I tried to do a running diary of the Home Run Derby, but my battery died on my laptop about halfway through. Here’s what I got up until that point, followed by a full running diary of the 2009 Major League Baseball All Star Game….
8:10: I’m joined in the basement by my buddy Nicky and his father, Big Poppa G.
8:11: Oh no, Steve Phillips is on the broadcast. My ears will soon be bleeding.
8:13: Albert Pujols is trying to hit a homerun for some guy from Philly who has DEFINITELY had one too many cheesesteaks and looks like he forgot to leave Philly 1979 behind.
8:14: He’s definitely got a good 70’s porn stache going.
8:14: He’s standing right behind home plate, what if Albert fouls it back?
8:15: Patience is a virtue.
8:16: Awww, too bad, wait, he gets another shot? ROBIN GETS ANOTHER SHOT!
8:17: Failed at his second attempt as well. Nice work, Albert, I knew you would come through for me. Screw Philly.
8:20: Nelson Cruz will start us off.
8:21: That’s a shot. So is that one AND that one.
8:22: Big Poppa G’s jaw just dropped. 4.
8:22: 5.
8:23: I like this ball track thing. That’s what she said. But seriously, it’s pretty cool with the real time measurements.
8:23: Cruz hits em high. REAL high. Nice catch by the guy in the front row. 6 AND 7
8:24: Too high, too high.
8:24: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 8 and 9 just went upper deck. The second one went 440. WHO IS THIS GUY?!?
8:25: Gold ball is in play.
8:25: You gotta take one here. Yep. Ohhhhhhh, that one’s gone. Well, there’s one donation.
8:26: This is NELSON SAIL AROUND THE WORLD CRUZ! 471 feets. 2 gold ball homeruns.
8:26: A nice showing by the young outfielder Nelson Cruz from Texas. Think he learned anything from Josh Hamilton?
8:27: The super slo-mo is really cool when the bat meets the ball.
8:29: Albert Pujols talking about his time with Stan Musial. I have to wonder when he actually learned of who Stan “The Man” was.
8:29: Prince Fielder is now on the hot seat.
8:29: Big Poppa G liked that Albert mentioned Musial taking a year off to “serve our country.” It’s nice to see somebody appreciating it.
8:29: “You can call me Winnie the Pooh, it doesn’t matter.”
8:30: Pujols is pretty well-versed in English. Research time.
8:31: He also loved his time in “Jankee Stadium.”
8:31: Meanwhile, Fielder has 4 HR’s and 1 out. That’s a good pace.
8:32: BPG thinks that Fielder’s weight is going to hurt him in this competition. “He’s gonna tire out.”
8:32: 5 HR’s, 4 outs.
8:33: I just heard Steve Phillips’ voice. I forgot he’s working this event.
8:34: “What the hell are you doing?”~Nicky to me
8:35: Nice grab. Get a haircut.
8:35: Somebody almost lost their head in the right field stands. “Hey old timer, get outta the way!”~BPG
8:35: Why is Steve Phillips still talking?
8:36: Fielder’s 9th just went 497 feet. That’s video game territory.
8:37: WOW my computer sux tonight, I just got to type baseball-reference.com into Internet Explorer after opening it 7 minutes ago. Thank God for Verizon FiOs and my new free laptop coming in 90 days!
8:38: “OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” His 11th on the Gold Ball was a shot.
8:39: “He’s sucking wind, that’s why he ain’t swinging”~BPG
8:39: Prince Fielder with 11 out of the gate to tie Cruz.
8:41: Commercial break, this just in, Pujols was born in Santo Domingo in 1980. This doesn’t tell me enough, I need to know when he arrived here.
8:43: According to Wikipedia, his full name is Josè Alberto Pujols Alcàntara. His nicknames are Prince Albert, Sir Albert, Phat Albert, El hombre and the Machine. When he gets up, I will refer to him as one or all of these.
8:46: Derek Jeter is getting interviewed as the top vote getter of the All Star Ballot by some token blonde. She really wants to get naked for him. That’s what D.J. to the ladies.
8:47: Meanwhile, Brandon Inge is getting getting skunked. 0 HR’s, 9 outs. With the new rules this year, that means he’s gotta run around the field naked.
8:47: Stay fair! Stay fair!!! Damn. Skunked. Poor guy.
8:48: “Better hit the weightroom.”~BPG.
8:48: Pooholes immigrated with his family to the U.S. in 1996. Not a bad for 13 years.
8:49: BPG just told a great story about Bill White getting traded from the Cardinals to the Giants and Bob Gibson knocked him down when he smiled at Gibby in the batters box. Love Bob Gibson. That style of baseball needs to come back.
8:51: By comparison, Luis Castillo was signed by the Florida Marlins in 1992. That means he’s been in this country AT LEAST 16 years, I’m shaving one or two. Yet, nobody can understand a WORD he says. How? Oh right, it’s Luis Castillo.
8:52: Oh man, Gonzalez has 2 with 8 outs. I had him beating Ryan Howard. Guess I was wrong. 9 outs.
8:53: 10 outs. Bye bye.
9:01: Carlos Peña is now in the box. 3 homers and 4 outs.
9:02: Wondering where next year’s All Star Game is. Nick claims in Anaheim. Checking. Peña just hit a shot opposite field.
9:03: Nick was right, Anaheim. 5 and 5 for Peña.
9:04: Okay, I need to protest one thing about ball track. The tail that trails the ball. What is this? The NHL on Fox?
9:05: My old employer KPMG getting some face time on the building just outside the stadium. Gotta love free advertising.
9:06: 5 HR’s and 9 outs. Peña is taking a lot of pitchers. “This guy stinks.”~BPG. 10 outs.
9:10: Switched over to MLB Network, showing the 1970 All Star Game from Detroit. I’ve never seen video of Juan Marichal pitching. His windup was ridiculous. Well I think it was 1970. BPG thinks it was ’72. Let’s go to Baseball-Reference.com
9:12: We’re both wrong. 1971. All I know is Reggie Jackson destroyed a ball onto the roof of the old Tiger Stadium.
9:13: Ryan Howard on the board with 1 and 2 outs.
9:13: I really am rooting for Howard here. I’m hoping he goes on a tear tonight, then loses it for the rest of the season.
9:14: “It’s either allergies or cancer.”~Nicky telling a story. No, not about himself. That’s quite a range.
9:15: F Shane Victorino.
9:15: Phillie fan just caught Howard’s 5th homerun. He can die now. No, really, he can die now.
9:16: F Shane Victorino.
9:16: BPG is wondering how Victorino could start tomorrow, as Nicky has mentioned. Two words…Charlie Manuel.
9:18: Battery is dying. Gonna recharge for now. Be back in the 2nd round.
Okay, editor’s note, I never went back to blogging. I couldn’t find a good perch for myself to type and keep the computer plugged in. I wasn’t on my game anyway. That was just a warmup, now it’s time for the real thing.
Last year, my father and I sat for 5 hours to watch the Major League Baseball All Star Game and it was one of the greatest blogs I have ever written. It’s a tough act to follow, but I’m going to give it a shot. Along with my father this year, my two brothers, Chris and Frank will be joining us shortly. So, without further adieu, let’s get this running diary underway.
8:17 PM: I’m not even watching the broadcast. “The Departed” is on FX. This is gonna be tough to turn away from. Plus, I’m in no hurry to watch the pregame festivities.
8:18 PM: One point I just made to Mike…As I was walking by the TV upstairs, which had FOX on, I heard Joe Buck introduce the Mets’ reserves, including “Francisco Ro-riguez” Didn’t know we had a guy named “Ro-riguez.” Thanks for clarifying, Joe.
8:19 PM: Okay, I’m focused on FOX now.
8:20 PM: I don’t know who these people are they are introducing.
8:21 PM: A video tribute narrated by President Obama. I wonder if he’s using a teleprompter. “Of course he is, he can’t do anything without reading.”~Dad. “I put the vallabaluce on you!”~Dad. I have no idea what that means, but I’m gonna say it’s not good.
8:22 PM: W!!!! Wow, interesting to bring George W. and Slick Willy in on the ordeal.
8:23 PM: This is actually well done. George H.W. is looking a little rough. Speaking of looking rough, Jimmy Carter looks like a muppet. The two oldest living presidents are definitely in their twilight.
8:26 PM: I’ve been kicked out of my chair. Frank has the Shingles. My brother gets a rash and I lose my chair. Does this mean he’s gonna be spreading his germs all over the place?
8:27 PM: According to Frank, I’m safe since I already had the chicken pox. Well then.
8:28 PM: “If Chris comes, we all have to wear Mets hats.”~Dad. Not including Chris.
8:28 PM: MICHAEL STRAHAN IS IN A SITCOM?!?!?! Oh, I’m getting Season 1 on DVD for Mike.
8:29 PM: Frank: What are you doing?
Me: Running diary
Frank: Ha! For this?
Me: Dad’s gonna be priceless tonight.
8:30 PM: The Capital One commercials with the Visigoths are awesome. Every one of them.
8:31 PM: Please rise and remove your caps.
8:31 PM: Dad’s spackling the door where my Armando Benitez dart board once hung. It’s a sad time in our house, or soon to be former our house.
8:32 PM: Sheryl Crow is 100% not wearing a bra. Good for her.
8:34 PM: “Damn commercials! Don’t they know I have to get back to work?”~Hi C. Welcome to Major League Baseball on Fox.
8:35 PM: I’m cautiously excited for the Cleveland Show.
8:36 PM: Leave it to Fox for a pregame show to now last 36 minutes. There are people on the East Coast that would like to stay up for the entire game you know.
8:36 PM: “Michael Strahan has a sitcom coming out on Fox this fall. I can’t think of anything more awful.”~Mike
8:38 PM: Boos! I HEAR BOOS FOR THE PRESIDENT!!! Come on, people, that’s not right, I mean….he is the president. (Snicker)
8:39 PM: Wow, his windup did not look natural. He looked like an actor in a baseball movie. Bad job by the camera guy. We never actually see the end of the pitch. He did reach the plate though.
8:44 PM: Make that 44 minutes. Can we start the game please?
8:48 PM: And the NL takes the field.
8:49 PM: Barack Obama told Joe Maddon “I like your glasses, I think you’re the most fashionable manager in baseball.” Oh come on, not Jerry Manuel? Wow, Ken Rosenthal, that was really some in depth reporting. I don’t know what I would do without Ken Rosenthal.
8:50 PM: RIPPED by Ichiro, foul. That is the extent of Ichiro’s power.
8:53 PM: I’m gonna go out on a limb and say Roy Halladay will NOT be traded to the Yankees.
8:53 PM: OOOOohhhh Jeter got drilled on the hand. Shades of Pedro 5 or so years ago.
8:54 PM: “He looks a little bit like Rupp, Joe Mauer.”~Frank I’m not seeing it.
8:56 PM: D-Wright’s gotta execute that throw. Come on David.
8:57 PM: Error by the home town hero, Poo Holes and it’s 1-0 AL.
8:59 PM: Did Lincecum forget his duties? Another should-be double play botched. 2-0 AL. Did Omar Minaya put this team together?
8:59 PM: D-Wright executed that one at least.
9:05 PM: Two batters, two ground balls for Halladay and it’s Poo Holes with two out and nobody on, that’s how you wanna face him.
9:07 PM: What a play by Michael Young. Always liked him. He was on my one fantasy baseball team. I think I mentioned that in last year’s diary. Speaking of fantasy baseball, I have decided to return to the game. I’m gonna give it another shot in 2010. I must be crazy.
9:11 PM: Frank: Halladay has no logo on his helmet
Me: That’s because he doesn’t have one
Frank: What did he buy it at Modell’s?
Dad: HA!
9:11 PM: “Well we know you all tuned in for a Roy Halladay at bat.”~Joe Buck. Okay, I’ll give him that.
9:12 PM: Ken Rosenthal just said that the Yankees and Phillies are the ones to watch in the Halladay sweepstakes. The Jays are looking at teams all over the country and Halladay has a no trade clause. Okay, umm, so what you’re saying Ken is you have NO idea of what’s gonna happen.
9:16 PM: Dad and I just cracked open the bottle of 2007 Budweiser’s Private Reserve in honor of the Great American Lager. We may or may not get drunk tonight. It’s a big bottle.
9:17 PM: President Barack Obama joining McCarver and Buck in the booth. You know, I think it’s an improvement. That’s hard for me to say.
9:18 PM: That’s not going in the diary, Dad.
9:21 PM: D-Wright with the first hit off of Halladay. “Wright’s ball would have been out of Yankee Stadium.”~Mike
9:22 PM: Victorino just moved him up with a single.
9:23 PM: Tim McCarver just lied to the president. He said Shane Victorino is the first position player to come out of Hawaii, there have been three pitchers. No love for Benny Agbayani?!?!?! You’re wrong McCarver! You’re wrong. Being that Obama “grew up in Hawaii” or so he says, do you think McCarver was waiting all day to share that fact, which is erroneous? I’m going with yes.
9:24 PM: Wright is driven in by Yadier Molina and Victorino scores on a throwing error and we’re tied at two. My world just turned upside down as probably my two most hated players in the Majors not to wear Mets uniforms, just moved D-Wright around the bases. “I hate Molina, but he’s so clutch.”~Frank
9:25 PM: “F SHANE VICTORINO AND YADIER MOLINA. D-Wright should have crossed his arms and refused to run.”~Mike
9:26 PM: Fielder just lashed a double that hugged the left field line as Buck hesitated on the call. “Is it fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffair joe buck? T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-today Junior!”~Mike 3-2 NL.
9:32 PM: 1-2-3 goes the AL. Nice.
9:39 PM: David Wright needs to stop promoting the movie G Force and start hitting homeruns.
9:40 PM: I can’t believe the new Equinox gets 32 MPG highway. My poor little 2005 gets 22.
9:41: Haren just slammed one against the backstop. “JUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUST a bit outside. Tried to hit the corner and missed.”
9:43 PM: Chris just called, he’s on his way. “The score’s 3-2….us….oh I don’t know if you’re us.”~Dad. Chris is a Yankees fan.
9:48 PM: Just showed Frank and Dad the video of Mike dropping Evans’ homerun. That’ll never get old.
9:49 PM: D-Wright’s up. SILENCE!
9:50 PM: Strike out looking. Some things never change.
9:51 PM: Riddle me this, riddle me that, the last player on to make the roster made it into the starting lineup. How does this happen? His manager is managing the All Star team. His name is Shane Victorino. Ulch.
9:52 PM: They just showed a graphic of Hawaiian born players to play in the All Star Game. This is what McCarver meant. Ah. Okay. The other three were pitchers. Two Mets: Ron Darling and Sid Fernandez. The third? Charlie Hough???? Wow, THAT I didn’t know.
9:56 PM: Wright is out, replaced by Zimmerman. Way to bow out David. And we have a Jay Horwitz sighting in the NL dugout. “Was he voted as the NL’s PR man?”~Frank. “He’s been around as long as I can remember.”~Dad
9:58 PM: Researching Charlie Hough’s years as Mets pitching coach.
9:58 PM: Frank: For a young guy, who just got in the game, Crawford is sweating profusely.
Me: Maybe…he’s…I got nothin.
10:00 PM: What a play by Utley. That’s why, despite being a Philly, I really can’t hate him.
10:01 PM: Do we need the caricature of Derek Jeter with his fun facts? How about just the name?
10:01 PM: After shaking defense in the first inning, what a play by hometown hero Poo Holes.
10:02 PM: Chris has arrived. “Shingles boy, how ya doin?”~Chris to Frank. Ah brotherly loved.
10:05: Another great play by Poo Holes to keep the go ahead run from scoring. Oh yeah, Jeter scored to tie it on a double by Mike, I mean Mauer. 3-3
10:10: Call from Mom checking in on everyone.
10:15: What is wrong with me? I cannot find info on Charlie Hough. Still trying.
1016: Nice turn by Tejada on a bobble double play by Utley. 3-3 heading to the bottom of the sixth.
10:20: Hometown Hero Poo Holes has really failed at the plate during the break.
10:25: Just saw the new FiOs commercial with the free Compaq laptop, which lead to a discussion about Verizon not delivering. Chris has had FiOs for a year but never got a laptop, he also didn’t sign up when they were offering it.
10:26: Poo Holes got one more ovation before being replaced by Adrian Gonzalez, but you couldn’t really hear any ovation, I had the answer though…
Chris: Wow, are you paying attention St Louis? Yankee Stadium they would have…
Me: they weren’t playing the audio, they were playing live audio.
Chris: Ah, good call, you’re on the ball, Rick
Me in my mind: I’m hammered.
10:28: Chris: “So I hear the Phillies might get Halladay.” Frank and Chris then discussed the possibilities of Halladay in the Phillies rotation. I can’t even think about it.
10:29: Country Music Recording Artist Sara Evans singing “God Bless America.” Totally thought she was blonde.
10:29: Chris: She’s not that cute
Me: I totally disagree.
10:30: “God Bless America” should be sung live every night at every game. Go ahead, try and argue with me. In the words of Ivan Drago, “You vill loossss.”
10:33: Papelbon is in for the 7th. I wonder if he bitched about that one like last year.
10:34: GET OUT!!! GET OUT!!! OHHHH What a catch by Crawford. Damn.
10:34: It would have been nice to see Papelbon give up a homerun to Hawpe
10:34: GET OUT!!! AHhhhhh. “Unfortunately, it’s not Yankee Stadium”~Chris “Unfortunately, Tejada’s off the juice.”~Me.
10:36: Just realized Jason Werth is on this team. I hate this bastard. I really do. He’s a good player, but F his life.
10:39: The DirectTV commercials with the Cable Company board meeting are classic. “But, WE don’t broadcast in 1 million 80p. (Do we?)”
10:42: HOW DID WE TRADE HEATH BELL?!?! I know he wasn’t THIS good with us, but apparently we were missing something when he was with the Mets.
10:44: Granderson triple, he makes it look so easy.
10:44: Chris: So Pujols has 32 home runs, so he has Maris in his sights
Me: Yes
Chris: So what happens when he hits 58 and is approaching 61, are they talking about it?
Frank: No…Bonds
Chris: That’s ridiculous. Bud $elig stinks. He should strike all the records.
Ah, baseball.
10:48: 4-3 as Adam Jones hits an RBI sac fly. I’ll shut up about Heath Bell now.
10:52: Just had a sibling/father discussion about the family Giants tickets, or should I say, the soon to be former Family Giants Tickets, culminating with this line from me, “I shook Jeff Wilpon’s hand and I regret it. I spit at the Mara’s and the Tisch’s feet. Actually, I take back my hand shake with Jeff Wilpon.” Shut up Mike, I know you’re laughing at this.
10:55: Me: I need to go to a Newark Bears game. Dad, we’re going
Dad: Let’s go! You know I’ll go.
Me: I want to make Armando Benitez cry
Dad: Can we bring Mom?
Me: Sure! She might be horrified at what I have to say, but sure.
10:57: I’m trying to scare Chris by arguing that Mariano does blow saves from time to time. His argument is he’s never blown an All Star Game save. He now makes the claim that Mariano holds the lead for most All Star Game saves. I’m on it.
11:02: 1st and 3rd, two out for Ryan Howard. I can’t hate this guy. He’s a good player, he plays the game right and he keeps his mouth shut. Yet he’s a Philly. It makes no sense. Still researching Mariano.
11:05: Orlando Hudson just stole second. If he’s not a Met next year, I fire Omar Minaya. I’d fire him now anyway.
11:05: “Seriously, how many PR guys hang out in the dugouts at the All Star Game?”~Frank. He’s stuck on this.
11:06: Howard struck out. You suck Howard. You’re a Philly, so I kinda like it. “Do they play ‘Enter Sandman’ for Mariano in the 9th?”~Chris
11:08: Mariano has 3 career saves in the All Star game. That sounds to me like a lot. I’m not researching all of baseball’s All Star Games. One last search.
11:09: We go to the 9th. K-Rod is in.
11:11: Two quick outs, including a strike out for K-Rod.
11:12: Shot to left center. Can of corn! Can of corn!! It was Werth who makes the great catch, but I’ll GIVE him that one! What can I say, I hate him, but the guy’s a gamer.
11:13: Pee break before the bottom of the 9th.
11:15: Joe Buck just answered our question. Mariano is tied with Dennis Eckersley in All Star Game saves with 3.
11:15: 1st up for the NL is Justin Upton of the D-Backs.
11:16: Me: It’s gotta be hard for the catchers in this game to catch pitchers they’re not
familiar with.
Chris: Imagine if Wakefield was pitching.
(Touchè)
11:16: One out.
11:18: Just had a Johan sighting in the NL dugout. Thank God he hasn’t had to pitch tonight.
11:18: Mariano’s son is texting from the dugout while his father is pitching in the All Star Game. Oh how far we’ve come.
11:19: Mariano just made Hawpe look foolish. 2 out. And now Tejada.
11:19: Me: You’ve seen him before. Come on Miggy
Chris: There’s no way Tejada is getting a hit here.
11:20: Oh look a second baseman that catches a popup to end a game. 13 year drought for the NL. Wow. Mariano Rivera stands alone as the all time saves leader in All Star Games with 4. Well, at least the game didn’t go until 1:30 in the morning.
11:21: According to McCarver, the NL only had two baserunners over the last 7 innings. I said it before and I’ll say it again, did Omar Minaya put this team together?
This turned out to be the shortest All Star Game since 1988. Watching now as Bud $elig presents the Ted Williams All Star Game MVP Award to Carl Crawford in recognition of his game saving catch. Crawford has no idea of what happened. He really has a deer in headlights look right now.
I just realized the one solace we can take is that Charlie Manuel was the losing manager. At least I have that going for me.
