ASG gaining momentum.

CMH · 07-11-2007, 02:45 PM

Recent comments by Ivan Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez have me believing that at least some players enjoy beating down on each other (especially the American Leaguers).

When you win 10 years in a row, it's because you give a better performance on the field,'' Ivan Rodriguez said.

"The numbers don't lie,'' Magglio Ordonez added.

It seems to me that these guys like knowing that they have a clear dominance over the National League in the past 10 years.

I won't even ask, I'm just going to say it. I believe that the recent dominance/streak of the AL over the NL in the All-Star Game will bring more life to the exhibition.

The game is still unimportant but I guarentee that no one in the NL enjoys losing. Just ask Pujols.

phenom · 07-11-2007, 02:57 PM

Something I found interesting last night was the Chuck Hernandez visiting the mound in the 9th. You never see a pitching coach in an all-star game.

mikev · 07-11-2007, 03:08 PM

That's funny because Pudge won the World Series with a National League team within the last 10 years, and he wasn't an AS that year.

AnotherAlias · 07-11-2007, 03:11 PM

Yeah, a boring, seemingly dull exhibition game appears to be important enough that a rivalry might heat up between the leagues. Wars of words might turn into some decent, hard fought All-Star Games. On second thought, maybe not. Especially, when the manager shoots himself in the foot not wanting to pull the pinch-hitter trigger in a key spot, with two outs in the ninth.

CMH · 07-11-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikev

That's funny because Pudge won the World Series with a National League team within the last 10 years, and he wasn't an AS that year.

Pudge's comments were safe, though.

He made the point that not losing in 10 years means you played better as a unit than the other side.

And if Ivan didn't even play for the NL All-Stars the one season he was in Florida then I'm sure he doesn't care about playing for that side. Ivan is an American Leaguer and I think he feels that way.

darkhorse · 07-11-2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikev

That's funny because Pudge won the World Series with a National League team within the last 10 years, and he wasn't an AS that year.

I wonder who was selected ahead of him as Pudge had an excellent season with the Marlins?

darkhorse · 07-11-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse

I wonder who was selected ahead of him as Pudge had an excellent season with the Marlins?

I looked it up at BB Ref. Javy Lopez was the starter, deservedly, and Paul Lo Duca was the backup, a lousy choice over Pudge.

CMH · 07-11-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherAlias

Yeah, a boring, seemingly dull exhibition game appears to be important enough that a rivalry might heat up between the leagues. Wars of words might turn into some decent, hard fought All-Star Games. On second thought, maybe not. Especially, when the manager shoots himself in the foot not wanting to pull the pinch-hitter trigger in a key spot, with two outs in the ninth.

There is no other way to make the game interesting unless the players find a reason.

Since it's more likely that All-Stars will stay with their respective teams over a longer period of time in their careers (especially now that teams are doing better financially and looking to lock up their young all-stars early) the same guys will be playing in the AL vs. the NL.

Looking at some of the guys on the NL roster...Pujols, Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Fielder, Martin, Utley, Peavy, D. Lee, F. Sanchez, Holliday, Soriano, JJ Hardy, Hamels, Oswalt, Penny, Sheets, and Webb are guys that I think you'll see in several All-Star Games AND guys that play for teams that either have them locked up for quite awhile or have the financial ability to make it happen.

I wouldn't be surprised if they take pride in finally beating the AL or just plain hate the fact that they continue losing to them.

CMH · 07-11-2007, 03:43 PM

Another thing I want to note is the pure joy I get from watching All-Stars coexist with each other in the dugout.

I wouldn't exactly put Young and D. Lee on that list but having Young throw to Lee on pickoff attempts is refreashing in some ways. They understand they are teammates for the night and respect that.

It's also great watching guys talk to each other in the dugouts and have a good time.

I respect Leyland's comments about Placido Polanco. He said that if he wasn't Polanco's manager then he wouldn't play him. Always good to hear managers respecting other teams despite having enough opportunity to ruin a rival team by hurting a star.

phenom · 07-11-2007, 03:46 PM

He still should've let JJ Putz throw about 8 innings though.

CMH · 07-11-2007, 03:48 PM

Was Putz nursing an injury?

phenom · 07-11-2007, 03:51 PM

Who cares?

<--- Tiger fan anticipating for the post-ASG trip to Seattle

CMH · 07-11-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenom

Who cares?

<--- Tiger fan anticipating for the post-ASG trip to Seattle

ah, ok. I knew you were a Tiger fan but I didn't understand why having Putz hurt/tired would matter in your division. It makes sense now.

mikev · 07-11-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YankeePride

I respect Leyland's comments about Placido Polanco. He said that if he wasn't Polanco's manager then he wouldn't play him. Always good to hear managers respecting other teams despite having enough opportunity to ruin a rival team by hurting a star.

Yeah, it's just too bad that since Polanco was hurt and couldn't move he couldn't get to Griffey's grounder in the first and Haren was charged with an earned run. :footstompingsmilie:

Dagrims · 07-11-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse

I looked it up at BB Ref. Javy Lopez was the starter, deservedly, and Paul Lo Duca was the backup, a lousy choice over Pudge.

Yes, particularly since Rodriguez had clearly better stats at the halfway point of the season, and a ridiculously good June (although not as good as Javy's), so it should have been fresh in the minds of the selection committee (whoever that was in 2003).

CMH · 07-12-2007, 08:34 AM

Ratings are in and it's a 10% drop.

I don't expect fans to care about the All-Star Game the way the players could if they wanted to.

Though, I'm surprised the MLB All-Star Game doesn't draw strong tv ratings. It's far more competitive and interesting than the NFL or NBA All-Star Games. Those two are lower than exhibition. I'd call them street ball. The NHL is good though it tends to have really high scores.

07-11-2007, 02:45 PM	#1
CMH Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,057	ASG gaining momentum. Recent comments by Ivan Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez have me believing that at least some players enjoy beating down on each other (especially the American Leaguers). When you win 10 years in a row, it's because you give a better performance on the field,'' Ivan Rodriguez said. "The numbers don't lie,'' Magglio Ordonez added. It seems to me that these guys like knowing that they have a clear dominance over the National League in the past 10 years. I won't even ask, I'm just going to say it. I believe that the recent dominance/streak of the AL over the NL in the All-Star Game will bring more life to the exhibition. The game is still unimportant but I guarentee that no one in the NL enjoys losing. Just ask Pujols.

07-11-2007, 02:57 PM	#2
phenom Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Near the Great Wall. On the GOOD side. Posts: 3,774	Something I found interesting last night was the Chuck Hernandez visiting the mound in the 9th. You never see a pitching coach in an all-star game. __________________ reported

07-11-2007, 03:08 PM	#3
mikev Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 4,014	That's funny because Pudge won the World Series with a National League team within the last 10 years, and he wasn't an AS that year. __________________ Global Unified Baseball Association - Vice Commish and Oakland Oaks GM

07-11-2007, 03:46 PM	#10
phenom Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Near the Great Wall. On the GOOD side. Posts: 3,774	He still should've let JJ Putz throw about 8 innings though. __________________ reported

07-11-2007, 03:51 PM	#12
phenom Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Near the Great Wall. On the GOOD side. Posts: 3,774	Who cares? <--- Tiger fan anticipating for the post-ASG trip to Seattle __________________ reported

07-11-2007, 03:11 PM	#4
AnotherAlias Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I'm back...for now Posts: 4,190	Yeah, a boring, seemingly dull exhibition game appears to be important enough that a rivalry might heat up between the leagues. Wars of words might turn into some decent, hard fought All-Star Games. On second thought, maybe not. Especially, when the manager shoots himself in the foot not wanting to pull the pinch-hitter trigger in a key spot, with two outs in the ninth.

07-11-2007, 03:43 PM	#9
CMH Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,057	Another thing I want to note is the pure joy I get from watching All-Stars coexist with each other in the dugout. I wouldn't exactly put Young and D. Lee on that list but having Young throw to Lee on pickoff attempts is refreashing in some ways. They understand they are teammates for the night and respect that. It's also great watching guys talk to each other in the dugouts and have a good time. I respect Leyland's comments about Placido Polanco. He said that if he wasn't Polanco's manager then he wouldn't play him. Always good to hear managers respecting other teams despite having enough opportunity to ruin a rival team by hurting a star.

07-11-2007, 03:48 PM	#11
CMH Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,057	Was Putz nursing an injury?

07-12-2007, 08:34 AM	#16
CMH Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,057	Ratings are in and it's a 10% drop. I don't expect fans to care about the All-Star Game the way the players could if they wanted to. Though, I'm surprised the MLB All-Star Game doesn't draw strong tv ratings. It's far more competitive and interesting than the NFL or NBA All-Star Games. Those two are lower than exhibition. I'd call them street ball. The NHL is good though it tends to have really high scores.