AL WINS ALL-STAR GAME, JD WINS MVP

It took nearly 5 hours and 15 innings to decide, but the 2008 All-Star Game was won by the AL 4-3. Michael Young ended the game with a 1 out bases loaded sac-fly.

JD Drew was the stand out among the Boston representation. He was 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer, a walk, and a stolen base.



Manny was 0 for 2, Youkilis was 0 for 2, Pedroia was 0 for 1 with a walk. Varitek played, but didn't have an at-bat.

Papelbon pitched in the 8th inning. He allowed an unearned run thanks to Dioner Nivarro's errant throw. Not surprisingly, the scum gathered at Yankee Stadium blamed Papelbon. More on the way the Yankees, their fans, and their media behaved these last few days in a later post.



Sidenote: How awesome were the smirks sported by the Sox players during introductions?

When Young belted that sac-fly in the 15th, the game was quickly approaching the T word. Some things Major League Baseball might consider in order to avoid future scares:

1. If a team doesn't want a pitcher to pitch in the All-Star Game, he shouldn't take up a roster spot. Both Scott Kazmir and Brandon Webb were "emergency" pitchers tonight. Had the game gone to 16 or 17 innings, there's no way Kazmir could have continued. So why not let these unavailable pitchers go to the game, dress, get introduced, but not be on the official roster, just as if they were injured?

2. MLB needs to come up with some sort of Doomsday Emergency Plan for All-Star Games. My proposal would be to select two starting pitchers from the Futures Game. If either team exhausts its pitching staff, BOTH teams will have to bring in the minor league pitchers. Also, after the 12th inning, position players should be allowed to return in case of injury (catchers already can return in such an instance).

Tim McCarver WTF Moments
Introducing a new feature on Boston Blood Sox. Every Sox game on Fox is made funnier/annoying by Tim McCarver and Joe Buck. Now you can relive those awkward, stupid, and ridiculous comments.

After Milton Bradley had the second AL stolen base of the night:

"Milton Bradley has the first AL stolen base of the night."

In the bottom of the 6th, Timmy observed how Josh Hamilton and Edinson Volquez might win the AL MVP and NL Cy Young, respectively. He stated that it "Could very readily happen." I think he needs to learn how to use the word "readily."

It wasn't all bad from McCarver. When the Bronx Scum were chanting "Overrated" to Papelbon (how hilariously ironic is it that Yankee fans were calling someone overrated?). McCarver said of Papelbon "If you think I'm overrated, get a bat."

Yogi Berra was telling McCarver and Buck a story, and mentioned the inconsequential detail that he was in a museum. McCarver interrupted:

"That museum is in Montclair, New Jersey. One of the best museums in the area."

Even Yogi was speechless.

The funniest McCarver Moment came right before the game. McCarver blew my mind with this tie-in:

"From a personal health standpoint, everyone knows you have to have a strong core. And that's what the National League has."

Mind-numbing.

Joe Buck WTF Moments:
Joe Buck's annoying tendency is to overrate everything and everybody. Nothing is ever average or ordinary in Joe Buck's eyes.

When Derek Jeter came up in the 1st, Buck busted out his lovable old chestnut: Since coming into the League, Jeter has done nothing but win." You could say fawning crap like that 7 or 8 years ago, not any more.

In the 10th, Buck was talking about Yankee Stadium, when he made a ludicrous comparison: "The Stadium, which has been like our Colosseum..."



WOW! The Coliseum was the center of Rome's propaganda machine. It was where thousands of people were killed for the entertainment of others. When it was built it was the most impressive structure IN THE WORLD. Yankee Stadium is a ballpark! It's not a cathedral, or a holy place, or the friggin Colosseum! It's a place where baseball is played! That's it.

Finally, the Yankee love fest will simmer down a bit. And how cool is it that a Boston Red Sock won the All-Star Game MVP in Yankee Stadium?

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

PAPELBON VS. THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Whatever happened to journalistic responsibility? And whatever happened to the notion that print media was more reliable than blogs because of said responsibility?

The latest irresponsible and sensationalistic sportswriter to join the John Tomase club is Mark Feins of the New York Daily News, who wrongfully claims that Jonathan Papelbon said he should be the one to close the All-Star Game, not Mariano Rivera. Feins blatantly ignored contrary statements Papelbon made. Statements like this one:

"Mariano Rivera will be closing the 2008 All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium. I'm making a statement right now, saying I don't want it, I want him to have it. I said all that earlier, but that's the way I feel about it."

Why ignore this? Because Papelbon had also said this:

"If I was managing the team, I would close. I'm not managing the team, so it don't matter."

And from that bland, incorrectly grammared statement, Mark Feins the New York Daily News were able to extrapolate a lengthy column, as well as a cover.



It's just a frigging shame. Terry Francona and the other Red Sox have spent the last few days in the Bronx being respectful, and heaping praise and respect on the Yankees. Francona placed Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez in their normal spots in the AL lineup. Ortiz didn't blow off the festivities to stay at home and rehab his wrist. In fact, Big Papi was more of a presence at last night's HR Derby than Alex Rodriguez.

And how does New York treat them? By greedily demanding Mariano Rivera START the All-Star Game. And by publishing this slanderous nonsense.

Remember the 1999 All-Star Game? Remember when Joe Torre was CHEERED by the Fenway crowd? I guess that kind of class and respect is just too much for some New Yorkers to achieve.

Papelbon was pissed about the Daily News story.

“It just kind of (ticks) me off because if that gets (expletive) written and I’m riding in a (expletive) parade today with my wife (Ashley), so she doesn’t feel safe because some (expletive) from the Daily News says I want to close the game and that ain’t true...That was an easy headline for that (expletive) to say, ‘Yeah, Papelbon wants to close.’ Of course I do, that’s my competitive nature. But I’m stepping away and saying I don’t need to close.”

See, Mister Feins, unlike Alex Rodriguez, Papelbon is a competitive guy who always wants the ball. If Francona asked him to start, he would. If he asks him to pitch to one batter in the top of the 6th, he would. If he asks him to close, he would. He's not going to say "Coach, I really think Mo should be closing."

Mark Feins is just another sportswriter in an ever lengthening line of so-called journalists who publish before they think. And this story is another sad example of just how pathetically desperate the Yankees and their fans are to trash the Red Sox.

Sources:
Boston.com's Extra Bases
Boston Herald
NY Daily News

YANKEE CELEBRITIES THAT SUCK

Since the baseball world's eyes are focused on Yankee Stadium today, I figured I should let my Yankee hatred spew freely. I'm not going to badmouth Derek Jeter for being a mediocre defensive short-stop, or Alex Rodriguez for canoodling with an old singer whose slept with half the NBA, or Jason Giambi's silly attempt to look like Ron Jeremy.

Instead, I'm going to direct my attention to Yankee fans. Famous Yankee fans. For the record, I hate most celebrity "fans" because they're not really fans, and they simply take up space at the ballpark. Ben Affleck, that's you.

Adam Sandler:

Not only is he painfully annoying, he's a confused fan. He likes the Bruins AND the Yankees. See, Sandler was born in Brooklyn, then moved to New Hampshire when he was 5. He turned 5 in 1971. Bruins fans know what happened in the 71-72 season: they won the Cup. Sandler is nothing but a front running, bandwagoning, pink hat. And his only funny movies these days are the ones in which he's trying to be a serious actor.

Jack Nicholson:

Speaking of frontrunners, Laker loving Jack Nicholson is a big Yankee fan. But at least he was born in New York, and the Lakers are his adopted team. Nicholson is such a big bad Yankee fan, that he refused to wear a Red Sox hat in The Departed. It's too bad the Knicks weren't good enough to earn that kind of loyalty from him, or the Dodgers. Pick a city, Jack.

Michael Bloomberg:

Did you know that New York's Mayor is from Boston? He was born in Brighton, then moved to Allston, then to Brookline, then to Medford. When running for Mayor, he was asked if he was a Mets fan or a Yankee fan. His only answer was "Well, I'm from Boston, so..." But apparently it's more politically prudent to be a Yankees fan in New York, because that's what Bloomberg presents himself as in public.

Billy Crystal:

Did you know Billy Crystal is a Yankees fan? I know, it's a bit of an obscure fact that took me hours of research to find out. End sarcasm. Every Yankee game on Fox or ESPN will have a shot of Crystal sitting in the front row. Unlike others on this list, he's a real fan. But I can't stand to hear the words "Mickey Mantle" come out of his mouth, and see his face light up as he reminisces about that dead alcoholic. And can we put a limit on how many times someone is allowed to host the Oscars?

Fred Durst:

Unfortunately, Fred Durst is still alive. Why is it that great artists like John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, and Bradley Nowell die so young, and crappy ones get to live forever? I don't know if Durst is an actual Yankee fan. But the Jacksonville native was one of many late 90's punks who made it "cool" to wear Yankees hats and apparel, even if one wasn't a fan.

So there you have it, the 5 suckiest Yankee celebrities. Spike Lee didn't make this list because he's cool as hell. And any Yankee fan out there thinking of alluding to Ben Affleck, or other douchebag Sox celebs, I have two words for you: Maria Menounos.



Photo Credit:
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

JOSE CANSECO LASTS 97 SECONDS IN BOXING MATCH

Jose Canseco fought Vai Sikahema, a former Philadelphia Eagle and amateur boxer, in a celebrity match in Atlantic City. Jose didn't even make it out of the first round before the referee stopped the fight. Sikahema is 7 inches shorter and 45 pounds lighter than Canseco, but he still thrashed him. Sikahema summed up Canseco beautifully after the fight:

"He's a very impressive-looking guy. But the guy is a walking corpse, because he's rotted inside out. He's a pathetic figure."



Source:
NY Daily News

ALL-STAR STARTING LINEUPS

American League:
1. RF Ichiro Suzuki - SEA
2. SS Derek Jeter - NYY
3. CF Josh Hamilton - TEX
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez - NYY
5. LF Manny Ramirez - BOS
6. DH Milton Bradley - TEX
7. 1B Kevin Youkilis - BOS
8. C Joe Mauer - MIN
9. 2B Dustin Pedroia - BOS

And on the mound, Cliff Lee of the Indians. Thank you Terry Francona for being sane and not starting Mariano Rivera, like some fools in New York wanted you to.

National League:
1. SS Hanley Ramirez - FLA
2. 2B Chase Utley - PHI
3. 1B Lance Berkman - HOU
4. DH Albert Pujols - STL
5. 3B Chipper Jones - ATL
6. RF Matt Holliday - COL
7. LF Ryan Braun - MIL
8. RF Kosuke Fukodome - CHC
9. C Geovany Soto - CHC

SP: Ben Sheets, Milwaukee.

Source:
WBZTV.com

FINALLY, A REASON TO HATE BEN ROETHLISBERGER

I've never liked Big Ben. But I've never hated him, at least not directly. I've hated the buzz that surrounds him. I've hated people calling him a quarterback when he threw the ball 12 times a game. I've hated how he has a Super Bowl ring thanks to the Colts beating the Patriots earlier in the playoffs. And it doesn't help him much that I despise the Steelers.

But then I heard what he said about Brett Favre:

“Brett Favre is one of the best to play, he can do whatever he wants. It’s something that when you have the best quarterback, he makes a decision to do what he feels he needs to do, and I’m sure (the Green Bay Packers) need to stick by whatever (the decision is).”

No, Ben, he can't do whatever he wants. No player, no matter how good, is bigger than a team. Especially in football. The team makes decisions, and the players have to abide by them. I have nothing but respect for how the Green Bay Packers are handling the mess Brett Favre has put them in. They're in charge, not Brett.

This type of "I can do what I want" mentality is probably what convinced Ben that riding a motorcycle without a license or a helmet is a good idea.



It's official, Mr. Roethlisberger. I now hate you.

Source:
Scout.com

SOX PROSPECT WINS FUTURES GAME MVP

19 year old outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin has been part of the Red Sox organization for little over a year, but he's already hitting homeruns out of Yankee Stadium. The Taiwanese prospect belted a 2 run homer that helped give the World team a 3-0 win in the All-Star Future's Game yesterday. Lin finished his day 2 for 2 and was named MVP of the game. He was booed by the Yankee Stadium crowd when he was at the plate.

Lin was the only representative of the Red Sox (and Taiwan) on either team. He was signed as an international free agent last June and is currently playing in A Greenville.

Source:
MLB.com
SoxProspects.com

Photo Credit:
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

SOX BACK WHERE THEY BELONG... FIRST PLACE

Daisuke Matsuzaka's 10th win propelled the Red Sox back into first place yesterday afternoon.

It seems as though Daisuke may have figured out how to be a successful pitcher in America. He just walks everybody. Last year he only walked 80 batters. In half as many starts so far in '08, he's already issued 57 free passes. It's counter-intuitive, but the walks seem to be helping. He's given up far fewer hits (opponents hitting .220 this season compared to .246 last season), and more importantly: fewer extra base hits. Last year, he allowed a .405 slugging percentage, this year it's .339. He yielded 25 homers in 2007, he's on pace to allow 10 in '08.

How can walks help a pitcher do better? Well, that old expression about walks being as good as hits isn't exactly true. A walk is not as good as a double. And two walks in a row aren't the same as two singles in a row.

But there's been a problem, and the walks are a direct cause of it. He doesn't go deep into games. He's only made three starts of 7+ innings this year. And only 7 of his 17 starts have seen him pitch 6+ innings. He's averaging 5.5 innings per start. And with this team's bullpen, that can cause massive problems.

Daisuke leaving early nearly caused some problems yesterday. Hideki Okajima relieved Daisuke in the 7th and struggled mightily. He faced 4 batters. Two of them walked. He threw 17 pitches, only 5 for strikes. Thankfully Delcarmen bailed him out of the jam.

Youkilis left the game in the 6th with a "left tricep contusion." He was hit by a pitch. He's not expected to miss any time with the Sox.

Sources:
ESPN.com
The Spoorting News

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer