where he belongs. He is not and never has been a true Yankee.
Keywords: Aaron Cook, All-Star Game, Baltimore Orioles, Dan Uggla, Dave Trembley, Highlights, Jay Payton, Mike Mussina, Snubs
