I think there was a list of Dodger pitchers who'd started the All Star Game in the LAT yesterday. I was startled to see that Koufax had only started once, particularly when you consider that for a few of the years he was active there were two All Star Games.

Here's the list:
Brad Penny will become the 10th pitcher in Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers history to start in an All-Star game

(* two games were played from 1959 to 1962):

Brad Penny: 2006

Hideo Nomo: 1995

Fernando Valenzuela: 1981

Don Sutton: 1977

Andy Messersmith: 1974

Don Drysdale: 1959, '62, '64, '68

Sandy Koufax: 1966

Johnny Podres*: 1962

Ralph Branca: 1948

Whit Wyatt: 1941

Well, OK. It wasn't till 1962 that he started showing what he could do, so there was only one AS Game per year during that incredible stretch he had.

That's quite a list.

Going by the starting lineups, this All-Star game looks about as competitive as the Dominican Republic vs. Cuba did on paper. The NL doesn't even look like an all-star team; it looks like... the New York Mets.

3 Imagine if Reyes was healthy. There are just two NL starters who are not from the NL East (even given Reyes' injury) and three AL starters not from the AL East (even given Ramirez's "injury"). Is that the result of:

a) An east coast media bias influencing the fan vote
b) A simple population advantage skewing the fan vote
c) The ability of rich east coast teams to sign the best players
d) Chance
e) Masons
f) Steroids, Bud Selig and the DH
g) We rule, you drool

Further to b) and g) where does this east coast voter turnout/influence go when it's time to vote for members of the federal government?

California baseball fans are not as united in their voting for the All-Star game as the voters are for political offices.

As someone who actually attended the 1995 All-Star game the Hideo Nomo started, let me just say...that I don't really remember it.

let's all enjoy the All-Star Game and its pointless spectacle in a spirit of comity!

And/or a spirit of comedy.

I went to the 1980 All-Star game at Dodger Stadium.

I was so excited to see it. I was really excited to see Dave Stieb because it was very rare that anyone in Southern California would ever see a Blue Jays player. The Angels wouldn't bother televising games from there.

That was the highlight.

And it was the debut of Diamondvision.

Woo hoo!

I have huge, huge, Lord of the Rings-sized hopes for this thread. The standard was set yesterday.

You could go home disappointed.

The Home Run Derby chat had the most comments in Griddle History, but was way off in terms of total visitors. That record is still held by a USA-Korea game in the WBC.

The link to the game is the MLB.com Gameday link as I finally deciphered their URL.

The only all-star games I really remember off the top of my head are "The one where Atlee Hammaker gave up the grand slam," "The one where Fernando struck out a bunch of guys in a row," "The one where Tim Raines got a bunch of hits," and "The one where Bo Jackson led off the game with a long HR to center off Big Fatty."

I remember "The one where Fred Lynn went nuts all over the NL"

Which is probably the same one, now that I think about it, as "The one where Atlee Hammaker gave up the grand slam."

Nice of Atlee Hammaker to show up as the mystery guest on What's My Line over at DT by the way.

The last one I can remember clearly is the one in Detroit where Reggie Jackson hit one that would be coming down about now if it hadn't hit a transformer. I think it was 1974.

Is Fred Lynn still the only player in ASG history to hit a grand slam?

And I remember Pete Rose going all Erstad on Ray Fosse, but I have no idea what year that was. And if it was in the late 70's that explains why.

I watched the 1998 All Star Game on tape in Pocatello, Idaho.

No, I don't remember how it ended.

17
Have you ever watched an ASG in Ontario?

(Note: That was a trick question)

18 -- I watched a lot of Jasons in Ontario once.

>>>And it was the debut of Diamondvision.

Beg to differ. I was at Dodger Stadium the Sunday before the All-Star break for Old-Timer's day. (this game: http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B07060LAN1980.htm)

During the old-timer's festivities the centerfield wall opened up and Joe DiMaggio, Duke Snider and Willie Mays walked out in uniform. While they were walking the Diamond Vision screen was turned on for the first time ever for about 10 seconds to show them walking in.

The Dodgers retired Duke Sniders number that day as well AND Hank Aaron singled off of Sandy Koufax to plate the winning run in the Old-Timers game AND it was Willie McCovey's last game in the major leagues and he hit a sacrafice fly as a pinch hitter.

Other than that the game doesn't stand out as being particularly memorable.

My favorite All-Star moment was Dave Parker throwing out Brian Downing in 1979. Prior to that it had been a catch Yaz made in '69.

Soriano
Beltran
Pujols
Bay
Renteria
Wright
Utley
Lo Duca
Penny

What idiot made out that lineup?

22 That's a good lineup for an all-star game in an NL park, in theory. There will be lots of subs. And that's a good thing for the NL too, since their starting lineup leaves a lot to be desired.

Wright could be replaced at third after he bats, in a double switch. The NL lists five 3Bs on its roster (including Nomar). Penny's replacement will bat 6th. You then could have a lineup (starting from the 7 hole) of:

Utley
Lo Duca
Cabrera
Soriano
Beltran
Pujols
Bay
Renteria
Pitcher's spot

That's not bad, in theory.

23 Sorry, I was joking, it being an all-star lineup and all. I should have made it more obvious :)

14

Wasn't that 1971?

21

That was the BEST OF throw I've ever seen.

I have arrived. Don't worry. Though I imagine even I can't make this game controversial without Andy Shimmin here. That guy really irks me.

a bit off-topic, but here are some great Pittsburgh skyline/city photos.

http://tinyurl.com/ptla4

Has any player ever been suspended for conduct during an all-star game? Any ejections, even? I have very high hopes for tonight's game.

Perhaps we can also make fun of non-native English speakers' spelling.

I think I am more invested in this game than the rest of you. I will actually be rooting for the NL. It's about time they win. If you ask Hargrove, the NL has the advantage, actually, because the AL doesn't have a DH. Poor guys.

It's more fun to make fun of mine.

I wasn't pumped up for the game until this awesome intro started. GO STARS!!!

Even the cowboy was impressed! Wow!

is the game on radio in the U.S.?

Two questions: 1) Why was it dark in California at 5pm and 2) why weren't those kids at home watching the ASG?

I sat in the Commissioner's seats right in back of home plate at the 'Stick for Fernando's string of strikeouts in 1981. [Ueberroth's exec asst was a buddy]. I particularly enjoyed walking past some folks who thought they were big shots and waving as we went down to our seats.

Is there anything more pathetic than following the all-star game on Gameday?

37 Yes.

It would be great if this turned into a beanball war with a brawl. That would really say "this time it counts".

Just ran a sim of today's All-Star game. Here are the highlights:

National League wins 9-5 as the NL bats were just too much for the AL pitchers to handle. Howard(2), Pujols and Wright all homered for the NL. Wright's was a 3 run HR and Howard connected for two. For the AL, the #8 spot of Loretta/F.Lopez went 4 for 4. David Wright was named the MVP of the game going 3 for 4 with a HR and 4 RBIs. Brad Penny got the win, Rogers the loss. Rogers was roughed up for 3 runs in the first inning and had to be relieved by J.Santana. Jim Tracy blamed the loss on pirated software. vr, Xei

39- That would make the NL sorry they didn't think to bring Eric Byrnes to the game. That is the only thing that possibly could.

I thought the game was supposed to start at 8.

42

Does any American sporting event start at the designated time?

You know what was weird about the World Cup. When they would say that the match was starting at noon or 6 am or whatever, it started at that time.

They do all the pregame folderol in a very specific timeframe on the other side of the pond.

Marty,
I'll be following on Gameday as I will be at work.

That was a horrible game. Whoever thought that up should be put in ja. . . um, nevermind.

Joe Buck is calling this game? Awesome! I only hope he has Tim McCarver with him! They are so awesome.

45 Somebody's all wet.

27 Those are some dynamite photos. Thanks.

I never understood when Chick Hearn said that "the butter's gettin' hard" that it was normal, because I grew up calling margarine "butter". I thought it must be going bad or something. I saw the light when I lived with my wife's family for a while.

When I went to Pittsburgh, I was surprised at how nice the city was. Great architecture there. And the University of Pittsburgh keeps Forbes Field's home plate under plexiglass in the building they put in. And they have bricks laid down to mark where the foul lines of Forbes Field was.

49
The US Department of Agriculture would like to have a word with you about the difference between butter and margarine.

Also this son of a dairy farmer is going to tell you some stories.

44 I was making fun of myself as that is what I'm doing.

52
I figured that pathos loves company doesn't it?

Isn't that nice? Scott Kazmir brought his twelve-year-old son to the All Star Game and let him stand with the big players.

51 That was the plan, I've dedicated this evening to breaking a griddle record for posts. By the way, what does everyone think of the theory of the "unitary executive"? I think it's very interesting and a good thing. I also like "seperate but equal". Thoughts?

Please, somebody tell me why they don't use the DH in the All-Star game.

When they play that sort of thing at basketball games, it's to put the ball through the hoop. Maybe you have to stand further back, but the point is the same as the point of the game. Same with trying to throw a football through some target that would be a recievers hands. But who trys to hit a baseball to some target on the ground ten feet behind the diamond? Just an alotoghether horrible game. If they didn't want to give away the mony that badly, the shouldn't have been allowed sponser the thing.

What was wrong with the throw the baseball through a one square foot target, or whatever? I realize the gameday followers don't know what I'm talking about, but I feel very passionately that some teenage Pittsburgher got hosed on t.v., by Taco Bell.

I know it's Pittsburgh, but can someone please check the crowd for a pulse?

Jim Tracy gets a cheer!

14. Have you been incarcerated or on a desert island for the last 35 years?

Huh, I called margarine butter too. And I grew up next to two dairy farms.

57 I think you meant "Maybe you have to stand fArther back..."

Is it me or is seeing Nomar in among the NL's selection young reserve players like seeing Bono waiting in line for a bus or something?

This ovation for Freddy Sanchez, while deserved, is a little sad. Poor, poor Pittsburgh.

I was hoping for more hatred for Jason Schmidt.

Poor Syd Barrett.

Jason Schmidt got a quasi-ovation from those that remembered his time in Pittsburgh.

I felt bad for the AL All-Stars who had to wear batting practice jerseys that were in Pirate colors and lettering. I fear that all of those guys are going to be touched with Pirateness.

If that's so, the White Sox are doomed as they have been the most infected.

Phil Garner runs out, sloshing pudding out his ears.

Why is Renteria batting 5th ahead of David Wright?

Why do people defend free press, when "freedom of the press" means the right to get excessively close to a ball player's face with a camera, but they do not believe in it when it means the New York Times exposing spying by the US government?

Bob, the guy who rose to prominence on Letterman must be Chris Elliot (musn't he?) but that doesn't get me any closer to the answer!

69 I don't get it.

70 Because Phil Garner is the manager (i.e. bad decisions are bound to be made).

So, do people who like mozzarella and hate free agency buy Ford?

55 If you mean "separate but equal" referring to branches of government, then the "unitary executive" theory can't coexist with it.

Is there a 9th circuit for appeals plays in the ASG?

Those are RCW wristbands, no?

How are the coaches selected? Does the home-town manager get a free pass as a coach? Is it just based on what the manager selects?

72 -- OK. I think I figured it out, but if I have the answer, then Bob simply scares me at this point.

75 Ouch... correcting my spelling. That hurts! But no, I was referring to separating people on the basis of their skin color. I like that. I don't think religions should co-exist, either.

In the words of our president "The Iraqis have Shiites and Sunnis? I thought they were Muslims."

Interesting seeing Brad Penny throwing to Paul LoDuca. If only Hee Seop could be in Pittsburgh as well.

75 -- You can have separation of powers without a unitary executive. But ruling "committees" haven't generally worked out well in the past couple of hundred years.

Ah, Carrie Underwood performing the anthem. Her hit single: Jesus Take the Wheel.

[Tattinger's, aka Nick and Hilary]

75 Saturday Night Live had a funny skit during the aftermath of the 2000 election that parodied the idea of splitting the power of the executive in a Laverne and Shirley/Bush and Gore skit.

Not a bad looker is that Carrie Underwood...

It occurred to me as he was trotting out there that Garner was on the last Pirate team to win a World Series.

84
You are correct.

85 Her rather impressive body made me feel patriotic as she sang.

81 Bob, am I allowed to comment on Hee Seop Choi? :)

I hate Buck.

Is Brad Penny pitching to Paul LoDuca an example of irony in the All Star game, or would such a statement be a Jim Tracyism coincidental irony?

I'm waiting for Bob to tell me that my statement in 90 has some connotation I don't realize.

I predict 7-4 NL.

56 Please, somebody tell me why they don't use the DH in the All-Star game.

They do, but only in the AL parks.

93 I also predicted the Dodgers would lead the NL in team ERA.

89
Yes!

90
Not that I can tell, but I will check with the Department of Unintended Insults.

Prediction: NL 5-4 - MVP David Wright on a 2 run bomb

84 That was a TV show? I don't remember it.

So, there used to be two ASGs? Why? What was the system?

Every minute that passes makes it more difficult to change the channel. I've already invested forty minutes in to this thing, even though I haven't seen a pitch. It would be a complete waste if I tuned out now. But, WHEN'S IT GONNA START?!

I also predict that Penny and Nomar will suffer career ending injuries.

98
Tattinger's was Bruce Paltrow's followup to St. Elsewhere.

It didn't fare as well.

99
There would one ASG in July and another in August. The players asked for it to boost funding for the pension plan.

Anyone think Penny will get ticked off at Garner when Brad gets taken out of the game before the fifth inning?

The height of my anti-Jim Tracyism was last year around this time. Here you had a guy who hit 7 HR in 3 games and was benched the last couple of games before the All Star break because of various arm angles and what not. Much of that feeling has subsided, though.

I think if HSC lifts some weights and gains some muscles, it would bode well for his career.

Ah, Ichiro... a Korean favorite!

105 Yes, I recall he had some nice things to say about Korean baseball.

100 Not really. Sunk cost.

McCarver was surprised that Penny has thrown a bunch of fastballs.

If Penny pitches well, does he enter the discussions about NL Cy Young?

69
Steve-- that made me laugh out loud. Which is a problem since I'm at work.

For the sake of the Dodger season, I would like Brad Penny to bring it down just a notch.

It begins. No way does Ozzie let Jeter get brushed back like that without retaliating!

106 Just to show you that I am not ethnocentric in my fantasy baseball decisions - I own Ichiro on my fantasy team and rejected a trade that would have netted by Francisco Liriano. Ichiro's high average and steals are simply too hard to replace.

I do love garlic, however.

69 I still haven't figured out what that means.

Maybe Penny will get the MVP?

Does Penny (or any Dodger pitcher) ever get two straight swinging strikeouts normally?

What? Penny throwing fastballs??

"How 'bout the number one?"

99 mph!!!

Penny's showcasing himself for something!

The last starting pitcher in an All-Star game to be named MVP was Pedro Martinez in 1999.

Will you all think less of me for enjoying that half inning?

Ok. That was AWESOME.

I wonder what Bronson Arroyo and Nomar are talking about...

"Where's your ring?" - Bronson
"Right...." - Nomar

Take a seat, Papi.

114:

Pudding for brains.

I'm pretty darn sure DePodesta is feeling quite swell about himself right about now...

nothing but fastballs. that was so great.

I don't know if that gun is fast, on the radio they kept saying that he was throwing 97, 98 and even 99 a couple of times.

[116] kuo does. broxton too.

I think it's kind of funny how Phillips boldly predicted that Ortiz would be MVP because he would hit a 3-run HR in the 1st inning...

116 No, maybe Saito but not with that kind of stuff.

126 No, you see the key to that inning was LoDuca's leadership. As you can clearly see, it was the intangibles.

123
I believe Nomar got a ring. The Red Sox gave rings to everybody who played on the team. They gave out 500 of them I believe. It's a status symbol in Boston to NOT have the ring.

114 My interpretation is that he means Garner has pudding for a brain. Is that correct? I'm sometimes slow.

Kenny Rogers is the best chance for the NL to get a W.

Wow Brad Penny is angry at somebody...maybe he's trying to throw the ball thru LoDuca?

I'm gonna be bold and predict 2-1 NL, both of the runs will come on an inside the park HR by my man CHASE!! UTLEY!!!!!!!!

Hey Soriano,
Don't make an out that fast. We need you to bat a long time for idle trade speculation.

122 Nate, I'm guessing you liked Kenshaw's game better than Morris' but both seem to be adjusting well.

BTW, out of the 5 unsigned 1st Round picks, 3 are Boras' clients with the other 2 being the Tar Heel pitchers.

Izturis or Cora would have snagged that!

So did Penny just end his career by trying to throw 100 MPH for the entire first inning? I mean, didn't Pedro's big strikeout performance in the ASG end in a DL stay?

And isn't the NL gonna win this because they actually took the league's best players, unlike the AL?

The NL has no chance. Clearly Pujols could not possibly hit a homerun off of Rogers here.

Question: Does the All-Star game use the regular rules for assigning wins to games?

Trading away Pujols clinched my fantasy victory.

Albert Pujols/David Weathers for Carlos Delgado/Carl Crawford - built up a nice 20 point lead in a 13 team 5X5 lead, in which my worst category is steals....

Quick thing I heard, Garner is batting Bay 4th because he always seems to drive in runs against the Astros.

142 Yes, unless they run out of pitchers -- at which point, they confer with Bud Selig and then he throws his hands in the air befuddled...

143 I understand the Delgado part but why did the other team only get Weathers?

142
No, it's like spring training. They give out the win or lose to whomever is pitching when a team is ahead or behind for good.

Thanks for the vine D4P.

138

Kershaw's 12:1 K/bb ratio is pretty sexy.

147 "whomever", Bob? Do I have to say it?

144 Although the logic is somewhat flawed, it's probably a good thing to have him 4th as Bay probably has the most incentive to please the hometown crowd....

I predict a bomb, right now!

Bomb meaning he's going to explode on a strikeout, of course...

148
Sure thing.

150
You don't like my use of the objective case?

154 Generally, I prefer correct usages of cases.

[147] what's wrong with whomever? it sounds right to me.

I thought for sure, (valley lexicon - circa 1984, is back), that Penny would hit triple digits the way he was throwin at Ortiz...

Pedro Martinez still won the Cy Young Award in 1999. He was a meager 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA.

143 Desperate for saves, I guess. I offered it but didn't think that the guy would take it. This was when Weathers had racked up some saves. In fact, this was the day that Pujols got injured. Pretty lopsided deal.

156 I'm afraid to do this again, because I've probably alienated everyone at Dodgerthoughts already. In the context in which Bob used it, "whomever" represented the subject of a subordinate clause, in which case it should be in the "subjective" or "nominative" case.

"Whomever" is the object of the preposition "to".

He's losing it! 97? 96?

161 No, the object is an understood "him".

Hey, a non-fastball!

160
Really? Never knew that one and I thought I had every obscure grammar rule copied.

So,

They give the win to whoever is pitching when the team goes ahead for good.

The umpire was fooled by the off speed!

If Penny goes more than 2 innings I'm gonna be fairly upset.

This Penny guy is good. If only we had a guy who pitched like that...

165 Bob, when you give in, it makes me questions myself. But I'm pretty sure I'm right here. Too much Latin and Greek to get these things wrong. To make sure, though, you could emend to "They give the win to him who is pitching..."

The Microsoft Word grammar checker agrees with gpellamjr.

How the hell is Vlad hit that.

168
Correction: we do have a guy who pitches like that...

Figures, the former NL East-er starts off the scoring...

HR Guerrerro, who has cleaned up his helmet for reasons unknown to anyone.

1-0 AL.

I would, however, argue that the grammar in 171 could be interpreted as correct.

That was a weird homerun.

Hard to fault Penny for a guy who has enough strength to pop up a ball at his eyelids and put it out of the stadium.

Meanwhile, the thing I really hate about the All Star Game is the incessant Mark Redman talk.

Mark Redman this. Mark Redman that. It's like Derek Jeter doesn't even exist.

Do these ABs count when you hear stats like "Jason Bay is 1/21 lifetime against Mark Redman?" I assume not, since this is an exhbition game?

Only Vlad hits a home run on that pitch. People will say that Penny was mediocre because he gave up a run. The NL lineup is pretty pathetic. They need to get Lo Duca out of there after his first at bat.

Jason Bay is 1 for 21 lifetime against Mark Redman? See, more Mark Redman talk.

Renterreia is the best #5 hitter in All Star history.

David Wright MVP!!!!

Penny didn't have to pace himself to get through a 6 or 7 or 8 inning game? When was the last time he came anywhere close to pitching an 8 inning game?

David Wright eats Chase Utley for breakfast!

Why was David Wright batting 7th? Chase Utley is hitting 8th?

179:

this game counts, remember?

186 6th and 7th respectively.

Renterreia is the best #5 hitter in All Star history

Only because Lucille II didn't make the team.

Isn't it Wright, the guy who got benched for David Bell, LoDuca, Pitcher's spot?

Did FOX pay Wright to praise 24?

191 -- They also signed Kazmir to do Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

184 June 9, 2006, Penny went 8 1/3 and beat the Rockies in Colorado.

193 Wasn't that the start immediately after his pissy exist in Atlanta?

I predicted that DP by Lo Dookie

Hey Bob, how many more posts do we need?

196- Negative 2.

So, when will we see our first web gem?

That's a page out of "How to injure your right hand" book...

Did I mention that I despise Oswalt?

Oswalt the Lucky Rabbit? He was traded for Al Michaels.

197 Then I'm gonna go enjoy the game before I insult anybody else who is much smarter than me.

Robo-thal!

If Ichiro's career ended today, is he a HOFer? Do you consider his stats from Japan?

Ichiro held at bay!

Ichiro wouldn't be eligible for Cooperstown now since he hasn't played 10 seasons in MLB.

Really? That's a formal requirement?

204 I don't think you consider his Japan stats, but I do think you consider that he played many years there and was able to make such a successful transfer. He has been pretty amazing in the US.

I'm not smarter than anybody else here. I'm just a little taller.

Baseball Hall of Fame election Rule 3

3. Eligible Candidates — Candidates to be eligible must meet the following requirements:

A baseball player must have been active as a player in the Major Leagues at some time during a period beginning twenty (20) years before and ending five (5) years prior to election.
Player must have played in each of ten (10) Major League championship seasons, some part of which must have been within the period described in 3 (A).
Player shall have ceased to be an active player in the Major Leagues at least five (5) calendar years preceding the election but may be otherwise connected with baseball.
In case of the death of an active player or a player who has been retired for less than five (5) full years, a candidate who is otherwise eligible shall be eligible in the next regular election held at least six (6) months after the date of death or after the end of the five (5) year period, whichever occurs first.
Any player on Baseball's ineligible list shall not be an eligible candidate

Matt Halladay is pinch hitting for Oswalt.

204 -- yes. not formally.

211 Yeah, I did a double take. I was wondering why Halladay would be hitting.... against Halladay....

Again Soriano deprives the Fox crew of idle trade speculation talk.

213 It's because Buck and McCarver are idiots.

209 -- This modesty from the guy who knew that Arlene Francis was on Tattinger's.

I wonder what Jim Tracy's thikning right next to Phil...

216
That doesn't qualify me as smart. That just qualifies me as a guy who has watched way too much TV.

I blame the following people for that:

1) Jim Tracy
2) Sam DC
3) Alfonso Soriano
4) Glenn Hoffman
5) Mark Hendrickson

Phil Garner is a genious!

I'm still holding to my 5-4; David Wright MVP prediction but changing the 2 run HR to 2 solor HR...

221 NL win prediction lest I be corrected by the grammar police...

haha "genious". Bob wouldn't have written that!

222 -- Andrew is out on Explorer Patrol with the grammar police right now.

The grammar police is all over the place.

But the dream police live inside your head.

Bob, is "police" a singular word or a plural? It was ambiguous from 225.

haha... I think it's my multiple watching of the Godfather -- too much "Solozzo" talk...

224 Andrew? That guy really gets on my nerves.

Wouldn't every player selected to the first ASG be a "first time selection"?

How important is it to block pitches?

Jazz police are paid by J. Paul Getty

Apparently, the grammar police is singular while the dream police are plural.

I thought the Jazz Police were paid by Larry Miller.

My use of singular and plural verbs for collective nouns was ruined by reading British newspapers during the World Cup.

"England are hoping for a better result against Portugal..."

234 The Brits make me really angry with their screwed up usages. Pink Floyd were a great band.

My family are huge.

224- Actually, I'm just waiting for the right moment to call somebody the son of a terrorist whore. Soriano tempted me, but not quite enough.

237 Andrew, you really get my goat.

Right now Oswalt is in line for the win and Halladay for the loss.

Snakes on a Plane!

238- You son of, nah. Not yet.

[236] are?

in which case would you use "whomever"?

Is there anything more pathetic than following the all-star game on Gameday?

Checking the score on your blackberry while putting the kids to sleep?

241 My mother is a disabled nurse and my father an apostate to the Jehovah's Witnesses.

242 I give the win to whomever I like.

Good thing Renteria was batting 5th.

I knew Sam would show up to account for himself after causing us such distress.

These pitchers aren't wasting much time are they?

You are correct.

While catching up with the thread, I mis-read this remark by Bob as referring to the comment that Carrie Underwood is a looker. Saucy Bob, I thought.

Roberto Clemente symbolizes excellence, George W. Bush freedom. Thoughts?

I have now looked up who Carrie Underwood is.

I have no idea who she is.

244- Shh! Don't ruin it. I assume Zidane's mom isn't really a terrorist. Or a whore. That sort of insult can't depend on literal truth, it has to be based on a sort of deeper Truth. Sort of like fake but accurate, you know?

251 She's the hottie who wears too much makeup and sings terrible songs, like "Jesus Take The Wheel" and "The Star-Spangled Banner".

What's all this then? They had FORTY-FOUR MINUTES starting at five for this sort of thing, but they held it for the middle of the game?

Gameday now says "Delayed (Ceremony)"

This can't be good.

254 Any more out of you and you're in for a head butt. Is that the right transcription of that concept?

255 They're having a ceremony in honor of Jackie Robinson or somebody, I don't know.

I still don't like that trivia questions. Doesn't the first all-star game have to have had the most first timers? Unless, of course, there were only 10 players on each team.

Shockingly, it doesn't seem to have made the dictionary. But, Wikipedia has it without a space: headbutt.

258
You can get the answer if you click on "Mike's Baseball Rants"

Roberto Clemente. It was a perfectly fine ceremony, but I don't see why it should have been held in the middle of the game.

261

It's sort of like those pointless montages in the middle of the Oscars.

219, 247 There's A Rabbit On The Loose!

I was just thinking, you know, they should really think of ways to make this thing more like the Oscars.

264 Seat-fillers?

Is anybody else frantically running every word that he's only 98% certain he's spelled correctly past google before posting tonight? That Pellam guy really cramps my style. I hope he starts ranting about oldbear, so Ken will ban him.

I just tuned in and saw Bronson Arroyo singing "Wonderwall". This guy's got some pipes!

266 Have you seen how many words I've misspelled this evening? I am a bad kind of hypocrite, too.

All I know about oldbear is what I've inferred through the satire of "witheredgrizzlie" or whatever his name was.

I suggest that the person referred to in 268 be referred to as "He Who Shall Not Be Named".

269 I do not know him to whom you refer. Which?

Is that the same Gary Matthews Jr. who used to be mediocre on the Orioles?

Gary Mathews Jr. is an all-star? I had no idea.

271
If you name a team, chances are Gary Matthews Jr. has been mediocre for it.

I'm terribly sympathetic to "PC". He reminds me a lot of myself. Besides, I love the "resident expert".

271- Yup. He's having a breakout season at 31, in Texas.

Bonus points to anyone who saw Gary Matthews Jr play in one of his two games with the Mets.

Double bonus points to anyone who knows what high school he went to.

Triple bonus points if you know what high school his father went to.

276 Will I be able to apply my points immediately or will they have to be used on a later date?

277
They're metaphorical points so you can use them whenever.

But can I use them against whomever?

A novel observation that Eckstein has "just enough".

You can redeem the points at the same places that accept Blue Chip stamps.

By the way, if you guys want to start using Saucy Bob, that's OK with me.

276 Do I get points if I cheated?

282
Not with me.

I'm really upset that I left my Cheetos in the car.

283
I don't deal with moral questions. I just want the facts.

Scrap iron brings in Scrappy McScrapper to play SS for the rest of the game. Phil Garner obviously doesn't think his team has any chance of making the World Series, so he's letting everybody play. Ozzie Guillen wants to win.

I have an ugly feeling Berkman is going to play and Nomar won't get in.

We want Uggla! We want Uggla!

Remember Nomar Garciaparra was the "Last Man" and Phil Garner is taking that at face value.

290 He was only the "Last Man" because scrapiron is an idiot.

Or maybe Garner realizes that Nomar is a waste if not used in the 7th, 8th, or 9th inning?

292 Maybe he's angry about a certain homerun? Hmm... but I guess Pujols destroys that hypothesis.

I love any company with a commercial that encourages fathers to hate their children while they're awake.

I assume he's just trying to leave Pujols out there until he breaks.

288- Berkman can play in the outfield too. It's a shame that Eckstein even made the team.

Taylor Hicks seems poised to torture television viewing public for the foreseeable future with the Ford commercial.

296 Lucille II is a better player as much as it pains to say it.

7 hitters left on the bench for the NL, 3 for the AL.

Another bad move by scrap iron. Bringing one of his worst pitchers.

For fans of teams other than the Dodgers, Lucille II is the nickname for Ramon Martinez.

301 C'mon, Bob! I was waiting for someone to ask.

301 For fans of teams other than the Dodgers, Ramon Martinez is a player on the Dodgers.

The dirt on David Wright is very disappointing.

Just read through Dodgerthoughts and the Griddle and I'm thinking Baseball Crockpot.

Is this going to be a time for "God Bless America" during the 7th Inning Stretch?

306- You're on Bud Selig's wavelength! On second thought, that's a pretty awful thing to say, isn't it?

306 It happens 81 times a year in the Bronx. Brutal.

308
Even if they played a doubleheader?

308- I didn't know that. Do the Mets (or any other team) do that too?

A Redman sighting!

I believe the Padres do "God Bless America" on Sundays. But they tend to invite big Navy and Marine groups.

They get to their seats in a very orderly fashion.

310 Not the Nationals, though they did on July 2 -- Armed Forces Appreciation Day and on July 4.

If Mark Redman relieved Johan Santana, that would be quite amusing.

It's not possible, is it, that Redman could come into this game before Liriano or Ryan or Buehrle or, or, or?

The AL is 2 for 16 on balls in play in this game. The NL is 5 for 20.

If Redman comes in, Nomar may get an at bat. The NL team may bat around.

It is kind of scary to think that the AL still has Rivera, Ryan, and Papelbon available to relieve.

And Guillen would bring in Jenks first.

I think I speak for all Dodger fans when I say: Mauer . . . grrrrrr.

How about that Kazmir fellow, eh?

The game's on the line and they call on a Phillies pitcher?

Jose Lopez and AJ Pierzynski hope to get a chance to bat!

321 Saucy Bob is back!

276 - I'm recusing myself from the double bonus points question.

Seems like the thread is living up to its billing? And the night is youngish.

It's the bottom of the 8th!

I'm going to miss the ending as I drive home.

Nice one scrappy

I'm going to miss the ending as I drive home

I think the Prius can wait a half inning for you...

328
I carpool.

I leave Jon is charge of the helm.

710 AM is carrying the game on the radio, out here. No need to miss a pitch!

Ah, well, the carpool complicates matters. Probably better not to use up bonus points on an exhibition game.

136. das411

I'm gonna be bold and predict 2-1 NL...

No Uggla? No Mar?

Cabrera refuses to get his uniform dirty. Very un-scrappy.

David Bell woulda gotten his uniform dirty.

BUT WHY WAS ROLEN NOT IN THERE?!?!?!?!?

C'mon Trevor...

damn it, can't we win SOMETHING???

Walk-off, pinch-hit game winning HR for No Mar?

Baez may not have made the team, but his spirit is strong in Pittsburgh.

Wow, I think I Dusty Baker'd this game with 332, sorry everybody :(

Time to go watch quietly again.

Someone tell me why Miguel Cabrera was playing 3B instead of Scott Rolen....

Nomar for Sanchez, right? Sanchez had an at-bat already.

It's not like we're in front of his home crowd or something.

341, meet 69

Will someone poke Phil Garner with a stick, please.

Why is Beltran still in the game?

Beltran is nothing more than a switch-hitting, NY-biased Bobby Abreu!

I didn't realize that Beltran was that fast.

Alright Howard. Time for a sac bunt. . .

Beltrans having a great year this year. Maybe even worth his salary.

Yes, the reverse jinx worked! Now let's see some...ooo an Olney from Howard, hilarious!

348
A grounder to the right side is as good as a bunt.

Alright Lee. Time for a sac bunt. . .

I guess Beltran's lower body isn't as scared as Buck thought.

Well, looks like the Dodgers will be on the road in the Series this year.

Well the Americans definitely pulled that one out of their *$@es tonight, didn't they?

And correct me if I'm wrong, but both Rolen AND Andruw Jones, a combined 30 or so Gold Gloves, were still on the bench at the end of this game right?

... You have a runner in scoring position with two outs in the ninth, and you have the batting champion on the bench, unused.

And, of course, Garner doesn't use him and loses. Great job once again, Mr. Manager.

[354] no, i think they're going to be at home. for every game.

Non-gamer Miggy Cabrera is responsible for this game. Almost like a Marlin doesn't care who gets home field advantage for the WS. There's a flaw in the system, Bud!

354- not with Jeff Kent on our team...

Hopefully this keeps overrated Hoffman out of the HOF.

Pansy! You finally had a forum to rail against Now It Counts!™ and you wussed out. Some MVP you are.

359 How about loser is expelled from MLB for life?

cut miggy some slack; he was playing the lines, which is reasonable. this loss is hoffman's.

WOW, did Buck and McC just say "You're stuck with us for the next seven years"??

So it wasn't actually just an evil joke, kinda like this?

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/50033

cut miggy some slack; he [has bloated up to almost fat tub of goo territory]

I blame overrated Hoffman, scrap iron, and Eckstein for even being on the all star team, yet alone playing and actually having an at bat.

Hoffman was the only Padre. Pretty surprising considering that they're in first place and all.

367
There's no "individual" in "team".

I miss the World Cup. I'm in soccer withdrawal. Oh well, here is my methodone:

http://www.break.com/index/zidane_head_butt_game.html

Or, "methadone."

369
You can go to an MLS game to feed your soccer Jones.

I've been to one my entire life. And the Galaxy used to play 10 minutes from my home.

367 We're having a little discussion on a fantasy baseball message board about who will win the West and I still can't figure out how the Padres are ahead of us. They have one hitter with an OPS above .800 (Piazza at .853) and pitchers like Woody Williams, Clay Hensley, and Chan Ho Park in their rotation. Am I missing something?

371 I went to a Galaxy game when they used to play in the Orange Bowl. It was fun. Those Mexican-American fans add a lot of flavor, with their huge Galaxy banner that they unfurl up several row of seats. But I haven't taken to the Galaxy like thought I would. Maybe I should subscribe to a soccer channel, so I can watch the English Premier League. My wife would love that. Me just sitting around wearing a grease-stained tank top, with one hand under my boxers, drinking beer and watching soccer.

I'm really hoping you meant the Rose Bowl and not the Orange Bowl.

372. Yes, two things, Jake Peavy and Chris Young, in fact I wonder why neither one were put on the All-Star team as the Padres representative and why Brad Lidge was left off as well.

By the way, this is my first post on a "Dodger Thoughts" related forum. I've been reading Jon's and everyone else's posts for about two years, and I have felt now obligated to join. I hope my contributions here benefit the DT community.

Welcome nofatmike.

Chris Young was a "Last Man" candidate, but lost out to Nomar Garciaparra. I think he finished fifth. Peavy has a losing record despite having pretty good peripherals.

I hate Trevor Hoffman with the hate of 1,000 Phoenix Suns.

375 Peavy's usually the ace of their staff, but his ERA sits at 4.46 right now, which makes their success even more baffling.

Well a large part of it I think of it has to do with Chris Young. Last year the Padres sent out Peavy, B-Law, Woody, Eaton, and a beavy of 5th starters as their rotation. This year Hensley has given them that useable 5th, but Park isn't much of an upgrade over B-Law and Woody is still Woody. But Young has been a very huge upgrade over Eaton, and has been Ace-like as of late. Plus, while Peavy is giving up an unusual amount of HRs for a San Diego pitcher, he's still effective enough to the point where he compliments Young if not vice-versa, giving the Padres a very effective rotation overall.

366 So which backup shortstop should have been on the team? Eckstein isn't great, but the top guys are all within a stones throw of each other.

I guess you can argue that Bill Hall is better this year though.