Tidbits from the All-Star Game (Live Blog)

• How cool was it to see all of those Hall of Famers on the field? I'm not much of a baseball historian, given I've only closely followed the game for a few years, and never given much thought to its past beyond the biggest of the big names. Nevertheless, seeing all of those living legends, and seeing the reverence in the All-Stars' eyes as they shook the hands of these great players, is really quite amazing. It makes me wish I could have seen more of them in their primes, and makes you wonder what a fan felt like seeing those players in action years ago. Back when there wasn't 24 hour news, and nightly SportsCenter, and tons and tons of media coverage of all aspects of sports, what was it like to see a man play that you may only have read about? Makes me wonder.
  
• Is it tougher to be a starting pitcher or a starting position player in the first inning of the All-Star Game? From tonight's game you'd surmise that the former is much tougher, as neither team is able to get the bats going early on. The old saying goes that you want to get to great pitchers early on in a game, before they settle in and get a feel for the pitches that night, but it looks to me like the adrenaline may have been a little too much for some of the starting hitters to handle.
• Was Buck and McCarver's conversation with Yogi Berra the dullest thing you've ever witnessed? I know earlier I gushed about seeing the HOFer's, and that was great, but do we really want to listen to a 70+ year old man wax nostalgic during a 0-0 game that, frankly, is rather dull to begin with?
  
• Does anyone look more smug and sure of himself at the plate and in the field than Derek Jeter? I tell ya, I never cared much for the guy, but I don't think any player in the game is more professional and more suited to the New York stage than Jeter. The man is beloved in the toughest media market in the U.S. and for good reason. Boy it pains me to say that.
  
• How devastating is it going to be for Rockies fans (such as myself) when (not if) the Rockies trade Matt Holliday? With the home run giving the NL the fifth inning lead, Holliday continues to demonstrate that he can hit any pitcher, even one throwing 97 mile per hour gas, and in any atmosphere. You can't argue that Holliday was the Rocks best hitter in the 2007 postseason, and his regular season numbers speak for themselves.
• Is FOX's radar gun juicing again? Did you see how many 95+ mile per hour pitches have been registered so far? This is ridiculous. I know these are the best of the best pitching out there, but come on. Not even the absolute best can light up the radar gun like these guys have. Something seems to be going on here.
• Could this be the year the NL pulls it off? (posted prior to the 7th inning) It seems to me that the NL may actually have the advantage in this game. While the AL has the better overall players and probably has the better bullpen depth, I think the NL has the better hitters for a game like this, guys that can hit for average and hit well situationally. The AL has more stud power hitters that tend to swing for the fences which can be tough against quality pitchers.
• What is Cory Hart doing in an All-Star game? I mean, seriously. I know, I know, he won the fan vote to get in at the last second, whatever. But you can't tell me that he's a better player than Carlos Lee (not in) or Ryan Howard (not in) or Jimmy Rollins (not in) or... Name your player. Hell, I think I'd rather have Hart's teammate Prince Fielder, all 350 pounds of him, instead of Hart. But I digress...
• Has online fan voting improved the All-Star selection process? This topic was brought up earlier in the day (I forget where) and I thought it was an intriguing question. On the plus side, fans are far more informed now than they used to be about how a player is doing this year as opposed to just riding name recognition, so hotter players are rewarded for playing well. On the other hand, though, you get situations where a player like a Ken Griffey, Jr. does not get voted in even though it would be a meaningful demonstration to an all-time great player. Meanwhile, guys like Kosuke Fukudome and Cory Hart, players with good stat lines but that really don't seem to deserve All-Star recognition, get to play in the Midsummer Classic.
• Have you ever heard a more awkward applause than when J.D. Drew hit the game-tying home run? The Red Sox players have been heavily booed throughout the game, but the fans are still clearly favoring the AL (duh) and they don't know how to react when a Sox player helps the AL. Instead of cheering or booing, it was almost like a golf or tennis applause, subtle and withdrawn.
• Did I say the New York crowd was subtle and withdrawn? Oops. So much for that idea as the Yanks fans quickly jump on Papelbon for giving up a lead-off single to the 31-going-on-34-year-old Miguel Tejada. Then when Tejada comes around to score on a sac fly following a horrible throw by Rays catcher Dioner Navarro on a steal attempt, the Yanks fans jump on Papelbawn full throat for giving up the lead. I know the Sox and Yanks hate each other, but this is some serious venom for an exhibition game, even if it does "count."
• Who the hell is Brian Wilson? No, really. Who is this guy? Giants closer? Really? Ooookay.
• Does the "This time it counts!" campaign have any impact on the game or your desire to view it? I never paid much attention to All-Star games before, in any sport, but I usually watched them (or at least have them on in the background), so I can't say that putting home field in the World Series on the line increases my interest. Frankly, I think home field should be determined by the league with the better interleague record, but I suppose that's beside the point. What do you think?
• What am I supposed to do if I have ED? I'm clueless. I haven't seen a single prescription erectile dysfunction commercial this entire time, and I'm loving it. Granted we still have had plenty of "enlarged prostate" options, but at least there are no 50-somethings sitting in bath tubs overlooking the Grand Canyon in those commercials.
• How sweet was that shot by Evan Longoria? As a fan of two NL teams, and a fan of parity in general, I'm really not happy to see the AL tie it, but still. Nice hit for the rookie, and a bit of redemption after finishing dead last in the Home Run Derby last night. Good for him.
• Have players gotten better/faster/more aggressive on the basepaths, or are catchers getting worse? With an All-Star Game record 6 stolen bases thus far (with 1 out in the top of the ninth), it looks like something is definitely up. Is it that the runners are getting great jumps and burning down the basepath, or are the catchers just not making the throws? Or maybe it's the pitchers' fault for not holding the runners on better, as I've seen very few throws over to first tonight. Hard to say, but it appears to be a trend in the regular season, as well, as stolen bases have been increasing the last few years. Maybe the lack of steroids are leading managers to try and play more small-ball instead of just sitting back and waiting for the two- or three-run homer.
• Is there any chance that FOX's "Fringe" survives more than one season? I'm leaning towards no. No good show ever gets advertised this much before it premieres.
• What in the world is the problem with Ryan Dempster's wrist? Did you see this? He flails his glove back and forth three times before each pitch. I've seen odd windups, but this one is really out there.
• Is there any other sport where a chubby, five-foot something Hispanic man could be an All-Star? Dioner Navarro doesn't think so either.
• Was there any doubt this game would go into extra innings? I guess the All-Star backups are getting a bit more work than they bargained for. Maybe we should ask Bud Selig if they can let the starters reenter the game.
• How will this turn out (posted with 1 out in the top of the 10th)? As I mentioned earlier (seems like so long ago now), the NL seems to have the advantage in starting pitching and hitters that hit for average, but in a sudden death-type situation as extra innings are, this seems to play into the AL's strengths: power hitting and bullpen arms. As much as I hate to say it, I think the AL will pull this one out.
• Is Dan Uggla the MVP for the AL in this one? Looks like it's about to be the case as he blows a 1 out, runners on the corners situation in the top of the 10th and follows with a pair of errors to start the bottom of the inning. I do not envy the poor guy and he'd better hope Cook can pull off a miracle.
• Was that Aaron Cook's best inning ever? It just might have been, as he gets FIVE ground balls, and despite Uggla's errors blanks the AL in a bases loaded, no out situation. Absolutely outstanding.
• How good was that throw by Nate McClouth? And an equally amazing play by Russell Martin at the plate to make the "tag" to prevent the game-winning run. Some close calls by the umps, but they were bang-bang plays and I think the call at the plate was right, even if the call at second earlier wasn't. To the 12th inning we go.
  
• Why FOX, why? Why can't we make it through an entire sporting event without an ED drug commercial? Official time: 11:25 central standard time.
• Remember when Matt Holliday hit that home run last week? That was cool. Oh, that was today? Wow.
• Has anybody ever wanted a grand slam more than Dan Uggla does here in the 12th? Not a chance. What a painful at-bat that ended up being. I'll say it again: poor guy.
• Am I the only one hoping for a walk-off here in the bottom of the 12th? Some of us have to go to work tomorrow...
• If the NL wins this thing, is Aaron Cook your MVP? Hard to argue with as he's handled extreme pressure and a lineup of (second tier) All-Stars beautifully over 3 innings.
• Why couldn't that ball go another five feet? Nate McClouth leads off the 14th inning with a shot to deep right field, but it comes up just short as J.D. Drew makes the catch at the track. Earlier in the 13th inning Carlos Guillen had a similar shot to lead off the inning against Aaron Cook, but that turned into a double and produced no runs when all was said and done.
• Is it time for Bud Selig to step in again? I'm not sure anyone would blame him for calling this game as we prepare for the 15th inning, tying an All-Star Game record for innings played. We passed the record for time played at about 11:30 PM and we're at 12:20 as I write this.
• Who didn't want Kinsler's shot to left to get by Ludwick? After going back then staggering to recover, Ludwick makes a nice driving grab in the bottom of the 15th to keep the game tied and Morneau at first. Shortly thereafter, Dioner Navarro belts a single and Drew has another chance to be a hero, 2 on, 1 out. I think the Yankees fans will cheer a Drew hit here, Red Sox player or not. Drew walks, Michael Young up with a chance to win it again, and Clint Hurdle is still chewing the same piece of gum.

And Young pulls it off, sac fly to right and Hart's throw is offline to Brian McCann, scoring Morneau and sealing the AL's home field advantage in the World Series. That's all for me, because it's freaking late. I hope you enjoyed reading this, good night.