Tag Archives: All-Star Game

Throwback Thursday: That Time AMF Was In Deadspin

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Once upon a time, on the annual slow sports period that’s the day after MLB’s All-Star Game, a post I wrote for Aaron Miles’ Fastball was featured on Deadspin.

It was on July 17, 2013, following Mariano Rivera’s final appearance as an All-Star the night before. To refresh your memory of what that had been like, check out the video here — and perhaps you’ll have the same reaction I did: Edward Mujica was an All-Star? Totally forgot that little tidbit …

Anyway, having watched the All-Star Game, the next day I’d been thinking about the time my Yankees fan friend Kat and I went to St. Louis to see two of the three games between our teams in June 2005. And because we went to Saturday and Sunday’s games early to watch the Yankees’ batting practice, we saw a group of relievers huddled together in left field both days and, led by Mo, realized just what their discussions were about. Thus, “The Tale Of Mariano Rivera And The Ball Thrown Out Of Busch Stadium.”

And, a little while later, this.

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Obviously, very cool — and resulted in a tremendous amount of traffic to AMF, though it’s only the second-most popular post in AMF history.

You can search Deadspin and still find it there, and it’s awesome that Kat’s photo lives on in the Deadspin archives. However, the link there to the post does not work since the demise of Aerys Sports, but is still available here.

Ah, memories … which might just be the same thing Tanyon Sturtze (second from the right in Kat’s photo) is thinking as well when he remembers his Yankees career.

 

MLB Has A Very Important Third Base Question For Us

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Sure, the 2015 Major League Baseball season only began four weeks ago today. And, yes, it’s still more than two months until the All-Star Game in Cincinnati.

No matter. It’s time to start voting for the All-Stars! And apparently, there’s some question as to which third baseman who plays in the National League Central is worthy — excuse me, #ASGWorthy — of spending his break in Cincinnati, as MLB tweeted this yesterday afternoon.

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Really? There actually would be some type of debate on this?

Let’s see. One of those NL Central third baseman currently leads the majors in doubles with 14, is tied for the lead in extra-base hits with 18, is second in the NL with 34 hits including a triple and a homer, and overall is batting .366/.434/.634. Oh, he also drove in the game-winning run in the 11th inning yesterday as the Cards beat the Pirates 2-1 for the second straight game. 

The other is not bad by any means, hitting .280/.429/.360. He has 14 hits total, and has played 14 games, plus has four 4 doubles and 10 RBI. Among NL third baseman, he is second in one category: strikeouts, with 18. (The player above has 13 in 23 total games.)

But, of course, this second candidate is on the Cubs! He’s the bestest prospect in the history of ever — or at least since Bryce Harper! (And the most over-hyped!) Again, he’s on the Cubs! And the Cubs are good this year! (Their Twitter account even tells us so on occasion!!!) Plus he has those blue eyes that match his Cubbie uniforim and he’s SO good looking!!! (Wish I could remember right now what sportswriter I read during spring training gushing over his looks — male sportswriter, by the way.) Everyone loves KRIS BRYANT!!!

Except most Cardinals fans.

And, on May 3, KRIS BRYANT!!! is not the NL Central’s most #ASGWorthy third baseman. Not by a long shot (which, remember, he still doesn’t have yet).

The only choice this ridiculously early for third baseman for the National League All-Star team is, obviously, Matt Carpenter — you remember, MLB, the guy who finished fourth in MVP voting in 2013 and has been ridiculously good these first four weeks of the season.

And, with all your hyperventilating over KRIS BRYANT!!! since spring training, MLB, at least you were kind enough to include Matt in the question.

Sometimes, The Greatest Moments Are Unscripted

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Ah, the 2014 All-Star Game … also know as Derek Jeter Tribute Night.

I’m not going to join in the fray over what Adam Wainwright said or did — frankly, I’d rather dedicate this song to Adam Wainwright instead — although I do want to talk about Derek Jeter’s first at-bat against him.

Ah, Derek Jeter in Cardinal red ...

Look, it’s Derek Jeter in Cardinal red!

Yes, it was all choreographed to perfection beginning with the “RE2PECT” commercial running on FOX once the top of the first inning ended. Then, at Target Field, having the introduction of Jeter by the late Bob Sheppard was a wonderful touch. The standing ovation from the fans, the tipping of his helmet to the crowd, the requisite camera shots of Jeter’s parents in the stands, the applause by the all the National League starters on the field, the silence on the FOX broadcast so we could all absorb the moment, even the chance to hear Jeter telling Jonathan Lucroy “have a good one and congratulations to you, all right?” as the crowd begins to chant “Der-ek Je-ter” — top notch, of course, because that’s the way it was all supposed to be.

The first pitch from Wainwright, still silence from Joe Buck and the crew, the crowd settles down. Another requisite shot of Jeter’s family and then, through the silence, one man’s voice rings out …

“Over-rated.”

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Flashback Friday: Ted Simmons at the 1978 All-Star Game

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With voting continuing in the St. Louis Cardinals 2014 Hall of Fame class, it’s the perfect time to take a look at one of the nominees: Ted Simmons.

ted-simmons-battingHe was a Cardinal from 1968 to 1980, making his major league debut at age 19. He was a six-time All-Star in his Cardinals days and started at catcher for the National League in 1978 — which you can see a clip of below.

In 1975, Simmons set the National League record for hits by a catcher with 188. He posted six seasons of 20 or more home runs and 10 consecutive seasons from 1971-80 with 75 or more RBI. His 172 home runs rank ninth and 929 RBI are seventh all-time in Cardinals franchise history.

Oh, and he inspired the name of a fantastic Cardinals history blog, RetroSimba. (If you don’t regularly read Mark Tomasik’s work, you should — you will learn much.)

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Cardinals Lead National League With 5 All-Stars

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Nearly all your All-Star Game online voting paid off, thankfully. Yadier Molina received the most votes in the National League as he was elected the starting catching and Carlos Beltran received the most votes of any outfielder.

ASGAnd, though he didn’t quite catch that loudmouth from Cincinnati in the fan vote, Matt Carpenter was chosen by his peers — as was Adam Wainwright. And All-Star Game and Giants manager Bruce Bochy selected Allen Craig.

All of which adds up to five All-Stars for the Cards, the most of any team in the National League and the third time in the last four years they’ve had at least five All-Stars, according to Jenifer Langosch at Cardinals.com.

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