The AL "Pirates" the All-Star Game in the 9th
“We’re doing it again,” blared Tony Sherry into my voicemail at about 3:30 this afternoon. “We’re about to get on ‘The Beast’ boat tour around Manhattan.” Now I was truly amazed. I had just finished lunch with those two knuckleheads at about 1:30. When I left them, Mike Rumble was trying to convince Tony to go back to his apartment uptown and play video games. Tony was trying to convince Mike Rumble to go back to his apartment in Staten Island and play video games. So somehow the two of them ended up going on a speedboat tour around Manhattan. Amazing. I called Mike Sherry and Acc so they could live vicariously through them with me. It’s getting to be a game of “Where in NY are Mike Rumble and Tony Sherry?” Fun game…
So Grossman text messages me tonight after Hoffman buttered the muffin in the ninth. I sent a text message that I later realized sounded a bit sharp. Something to the effect of “I loved that. Met fans must be DEVASTATED.” Came out sounding like I was enjoying the fact that Met fans were devastated. Not my intent. Two separate messages that seemed erroneously tied together. In any case, I had a title for this blog already written with two outs in the ninth. I was pretty proud of it. “It’s a Met, Met, Met, Met World.” A play on the old Mickey Rooney movie. The Mets, as I predicted they would, showed up. This game wasn’t to decide home field between the AL and NL. It was to decide home field between the AL and the Mets. You can’t blame them. David Wright’s star continued to rise with an HR in his first at-bat. Beltran had the MVP locked up before things got weird. Everything was coming up roses for the Mets. The Yanks, on the other hand, did not show up. Jeter, who was an astounding 7-10 in All-Star games prior to today, went 0-3 with 2 k’s. A-Rod was 0-2. Not so good. That is, of course, until Mo. I ask you, Raoul, doesn’t it feel good to see him up there with a lead and three outs to go? He was doing what he does. Breaking bats and tying up lefties. Nobody got a good swing off him. Know that I was "assuming the position" with the NY Yankees street sign in the 9th to assure us a victory. I’ll also admit I was cheering for Big Papi (I’ll lay off him tonight) when he saved A-Rod an E-6.
Joe Buck and McCarver all but rooting for the NL. I was a bit baffled by those guys blowing up Brad Penny’s performance tonight. First of all, he went full count on the first two guys, Ichiro and Jeter, who both swung not only at ball 4 but ball 5. He threw a game high 36 pitches, and he gave the AL an early lead. He got three strikeouts. I get it. But it wasn’t Pedro in ’99. That was dominating. This was mediocre. At least they both admitted to “taking off their headsets” when the AL took the lead, meaning, I guess, that they didn’t want their collective “Can you believe this sh*t?” to be broadcast. “You can’t help but feel bad for them,” said Joe Buck. Dude, just do your job.
I kind of agree with Reid after watching this game. What was Kenny Rogers doing in this game? I didn’t get it. How was he the starter? Halladay, Zito, Buerhle, Santana and Kazmir – and you have Kenny Rah-Rah starting? Has Ozzie gone mad? Ozzie joked that Kenny was going to start and he was going to pitch ten innings. Only it didn’t really sound like he was joking. But even if he wanted to pick one of the Tigers, I would have picked Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, and Justin Verlander before Kenny. Kenny is the pitcher that comes to my mind as having the widest talent disparity in meaningless games and big games. He’s very good playing for nobodies in who-cares games. He’s truly awful when it’s all on the line. Which is why I, along with any Yankee fan old enough to remember ’96, remembered that semi-confused, nervous look he had on his face tonight. As far as I was concerned, I was shocked he made it off the mound as intact as he did, with just the one run. His full body dive off the mound was pretty surreal, though…
Funny how the Red Sox fans (Raoul) and sympathizers (Saif) leap to the defense of Papelbon. Relax, guys. I said he was good. I’m not arguing with you that he’s a key reason the Red Sox are doing well. And I’m not saying Mo is infallible. He blows saves. What I am saying, and will continue to say, is that Mo does what nobody else does. Papelbon, although having an excellent year, does what lots of guys do. Come back to me in 10 years, and it will still be the same story. Mo is one-of-a kind. And although I acknowledge he is a reason the Sox are doing well, he’s not the reason their flag is lead-left at the stadium. The Yankee injuries are the bigger explanation for that. Sorry, but the truth is the truth.
But in the end, most of the readers of the BPS blog were on the same page tonight. We can cheer together, for once. Sorry Grossman. But it was a h*ll of a game….
Yeah, thought your reply was a bit sharp, but I can take it. Wasn't devastated, but was pissed. I would've rather seen Wagner up there in the 9th instead of Hoffman. At least under that scenario someone would've been pitching with something on the line and we could've kept the Mets vs. AL subplot running. Really thought the NL had it there, even with men on 2nd and 3rd. Otherwise, it was good game. Nice pitchers duel.
Report any abuse or spam
When Papelbon has four World Championships then the Red Soxes fans can get back to me. Until then dont compare him to Mo. It's just that simple:)
Report any abuse or spam
I agree with Amber. Papelbon is having a stellar year, but he hasn't even thrown one pitch in the 9th in a playoff game. Mo has been breaking people's bats off for over 10 years in big, big situations. That experience is nothing that Papelbon has seen yet, and if they want to get to October through us, they'll have to beat Mo. It aint happening!!
Report any abuse or spam
I have to admit that I felt an enormous sense of pride when Mo was brought in to close the game. Then, after the game, when Ozzie said he knows now what “Mr. Torre” finally felt to give the ball to Mo in the 9th inning with a one run lead. In his words “it was a dream come true.” I know this is captain obvious once again landing on your heads but we and the Yankees are going to miss that man once he decides to hang ‘em up. To even put Pigelnose (at this point) in his career in Mo’s universe is a freaking joke. Feel free to ring me up in 2016 and we shall see if they occupy the same real estate then. A guy that young at his first All-Star game who “wants to rest his arm” either lacks heart or is already showing signs of breaking down. Relievers and young pitchers promising careers end every day.
And now to my daily ESPN blows rant……for those tired of reading them please ignore….with my sincerest of apologies. Karl Raviech (AKA the not so closeted Saux fan with the bad toupee on Baseball Tonight) said, during the highlights where Big Sloppi dug the ball out of the dirt that A-Rod threw, that it was huge that the AL won because it means “less games Ortiz has to play in the field.” To which John Kruk replied “What, you got them in the series already?” Toupee Boy shot back with a rather curt “I meant if they get there.” Sure you did you homer joke.
Yes, Mr. BPS…..we all remember that Kenny Rogers 1,000 yard stare. It was on display in 96…especially the World Series game against Atlanta where Leyritz had to bail him out. Mr. Grossman might remember that as well when the bases were loaded against Atlanta in 99 wasn’t it?
Report any abuse or spam
LOL
I got this game figured out now.
The BPS author writes about Rivera/Papelbon for two days.
Sox fans who respond are then admonished for having audacity to make such a comparison.
Cute.
Report any abuse or spam
THE 2008 ALL STAR GAME IS COMING TO NEW YORK. A TRIBUTE TO THE FINAL YEAR OF YANKEE STADIUM BEFORE THE YANKEES MOVE. :)
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/scorecard/07/12/truth.rumors.mlb/index.html
Report any abuse or spam
Raoul, you do realize this is a Yankee blog right? Okay, now that we have that established I suggest you re-read the section where you are mentioned and show me where you were "admonished"
Maybe you and I have different feelings on what "admonished" means?
Report any abuse or spam
Why are you guys trying too compare papelbon and Mo PAPELBON IS 23 for crying ot loud he is no MO.QUIT COMPARIG THEM OKAY?
-kaylee
Report any abuse or spam
Best wishes for the second half to the gang here.
Mark
http://mlblogs.mlblogs.com
Report any abuse or spam
"...Why are you guys trying too compare papelbon and Mo...QUIT COMPARING THEM OKAY?"
Kaylee, This isn't about 26 trophys or a stellar 10 year career.
This is about two closely matched teams desperately trying to reach the post season. An important part of a team is the Closer. Get any kind of a lead going into the Ninth (or Eight and a half) give the ball to a pitcher who will bring home the bacon.
Boston has found a weapon that is capable 'this season' of equaling a long-standing Yankee advantage.
That comparison (THIS YEAR) is fair because the numbers back it up.
When the two teams play I believe it will be an 8 or 8.5 inning game.
I am not trying to in any way diminish Rivera's 'career' by comparing him to a Rookie.
I'm comparing a position just like any other, like say Center Field. We got Coco and the Yankees have that crappy what's his name, in an attempt to have a polite adult conversation as this exciting season progresses.
It only took me three months last season to figure out this a Yankee blog. I don't interject unless the text references Boston and was told early on my participation was welcome.
I'm not a hater.
Everyone needs to lighten up.
Report any abuse or spam
Raoul, he hasnt even pitched a full season yet. So comparing him to Mo is stupid. He could be great the second half... or he could get rocked my batters who have seen him a few times.
//I am not trying to in any way diminish Rivera's 'career' by comparing him to a Rookie//
You're not. Look at the stats. The man has four rings... enough said. The man is proven, and your guy is not. So until he's proven himself over a number of years then stop talking crazy.
Report any abuse or spam
Happy, I was refering to the phrases...
"...dont compare him to Mo. It's just that simple"
and
"...To even put Pigelnose (at this point) in his career in Mo’s universe is a freaking joke."
But, if those are the rules I can live with it. :)
Report any abuse or spam
I understand.
Boston does not have a closer.
The Yankees have Rivera and Boston has ...oops sorry.
Report any abuse or spam
I wonder what the addition of Sydney Ponson will do for the rotation. I hope he doesn't come here with the attitude he had with the Orioles, we don't need it. If he can be a solid number 5 or a guy out of the pen and do his job, then I'm all for it.
Report any abuse or spam