31 of 64 All Stars are newcomers, playing in their first All Star Game- Glad both Harper and Machado were not acknowledged by Fans, Mgr's et al. Neither has put up the numbers to deserve playing in the Midsummer Classic. 20 yrs ago, the All Century Team was named, with the God Ted Williams throwing out the 1st pitch, whadda game that one was. The game commenced more than 30 minutes late that day..... National League Christian Yelich, LF, Brewers Javier Baez, SS, Cubs Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves Cody Bellinger, RF, Dodgers Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies Josh Bell, DH, Pirates Willson Contreras, C, Cubs Ketel Marte, 2B, Diamondbacks Ronald Acuna Jr., CF, Braves SP: Hyun-jin Ryu, Dodgers American League George Springer, RF, Astros DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Yankees Mike Trout, CF, Angels Carlos Santana, 1B, Indians J.D. Martinez, DH, Red Sox Martinez replaces Hunter Pence, who is injured Alex Bregman, 3B, Astros Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees Michael Brantley, LF, Astros Jorge Polanco, SS, Twins SP: Justin Verlander, Astros
Last nights HR Derby was somewhat of a Joke imo. Vlad Jr was given more attention and press imo than he deserved. More than Alonso got. Tons of bs press for Jr. and he didn't even win the thing. Joc Pederson had given Jr a fight; yet I didn't hear Joc's name on the AM news until deep into the program....Good to see Alonso win it. A 1 Million $$$ payday for a rookie making the league minimum 550K approximately; anyone but JR....
National League Reserves C - Yasmani Grandal, Brewers C - J.T. Realmuto, Phillies 1B - Pete Alonso, Mets 2B - Jeff McNeil, Mets 2B - Mike Moustakas, Brewers SS - Paul DeJong, Cardinals SS - Trevor Story, Rockies 3B - Anthony Rendon, Nationals 3B - Kris Bryant, Cubs OF - David Dahl, Rockies OF - Charlie Blackmon, Rockies 3B - Max Muncy, Dodgers (replaces Rendon) National League Pitchers SP - Mike Soroka, Braves SP - Jacob deGrom, Mets SP - Max Scherzer, Nationals SP - Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers SP - Hyun-jin Ryu, Dodgers SP - Walker Buehler, Dodgers SP - Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks SP - Luis Castillo, Reds SP - Sandy Alcantara, Marlins RP - Will Smith, Giants RP - Kirby Yates, Padres RP - Josh Hader, Brewers RP - Felipe Vazquez (replaces Grienke) SP - Brandon Woodruff (replaces Hader) SP - Sonny Gray (replaces Scherzer) American League Reserves C - James McCann, White Sox 1B - Jose Abreu, White Sox 2B - Brandon Lowe, Rays SS - Francisco Lindor, Indians 3B - Matt Chapman, Athletics OF - Mookie Betts, Red Sox OF - Austin Meadows, Rays OF - Joey Gallo, Rangers OF/2B - Whit Merrifield, Royals DH - Daniel Vogelbach, Mariners 2B - Gleyber Torres, Yankees (replaces injured Lowe) SS - Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (replaces injured Pence) American League Pitchers SP - Justin Verlander, Astros SP - Gerrit Cole, Astros SP - Lucas Giolito, White Sox SP - Mike Minor, Rangers SP - Jake Odorizzi, Twins SP - Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays SP - John Means, Orioles SP - Charlie Morton, Rays RP - Ryan Pressly, Astros RP - Shane Greene, Tigers RP - Brad Hand, Indians RP - Aroldis Chapman, Yankees SP - Jose Berrios, Twins (replaces injured Odorizzi) SP - Shane Bieber, Indians (replaces Minor) RP - Liam Hendriks, Athletics (replaces Morton) SP - Masahiro Tanaka (replaces injured Stroman) Takeaways There are 31 first-time All-Stars this time around, which is the most since 2016. It's a testament to how much great, young talent continues to come into the league, sure, but there are several veterans making their first trip as well. How is this Anthony Rendon's first All-Star Game? It's remarkable but true. NL third base is often loaded and there aren't that many roster spots to go around. Good for him. We'll get to the snubs in a separate article, but the most mind-boggling to me is Jose Abreu over Luke Voit at first base. It would be understandable if the White Sox needed a rep, but they already had McCann and Giolito (both deservedly so). Expect Hand to be the closer for the AL, given that this game is taking place in Cleveland's Progressive Field. The NL has several excellent candidates to DH, but it feels like it should be Bell or Alonso, right? How about Charlie Morton? Through his age-33 season, he had never made an All-Star team, but now he makes it two straight. The Astros have the most All-Stars at six -- and none of them are named Jose Altuve.
and- some worthwhile reading on this years All Stars et al.... https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27091852/snubs-surprises-more-mlb-all-star-roster-reaction Did I say yet: No Harper No Machado???? No Chief Wahoo neither; now that's a shame....
ALL STAR GAME TRIVIA Q's Winner gets One Dozen of Lillie's homemade Cannolis. Runner Up gets One 16 inch Pizza Pie homemade by CagedLion. 3rd place Wins a One Week Vacation for 6 at Stampedehero's Time Share Beach Front Condo on Cape May. (The Bar and Fridge are fully stocked, courtesy of Stampedehero.... #1- which MLB pitcher was the only picture to ever surrender a grand slam home run?
Verlander Strikes Out Freddie Freeman with 4 pitches. Freeman never took the bat off his shoulders. Reminded me a lot of Sandy Koufax vs Mickey Mantle in the World Series. One 97 mile per hour heater followed by two huge looping off speed curves. Coming in chest-high dropping down to the knees. JV perfectly painted the black...
Springer hits a ground ball up the middle to open the bottom of the first for the American League. It's kind of nice having Freddie Freeman mic'd up
Trout smokes a 1 Hopper off the chest of Marte up the middle. Trout is now 7/16 in All-Star game play. It's a wonder Marte is still standing
If I give the answer, isn't that as good as guessing the answer. That way I can win your homemade Cannolis. Btw- Thank you Lillie for providing the 1st place prize, that is extremely kind of you and it is also tax-deductible. Answer #1- Atlee Hammaker gave the only Grand Slam up in 1983...
Tanaka starts the 2nd Inning. Seems like it's been awhile since the SP Pitcher threw only Inning. Close play at 2st, Bell beats the throw from LMHU. Comebacker to Tank for 3rd out
I'll take it. I almost bought a COSTCO cheesecake today seriously. I was staring at 'em like I'd never seen one b4, when Kim collared me. 4 days in a row I've gone to COSTCO for our monthly water bottles. 4 days in a row people have stood in loooong lines; buying all they could load in their trcks, cars, mules. 22 pallets gone in 30 mins. Earthquake paranoia...
deGrom vs Trout. Trout skies one around the moon. TV goes to a commercial break waiting for it to come down, 60 seconds worth of commercials later, the ball comes back down from orbiting the Moon, takes out an airliner on the way down, and is an infield fly out