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The All-Star GameSo I was disappointed in the all-star vote. I wanted Pittsburgh to make a mockery of the game til the point that people really start asking questions about what kind of things we practice here. In retrospect, I can't say I imagine things being much difference with respect to the National Press. We get a few articles about ballot stuffing and who's at fault for 14 loosing seasons, and then everyone forgets about them by Thursday.Locally, I thought the PG did an excellent job of shining a spotlight on the management situation with all the National Media guys around. Although at times I think they were misguided. I mean, I agree that low payrolls should not be a hindrance to winning at least once in a 14 year span, but its a perfectly viable explanation of why smaller markets can't consistently compete. However, asking players about payrolls is pointless. Not one of them is going to suggest that it's a reason teams aren't competitive or that a salary cap would fix the issue, now that they've got their unions. "But Cap'n, you know I'm not a pro-union guy." I went to the bar last night to watch the game as FOX doesn't come in to well for me. I found myself a lot more interested in this game then other All-Star games. Consider it a combination of low scoring, in Pittsburgh, and always having at least one Pirate on the field. Here's some highlights of my notes. - First thing I was excited about was how loud the boos would be for Tracy when the bartender conveniently decided to run a blender through that and only that part of the entire game. What happened here? - I got a little emotional during Freddy's introduction. I don't know what it is about those scrappy, likeable players that have bogged down our team for so long, but we sure do enjoy them. The difference is Freddy is good to. Something about seeing him play makes you believe that you could just pick up a bat and go play Major League Baseball. Freddy inspires hope in all of us. - I didn't get the same feeling for Bay. - I love how Joe Buck kept saying that these two managers are going to treat this like game seven of the World Series, right after they show Phil Garner telling his team there's going to be no signs and to do what you want out there. - In Bay's first AB, you just knew once he got two strikes that he was going to get that breaking ball right off the ground and strike out. That's Bay's crutch right now, he lays off that when he's hot... check that, when he's hot he hits the 1-1 fastball out of the park and never gets to two strikes. But I think he's getting close. - Nothing happens for a long time and then we pause to honor Roberto Clemente. Bud Selig is the worst orator in existence. Clemente's widow, however, was sweet and heartfelt. It was hard not to get both excited and sad while they showed those images. I don't know much about my Pirate history but know I want to see every highlight I can find from the 60s. Actually, I'd really like to see some games. - I felt like I was watching a circus with Freddy in the field; he runs over David Wright to make a catch, makes a nice leaping play for the out at shortstop, looses his the ball in his glove while turning a double play, and falls to the ground while running for a fly to right. People at the bar were confused as to why I found all of this so amusing. - At the end of the top of the ninth, Hoffman's on the mound, two men in scoring position, and up by a run. Michael Young is up and Hoffman throws an Ian Snell style, 0-2 meatball in the middle of the plate. That ball should have been nowhere near the zone, it could have bounced six inches in front of the mound for all I care. People don't seem to be as critical of players for bonehead plays in All-Star games. If the game mattered to me, I'd say that would have been one of the most frustrating things I've ever seen. posted by Rory at 1:10 PM | |
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This is a blog about the Pittsburgh Pirates. My vision: to write about the games at the games. Want to email me? Make it out to rory at bleache... you know the rest. |
