8:47 - about to start, had the kids all watch Obama throw out the first pitch, except they must have instructed the production crew not to show how he did. Had a close up of him from behind (3rd base side)...I won my ESPN.com streak pick of him getting it to the glove so he must have made it there...punk move not to show it from behind him, normal camera angle.
8:48 - NL takes the field, AL lineup just seems more dangerous. I predict AL 8-5.
8:50 - first pitch from Lincecum, fouled off by Ichiro.
8:51 - Joe Buck mentions last time NL has won the All Star game was 1996. Ichiro singles, Jeter will move him over unselfishly, or at least we will hear it from McCarver my guess.
8:53 - Jeter gets plunked, sounded like the bat but I guess it was the arm or hand.
8:54 - closeup of left handed batters between pitches gives the viewers a glimpse of a blond in a black strappy dress behind homeplate...
8:56 - after FC by Mauer, Texiera grounds into a sure double play but Pujols bobbles it, Jeter scores, 1-0
8:57 - Jason Bay hits a single into center, loading them back up, Hamilton grounds into a FC scoring Mauer from third.
8:59 - Young grounds out to third, inning over.
9:05 - Utley up after Ramirez grounded to second, Halloday looks good early. Ground out to first, two down and Pujols coming up, not much of a applause considering how popular he is, must be a bunch of corporate people from around America that flew in for the game...although there is a lot of red shirts in the crowd.
9:07 - sharp grounder to third, inning over.
9:11 - Halloday up, why do the pitchers bat in All-Star games? I don't care where the game is played, stupid. You (Bud) already changed the rules when you made the game winner the home team in the Series, make DH mandatory for All-Star games, allow the players to play. Geesh, nice strike out, perhaps that will hurt Halloday's trade value to a NL team...
9:13 - closeup of Ichiro's silver cleats, sweet, I guess. Helava player, fashion wise I'm not so sure.
9:14 - nice Budweiser nostalgic commercial about baseball, baseball has the license on those kind of moments, expect a few more during the game tonight
9:15 - browsing during commercials, notice Pedro has come to terms with the Phillies. Not sure how to react. Pedro was, for his time in Boston, the greatest and most dominant pitcher in modern times. He won some games for the Mets but never the same. I cannot imagine he will be more than a 5 inning pitcher for the Phils.
9:18 - Obama in the booth, finally the view of his first pitch from behind. Barely made it to home plate, I expected better.
9:20 - Mr. President just gave his rundown on all the teams having hope this season...except the Nationals of course...even the most prominent resident of Washington is down on the Nationals.
9:23 - NL ties the game 2-2 on a single and error. Take the lead on a Prince Fielder ground rule double (pinch hitter).
9:28 - Franklin (nice beard) in to pitch for the NL, he is their closer so a little weird for him to be in for the 3rd inning. Jeter grounds out harmlessly to second. Mauer lines out to first, two down. Bringing Franklin in after taking the early lead might be a great move, he is lights out this year and often teams want to make sure you keep any momentum you have going.
9:47 - have run out of steam, not sure how the pro's do it, keeping a diary for an entire game, my hat is off to you Mr. Simmons.
God, enough with the All-Star hoopla. It's a silly exhibition game. Get it started before 8:50!!!!! By the time the game ends, the East Coast and any youngsters in middle America have gone to bed.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, i was surprised about how unathletic Obama looked. Always heard he was really into sports. Looked like Urkel.
I heard a couple of references this morning of Obama having some kind of (assuming) bullet proof vest on underneath the WhiteSox coat. Probably created the push that was his first pitch. I'll give him a pass for that I guess.
ReplyDeletePregame should start at 7:00, nothing else going on in the sports world, start early, you have the stage the entire night. I agree P-Cat.
What's up with Maddon not putting in Wakefield for at least one inning?
ReplyDeleteAfter 17 years in the bigs he finally gets the votes this year to attend, and the 42 year old All Star Rookie sits on the bench and gets to watch. He's to much a class act to say anything when asked by the press, but I'm sure he's disappointed at what will most likely be his one and only shot.
I hear some low rumbling booo's coming Maddon's way next trip to Fenway.
Much more than low rumbling, I have read numerous articles/blogs this morning that say the same as you. I did enjoy watching Wake and Rivera talking with their feet up in the bullpen around the 7th inning (I think). They shared something funny together, both were grinning and having a good time.
ReplyDeleteI was expecting a better throw from Obama based on all the stories of his basketball game. It looked to me like Pujols took a couple of steps in to make sure it didn't hit the ground.
ReplyDeleteto your point, I bet Pujols and everybody was surprised Obama went up the hill. Most celebrity first pitches are from in front of the mound. I agree, Pujols reached forward at a minimum, he may have moved up on the plate or in front of it as well.
ReplyDeletetrink, I completely agree. Even though he never played baseball, it was still a poor throw. No velocity, but it did sink...
ReplyDelete