With all the folklore and hype surrounding Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, the American League (-150) should do the homefield crowd proud. But this may be a rare case where the means do not justify the outcome.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona is using his AL managerial power to make some statements.
His first target was the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston and Tampa have had a heated history for the last few years now. This was most recently on display during the Coco Crisp-James Shields- Jonny Gomes fiasco back in June. Francona has responded by overlooking Rays manager Joe Maddon, sporting the leagues best record at the time, for his coaching staff. He then left Rays rookie phenom Evan Longoria off the team, in favor of Jason Varitek. This left the fans to get Longoria in the game, which they did.
If Francona uses the argument that he needed a third catcher, that doesn’t fly either. A.J. Pierzynski (.287 7 HRs, 21 doubles) is much more deserving than Varitek (.218, 7 HRs, 14 doubles). So Terry is flexing some authorative muscle. Which is fine. He has earned that right.
Just by pure numbers, Francona now has the stage set to have one of his players enter the game late, and possibly deliver a winning hit. The hometown Yankees fans wouldn’t even know how to react. Sure, the American League may have just won the game, possibly giving their beloved Yankees homefield advantage should they make the World Series. But at what price? Jason Varitek? J.D. Drew??? Ouch. Francona wins again.
I’m completely convinced that this scenario is on Francona’s agenda. So keep an eye on it.
With that conspiracy theory on the table, here are a few random thoughts on some of the other players.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Milton Bradley (DH) – I like Milton. It is good to see him and his three Rangers teammates make the All-Star game. I hear they are calling them the Four Tops this year. I was thinking that The Fantastic Four would be better. Bradley could be The Thing because with this guy, you never know when “It’s clobberin time!!”
Ian Kinsler (2B) – Kinsler would be Mr. Fantastic because that is what he is. He should be starting over Dustin Pedroia. Just a marvelous player to watch offensively. His average with runners in scoring position is higher than some guys free throw percentage.
Josh Hamilton (OF) – Josh would be the Human Torch because just years ago you could find him torching up in a crack house near you. I’m very happy for his turnaround. I’m afraid his arms may be exhausted after all the monster home runs he hit last night. Holy cow!
Michael Young (SS) – Young would be Invisible Woman. No reason in particular, but just like Buscemi in ‘Reservoir Dogs’, someone had to be Mr. Pink!!
Alex Rodriguez (3B) – Strike a pose.
Kevin Youklis (1B) – If Youk and Jason Giambi could come together and donate their facial hair to charity, this world would be a better place.
Manny Ramirez (OF) – I fully expect Manny to do some damage early in the game. THE RED SOX VS THE NATIONAL LEAGUE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
Dioner Navarro (C) – This guy looked terrible last year. What a turnaround. Even Francona had to recognize his great year.
Carlos Guillen (3B) – In the preseason you would’ve expected about 10 Tigers in this game. Baseball is a funny game.
Evan Longoria (3B) – Perhaps with a little make-up, the NY fans will never know the difference.
Mariano Rivera (P) – If there is to be a hometown hero for the Yanks, this is it. After all these years, Rivera is still simply amazing. I could see him striking out the side in a save situation. Francona wouldn’t be such a jerk to put in Papelbon for the save. Would he?
Joakim Soria (P) – Because there HAD to be a player from every team, right? Can we make an exception for Kansas City? No?
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Geovany Soto (C) – I grew up with a good friend named Soto. He pretty much stunk at all things athletic. So it’s good to see Geovany serve the name a little better.
Chipper Jones (3B) – True story: About six or seven years ago I almost got into a fight at a bar with some guy who tried to intimidate me by telling me that he was Chipper Jones’ brother. I don’t know if he was telling the truth or not, but I really wasn’t impressed. Calmer heads prevailed and that was that. But I have to be honest. If I was about to get in a fight with Chipper Jones’ brother today…I would be a little scared. What an amazing year this guy is having.
Hanley Ramirez (SS) – The most exciting player in this game as far as I’m concerned. I think the country will be impressed with what they see.
Matt Holliday (OF) – During last years Home Run Derby, someone had the bright idea to mic up the Colorado slugger. Matt promptly let two F-bombs fly while batting. I hope they put a mic on him again for this game. Speaking of F-bombs….
Kosuke Fukudome (OF) – Has there been a funner name in the history of sports to watch the announcers sweat everytime he comes to bat? I think not.
Russell Martin (C) – Because there HAD to be a player from every team, right? Can we make an exception for the Dodgers? No?
Chase Utley (2B) – Did anyone else see his face every time he would miss a home run in the Derby last night? Anyone named after a verb is probably not someone that you would like to hang out with.
Carlos Zambrano (P) – I’m really hoping the game goes 15 innings and the Big Z has to pinch hit. That will probably be the NL’s best chance.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona is using his AL managerial power to make some statements.
His first target was the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston and Tampa have had a heated history for the last few years now. This was most recently on display during the Coco Crisp-James Shields- Jonny Gomes fiasco back in June. Francona has responded by overlooking Rays manager Joe Maddon, sporting the leagues best record at the time, for his coaching staff. He then left Rays rookie phenom Evan Longoria off the team, in favor of Jason Varitek. This left the fans to get Longoria in the game, which they did.
If Francona uses the argument that he needed a third catcher, that doesn’t fly either. A.J. Pierzynski (.287 7 HRs, 21 doubles) is much more deserving than Varitek (.218, 7 HRs, 14 doubles). So Terry is flexing some authorative muscle. Which is fine. He has earned that right.
Just by pure numbers, Francona now has the stage set to have one of his players enter the game late, and possibly deliver a winning hit. The hometown Yankees fans wouldn’t even know how to react. Sure, the American League may have just won the game, possibly giving their beloved Yankees homefield advantage should they make the World Series. But at what price? Jason Varitek? J.D. Drew??? Ouch. Francona wins again.
I’m completely convinced that this scenario is on Francona’s agenda. So keep an eye on it.
With that conspiracy theory on the table, here are a few random thoughts on some of the other players.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Milton Bradley (DH) – I like Milton. It is good to see him and his three Rangers teammates make the All-Star game. I hear they are calling them the Four Tops this year. I was thinking that The Fantastic Four would be better. Bradley could be The Thing because with this guy, you never know when “It’s clobberin time!!”
Ian Kinsler (2B) – Kinsler would be Mr. Fantastic because that is what he is. He should be starting over Dustin Pedroia. Just a marvelous player to watch offensively. His average with runners in scoring position is higher than some guys free throw percentage.
Josh Hamilton (OF) – Josh would be the Human Torch because just years ago you could find him torching up in a crack house near you. I’m very happy for his turnaround. I’m afraid his arms may be exhausted after all the monster home runs he hit last night. Holy cow!
Michael Young (SS) – Young would be Invisible Woman. No reason in particular, but just like Buscemi in ‘Reservoir Dogs’, someone had to be Mr. Pink!!
Alex Rodriguez (3B) – Strike a pose.
Kevin Youklis (1B) – If Youk and Jason Giambi could come together and donate their facial hair to charity, this world would be a better place.
Manny Ramirez (OF) – I fully expect Manny to do some damage early in the game. THE RED SOX VS THE NATIONAL LEAGUE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
Dioner Navarro (C) – This guy looked terrible last year. What a turnaround. Even Francona had to recognize his great year.
Carlos Guillen (3B) – In the preseason you would’ve expected about 10 Tigers in this game. Baseball is a funny game.
Evan Longoria (3B) – Perhaps with a little make-up, the NY fans will never know the difference.
Mariano Rivera (P) – If there is to be a hometown hero for the Yanks, this is it. After all these years, Rivera is still simply amazing. I could see him striking out the side in a save situation. Francona wouldn’t be such a jerk to put in Papelbon for the save. Would he?
Joakim Soria (P) – Because there HAD to be a player from every team, right? Can we make an exception for Kansas City? No?
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Geovany Soto (C) – I grew up with a good friend named Soto. He pretty much stunk at all things athletic. So it’s good to see Geovany serve the name a little better.
Chipper Jones (3B) – True story: About six or seven years ago I almost got into a fight at a bar with some guy who tried to intimidate me by telling me that he was Chipper Jones’ brother. I don’t know if he was telling the truth or not, but I really wasn’t impressed. Calmer heads prevailed and that was that. But I have to be honest. If I was about to get in a fight with Chipper Jones’ brother today…I would be a little scared. What an amazing year this guy is having.
Hanley Ramirez (SS) – The most exciting player in this game as far as I’m concerned. I think the country will be impressed with what they see.
Matt Holliday (OF) – During last years Home Run Derby, someone had the bright idea to mic up the Colorado slugger. Matt promptly let two F-bombs fly while batting. I hope they put a mic on him again for this game. Speaking of F-bombs….
Kosuke Fukudome (OF) – Has there been a funner name in the history of sports to watch the announcers sweat everytime he comes to bat? I think not.
Russell Martin (C) – Because there HAD to be a player from every team, right? Can we make an exception for the Dodgers? No?
Chase Utley (2B) – Did anyone else see his face every time he would miss a home run in the Derby last night? Anyone named after a verb is probably not someone that you would like to hang out with.
Carlos Zambrano (P) – I’m really hoping the game goes 15 innings and the Big Z has to pinch hit. That will probably be the NL’s best chance.