allstar CANDY!

[ACE-ACE]

SCOREBOARD

Tuesday, July 15

All-Star game (8:00 p.m. EDT). The 79th version of the midsummer classic is held at Yankee Stadium.


STARS

Sunday

- CC Sabathia, Brewers, homered and pitched his first National League complete game in Milwaukee's 3-2 win over Cincinnati.

- Brian McCann, Braves, homered and drove in three runs to help Atlanta rout San Diego 12-3.

- A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays, came within two outs of a shutout, allowing a run and six hits in Toronto's 4-1 win over New York.

- Aaron Miles, Cardinals, went 3-for-5 with his second homer of the year and five RBIs to help St. Louis defeat Pittsburgh 11-6.

- Tim Lincecum, Giants, struck out nine in eight innings and improved to 11-2 as San Francisco beat Chicago 4-2.

- Chad Billinsley, Dodgers, struck out a career-high 13 batters in seven innings to help Los Angeles avoid a sweep with a 9-1 win over Florida.


SOX STEP UP

Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched six scoreless innings and the Boston Red Sox reclaimed the AL East lead going into the All-Star break, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 2-1. The Red Sox moved a half-game ahead of Tampa Bay and took the division lead for the first time since June 28. Boston trailed by a season-high five games last weekend, then won five of six while the Rays lost seven in a row. Tampa Bay lost its seventh straight, 5-2 to Cleveland.


SPEED DEMON

Reggie Willits scored from second on Erick Aybar's infield single with two outs in the ninth and the Los Angeles Angels rallied to beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3. Willits, who entered the game as a pinch runner, never stopped running from second base on the play. Aybar's high chopper eluded closer Huston Street's glove, and shortstop Donnie Murphy's throw to first baseman Daric Barton was late. Willits just beat the throw home, which dribbled away from catcher Kurt Suzuki.


SLUGGING

The Cardinals beat the Pirates 11-6 and scored 28 runs and had 50 hits while winning two of three in the series. They could have swept their final series before the All-Star break, but couldn't hold leads of 9-3 and 10-4 while losing 12-11 in 10 innings Saturday night despite a season-high 22 hits.


SLUGGING BUT LOSING

Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye homered for the Chicago White Sox, who had a season-high 22 hits but lost 12-11 to the Texas Rangers. The 22 hits were the most allowed by Texas in a victory. Dye went 4-for-5, including a two-run single in the ninth for the final runs, and five other White Sox players had three hits.


AN EVEN DOZEN

The Nationals, who have baseball's worst record and worst offense, were shut out for the 12th time in a 5-0 loss to Houston. The 12 shutouts are most in the majors. Washington has lost 10 of 13, and three of the losses were shutouts.


STREAKING

All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler extended his majors-best hitting streak to 25 games with three hits and drove in three runs for the Texas Rangers, who held on for a wild 12-11 victory over the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox. ... Troy Glaus completed a 10-for-13 weekend with a home run, one of the Cardinals' 15 hits in an 11-6 win over the Pirates. ... Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann extended his on-base streak to eight straight plate appearances, going 3-for-3 with a walk and a hit by pitch. Atlanta beat San Diego 12-3.


SIDELINED

Reds leadoff hitter Jerry Hairston had to be carried off the field after straining his right hamstring running out a bunt single in Cincinnati's 3-2 loss to Milwaukee. He led off the third inning by bunting toward third. About a quarter of the way to first, he pulled up and limped across the bag. He made it to first safely, then fell over clutching his upper right leg. Manager Dusty Baker, Joey Votto and trainer Mark Mann carried him off. Hairston will have an MRI in Cincinnati on Monday. ... The Reds placed Aaron Harang on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right forearm. Harang is 3-11 with a 4.76 ERA in 20 appearances, 19 starts, and is eligible to be reinstated on July 23.


CUB-STARS

The Cubs tied the National League record for most players on an All-Star team when reliever Carlos Marmol was selected to replace injured Chicago teammate Kerry Wood. Marmol was picked because he was the relief pitcher with the highest vote on the player ballot. He is the only pitcher in the game who isn't a starter or a closer. The NL record was set by the 1943 St. Louis Cardinals, and equaled by the 1956 Cincinnati Reds and 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates. Before this year, the most All-Stars for the Cubs was six in 1936 and 1988.


SPEAKING

"I hate what just happened this week, but we're sitting in a very good spot.'' -Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon after the Rays dropped their seventh straight, 5-2 to Cleveland to fall a half-game behind Boston in the AL East after leading by five games.


SEASONS

July 15

1901 - Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants pitched the first of two career no-hitters, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0.

1969 - Cincinnati's Lee May hit four home runs in a doubleheader split with the Atlanta Braves. May had two home runs and drove in five runs in both games as the Reds lost the opener 9-8 but came back to win the second game 10-4.

1969 - Rod Carew stole home off Chicago's Gerry Nyman in the Minnesota Twins' 6-2 victory. It was Carew's seventh steal of home for the year and tied Pete Reiser's 1946 major league mark.

1973 - Nolan Ryan of the California Angels struck out 17 batters and threw his second no-hitter of the year, beating Detroit 6-0.

1980 - Johnny Bench broke Yogi Berra's record for home runs by a catcher as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Montreal Expos 12-7. Bench hit his 314th homer as a catcher off David Palmer. Bench had 33 home runs while playing other positions.

1990 - Chicago's Bobby Thigpen became quickest to reach 30 saves in a season as the White Sox beat the New York Yankees 8-5.

1997 - The San Francisco Giants scored 13 runs to set a modern NL record for runs in a seventh inning en route to a 16-2 rout of the San Diego Padres. The Giants set the NL record for the most runs in a seventh inning since 1900.

1999 - After 22 1/2 years in the dreary Kingdome, Seattle finally played a home game outdoors, moving into a $517.6 million ballpark with a retractable roof. Jose Mesa wasted a ninth-inning lead by walking four batters and the Mariners lost 3-2 to the San Diego Padres in Safeco Field's opener.

2003 - Anaheim's Garret Anderson went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and a double as the American League beat the National League in the All-Star game 7-6. Hank Blalock of Texas hit a go-ahead, two-run homer as a pinch-hitter in the eighth off Los Angeles' Eric Gagne.

2005 - Baltimore's Rafael Palmeiro became the 26th player to reach 3,000 career hits, curling an RBI double into the left-field corner off Joel Pineiro in the fifth inning of a 6-3 win over Seattle. Palmeiro joined Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers.

2006 - For the first time in nearly three decades, a full major league schedule was played without a save being recorded. There were six blown saves during 15 games, including two each in Pittsburgh's 7-6 victory over Washington, and in Cincinnati's 3-2 win against Colorado. The Nationals and Reds both won with ninth-inning rallies.

2007 - The Philadelphia Phillies lost their 10,000th game, 10-2 to St. Louis. The franchise, born in 1883 as the Philadelphia Quakers and later called the Blue Jays in the mid-1940s, fell to 8,810-10,000.

Today's birthdays: Ryan Wagner 26; Chris Denorfia 28, Miguel Olivo 30.

 

[ACE-ACE]

Monday, July 14

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MLB – Home Run Derby
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State Farm Home Run Derby participants announced

Major League Baseball and State Farm, the official insurance sponsor of Major League Baseball, today announced the eight All-Stars who will participate in the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby, which will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes TV and ESPN Radio on Monday at 8 p.m. (EDT).
The National League will feature Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman; Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun; Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla; and Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley.

Competing for the American League will be Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria; Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau; and Cleveland Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore.

Berkman, a five-time N.L. All-Star, will be competing in the Derby for the fourth time in his career. He also took part in 2002, 2004 (finishing as the runner-up at his home ballpark, Minute Maid Park) and 2006. Morneau, a two-time A.L. All-Star, was a part of last year's field at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The remaining six participants will be competing in the Derby for the first time. Longoria will be just the sixth rookie ever to participate in the Derby.

NL, Bats, Age, 2008 homeruns, Career homeruns
Lance Berkman, HOU, S, 32, 28 (T-7th in NL), 281
Ryan Braun, MIL, R, 24, 23(T-4th in NL), 57
Dan Uggla, FLA, R, 28, 23(T-4th in NL), 81
Chase Utley, PHI, L, 29, 25(T-3rd in NL), 122

AL, Bats, Age, 2008 homeruns, Career homeruns
Josh Hamilton, TEX, L, 27, 21 (T-2nd in AL), 40
Evan Longoria, TB, R, 22, 16(T-14th in AL), 16
Justin Morneau, MIN, L, 27, 14(T-21st in AL), 124
Grady Sizemore, CLE, L, 25, 23(1st in AL), 101

The "Gold Ball" donation program will be included again in the State Farm Home Run Derby competition. For every home run that State Farm Home Run Derby participants hit during the competition after their ninth out, Major League Baseball and State Farm will combine to donate $17,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the official charity of Major League Baseball. The $17,000 represents each of the State Farm agents across the United States and Canada.

This year's event will feature two new additions, the State Farm and MLB Call Your Shot promotion and the MLB and State Farm Boys & Girls Club Player Match-Up.

Bennett Hayes of Brimfield, Illinois is the grand prize winner of the State Farm and Call Your Shot promotion and will be on the field during the Derby to call a memorable home run shot at Yankee Stadium. In addition to the on-field event, Hayes won round trip air transportation and first class hotel accommodations for four to New York, four tickets to the State Farm Home Run Derby and MLB All-Star Game and several other New York-themed prizes.

Prior to the final round of the State Farm Home Run Derby, Hayes will join the two State Farm Home Run Derby finalists and will choose the spot where the sluggers will try to deliver a home run. A coin toss will determine which MLB player gets the first crack at the called shot. If either player delivers a home run to the called field, Hayes will take home a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid vehicle and a 2009 MLB ticket package ... and a lifetime of memories from the ultimate baseball experience.

Each Derby participant will also be paired with a teenager from a New York area Boys & Girls Club, with the winning player securing a $50,000 Teen Center for the local Boys & Girls Club for the teen with whom he is paired, compliments of State Farm. Boys & Girls Club members paired with non-winning Derby participants will be awarded $10,000 toward a Teen Center for their clubs.

"The caliber of players that are participating in this year's State Farm Home Run Derby is outstanding," said Mark Gibson, assistant vice president of advertising for State Farm. "We look forward to a high energy event for the fans and some friendly rivalries developing between the professional players. We wish all the players the best of luck and hope to see a record number of gold balls in the stands."

The 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, being held at Yankee Stadium in its final season, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. (EDT). The 2008 All-Star Game will be preceded by FOX's coverage of the 2008 All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade presented by Chevy along Sixth Avenue in Manhattan at 7 p.m. (EDT). ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the 208 All-Star Game that will also be available on XM Satellite Radio, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage. For the sixth consecutive year, the outcome of the All-Star Game will have an impact on postseason play, as the winning League in this year's All-Star Game will have home-field advantage in the 2008 World Series.


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Hitters looking to drive ball out at Derby

NEW YORK -- The State Farm Home Run Derby comes to Yankee Stadium for the first time on Monday night and it couldn't have happened at a better time.

"How appropriate that it [and the All-Star Game] should be here in the stadium's 85th and final year?" said Hal Steinbrenner, the chairman of Yankee Global Enterprises and the younger son of George, the team's longtime owner and patriarch. "The Home Run Derby is going to be exciting and I know that people will be trying to hit it out of here, be the first to hit it out of here -- and good luck with that.

"I don't know if that's a reality or not, but I'm sure one or two of the participants will be trying. Obviously it will be a huge endeavor."

The Derby field is complete with the addition this weekend of Rays rookie sensation Evan Longoria and Twins first baseman Justin Morneau. Longoria and Morneau join the Rangers' Josh Hamilton and the Indians' Grady Sizemore as the American League representatives. The Astros' Lance Berkman, the Brewers' Ryan Braun, the Marlins' Dan Uggla and the Phillies' Chase Utley will compete for the National League.

Morneau is the only repeater from last year's event in San Francisco's AT&T Park, which was won by the Angels' Vladimir Guerrero over Alex Rios of the Blue Jays. Morneau lost a five-pitch playoff against the Cards' Albert Pujols and didn't make it past the first round.

For Berkman, this will be his fourth Home Run Derby. Although he's never won, his results have run the gamut from uneventful in 2002 to spectacular in 2004, when he was defeated in his own home park by Miguel Tejada, then with the Orioles, who finished with a flurry. Berkman also called himself "a complete non-factor" in 2006 when he hit three and was out after the first round.

Berkman has the most career homers of any of this year's contestants -- 281. The other six are all first-timers in the Derby.

ESPN's All-Star Game programming will be highlighted by the Home Run Derby at 8 p.m. ET on Monday.

The 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the last to be played at the current Yankee Stadium -- which closes at the end of this season -- will be televised nationally by FOX, also with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

It also will be shown live in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International.

Steinbrenner is quite right about hitting the ball out of Yankee Stadium -- it's never been accomplished fair under any configuration.

The original stadium, which opened in 1923, didn't have upper decks that extended past the foul lines. Still, even the great Babe Ruth, the left-handed Sultan of Swat, couldn't put it over the back bleacher wall in right field.

Forty years later, with the upper decks extended to their current positions jutting out to left- and right-centers and the roof still on the original structure, Mickey Mantle came the closest to hitting it out.

Mantle, the most powerful switch-hitting slugger in Major League history, twice hit the frieze just beneath the roof in right field.

Since the stadium was refurbished and reopened in 1976, no one has even come close.

In the Derby, it would be very tough for the four left-handed hitters: Sizemore, Hamilton, Morneau and Utley.

"It's really short down the right-field line, and I'm a left-handed hitter," Sizemore said. "Whoever feels good that day will have the best opportunity that day."

Berkman, a switch-hitter who could obviously bat left-handed to shoot for the short right-field porch, said he won't do so because he doesn't want to disturb his swing. Houston's Minute Maid Park has a short right-field porch with a high wall.

"I work the entire year on not pulling the ball in batting practice left-handed," Berkman said. "So my swing is just more up the middle, up the middle, up the middle. Now, to have to all of a sudden have to pull the ball, I don't want to do that. Whereas right-handed, I naturally pull the ball anyway, so it's much easier for me to just turn it loose right-handed than it is left-handed during batting practice."

But the feat of hitting it out of the stadium would be impossible for the righty swingers -- Uggla, Braun and Longoria -- because left to left-center is the deepest part of the ballpark, with the back wall alone behind Monument Park well over 500 feet from home plate.

Hitting it out of the building, though, is not the criteria for Uggla, who was selected for the 2006 All-Star Game, but didn't play.

"I grew up watching the Home Run Derby," he said. "I think a lot more people watch the Home Run Derby than they do the game. It's just a special thing. It's a time to relax, have fun with each other. You can see a guy hit the ball a long way. This is one thing I never dreamed I'd ever be in."

Every ballpark has its quirks. Last year, left-handed Derby competitors aimed for "splash hits" into McCovey Cove -- just behind a 24-foot brick wall and small bleacher section in right field. But no one dropped it into the Cove fair.

Two year's ago when the Phils' Ryan Howard defeated the Mets' David Wright, contestants in Pittsburgh's PNC Park zeroed in on the Allegheny River just beyond the right-field bleachers. And a number of shots hit the drink.

But hitting it out of Yankee Stadium? Don't expect it.

"You really don't know how you're going to feel until your name is announced," said Hamilton, who has competed in Home Runs Derbies in the Minor Leagues. "It's going to be exciting and nerve-wracking until you get that first one, if you get that first one. But it always looked like fun watching it on television."


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Ness: Handicapping the MLB Home Run Derby

I was asked to do a preview of MLB's Home Run Derby (something I typically don't do) but jumped at the opportunity. Being somewhat "old school," when I think Home Run Derby, I think of the 1959 TV show held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. It featured some of the sluggers in MLB, squaring off against each other in nine-inning HR contests (a HR was a run and anything else an out, including a swing and a miss). I used watch the show in reruns during the '60s with my boyhood friend Peter and then we'd go out in my backyard with a whiffle ball and bat and recreate the setting.

The show was hosted by then-Hollywood Stars broadcaster Mark Scott and was contested at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles (yes, there was one there, too) Seven players who would eventually join MLB's 500-HR club appeared appeared. That select group included Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Harmon Killebrew, Mickey Mantle, Eddie Mathews, Willie Mays and Frank Robinson. In all, nine future Hall of Famers participated. The seven already listed, as well as Al Kaline and Duke Snider.

While one player was taking his turn at bat, the other player would be engage Scott in "small talk." Scott was as hokey as they come and MLB players of that day were hardly media-savvy. The weekly winner received $2,000 and was invited back for the next week's episode against a new opponent (the runner-up received $1,000). Bonuses of $500 were paid for three HRs in a row, a fourth HR was worth another $500 and any consecutive HR hit after that would each be worth $1,000 per.

I guess you have to be from that era to really appreciate it. Hank Aaron held the record for most money won on Home Run Derby ($13,500) and won six consecutive wins contests. Jackie Jensen was the only player to hit four and five HRs in a row and the entire series lasted just 26 contests. Host Mark Scott died in 1960 from a heart attack and the producers decided not to replace him and the show was canceled.

However, as with every walk of life, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." This TV series helped inspire the current Home Run Derby, which is contested the day before MLB's annual All-Star game. The contest began in 1985 (Pittsburgh's Dave Parker won) and has been held each year since, except for 1988 when it was canceled due to rain. Ken Griffey, Jr. is the event's only multiple winner, winning in 1994 and its lone repeat champ, winning in '98 and '99.

Vladimir Guerrero won last year but is not in this year's competition so Griffey's record is safe. Bobby Abreu, then with the Phillies, had a 24-HR first round in 2005, on his way to hitting 41 HRs, the most by any player. This year's competition is being held at Yankee Stadium, in the final season of "The House That Ruth Built" (new Yankee Stadium opens next year, right next door). Fittingly, the date is July 14 (7/14). One could write the date this way, 7-1-4 (Babe's career HR total). I saw this on a blog somewhere, but don't remember where (congrats to the author).

Now to this year's competition. As of Sunday morning, there was still one spot open, as the selection process for this year's Derby has taken longer than the Democratic primary. From the AL it's Josh Hamilton (Texas), Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay) and Grady Sizemore (Cleveland) plus a player to be named later (hopefully by Monday night). In the NL, it's Lance Berkman (Houston), Ryan Braun (Milwaukee), Dan Uggla (Florida) and Chase Utley (Philadelphia).

These are not exactly marquee names, as many players feel as if this competition hurts them. Conventional wisdom says that the constant swinging for home runs causes bad mechanics that are difficult to shake. The "poster boy" for this thinking is Bobby Abreu, who set a record with 41 HRs in the 2005 event in Detroit. He came into the Derby hitting .307 with 18 home runs but hit just .260 with six HRs the rest of the season. Is there any real truth to this? As you can see, I'm not so sure the facts back up the "theory."

A few days ago, Mel Antonen of USA TODAY wrote an article on the Derby and included was the below list.

Year Champion, team 1st half 2nd half Total

2000 Sammy Sosa, Cubs 23 27 50

2001 Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks 35 22 57

2002 Jason Giambi, Yankees 22 19 41

2003 Garret Anderson, Angels 22 7 29

2004 Miguel Tejada, Orioles 15 19 34

2005 Bobby Abreu, Phillies 18 6 24

2006 Ryan Howard, Phillies 28 30 58

2007 Vladimir Guerrero, Angels 14 13 27

As you can see, I'm not so sure the facts back up the "theory." So how does one handicap this thing? Here's my thoughts. First of all, a quick check of the past winners tell us that just two middle-infielders have won, Ryne Sandberg in 1990 (just a one round event in which he won with three HRs) and Miguel Tejada in 2004, who hit 27 HRs in a competition which featured the current format of three rounds. With that in mind, I'm dropping the two secondbasemen in the contest, Uggla and Utley.

Without a full field yet, no lines have been posted. However, I do know that in the past, most sportsbooks will make either the defending champ the favorite or the HR leader from the first half of the current season. That doesn't help us this year, as Guerrero ('07 champ) is not in this year's field and Ryan Howard (28 HRs), the majors' leading HR hitter as of Sunday morning, did not make this year's game. Utley (25 HRs) has the most HRs of any player in the competition (entering Sunday's play).

I've already eliminated him but I'll add that no player who led the first half in HRs has won the Derby or even made the final, over the last five contests. What I'm looking for is a guy who really "wants to win." My first choice is Houston's Lance Berkman. While so many guys want no part of this contest, Berkman is back for the fourth time in since 2002, as he's seemingly on the "every other year" plan. He hit just two HRs in '02, had 21 in '04 (losing to Tejada in the finals, 5-4) and had only three HRs in '06. I'm betting this is his year.

My second-choice is Josh Hamilton of the Rangers. His off-the-field troubles in the past have been well-documented but he's had a terrific first-half. In fact, I'd be surprised if he isn't the betting (and fan) favorite. Heading into's Sunday's play, Hamilton is hitting .314 with 21 HRs and 95 RBI (all-time record for RBI at the All-Star break is 103, held by Hank Greenberg in 1935). How can't Hamilton be the fan favorite, after the following story hit the AP wires a few days ago?

Clay Council (71-years-old), who helped Josh Hamilton develop his batting stroke as a 13-year-old, was invited by Hamilton to pitch to him in this year's HR Derby. When Hamilton's brother Cary played American Legion ball for Council in the 1990s, Hamilton would join in batting practice. Council still throws batting practice for Cary's American Legion team and says he will be making just his second trip to Yankee Stadium. According to Council, he claims his first visit was when Don Larsen pitched a perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.

Who am I to argue with that kind of karma? I'm calling for a Hamilton/Berkman final but I'm sticking with Berkman to win. Enjoy the three-day break.

 

[ACE-ACE]

MLB – All Star Preview
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Lawence’s MLB All-Star weekend betting preview

When Yankee Stadium plays host to the 2008 MLB All-Star Game in the Bronx this Tuesday it will not only will the pride of the Yankees be on the line but also an 11-game unbeaten streak for the American League as well.

And should the A.L. continue its mastery of the N.L. they will earn home field advantage in the 2008 World Series, once again lending legitimacy to this year’s contest.

Let’s take a visit back in All-Star history and see if we can’t recall some of the more memorable moments in this classic event.

The tradition of the All-Star Game carries back to 1933, its inaugural campaign. While it was Ted Williams’ contention that the “All-Star Game was invented for Willie Mays,” the truth of the matter is it was more likely designed to showcase the talents of legendary Babe Ruth.

"We wanted to see the Babe. Sure, he was old and had a big waistline, but that didn't make any difference. We were on the same field as Babe Ruth," exclaimed Wild Bill Hallahan, the N.L. starter in the 1933 classic.

LET THE STREAKS BEGIN
When the American League defeated the National League, 4-2, at Comiskey Park in Chicago in the inaugural game in 1933 it was the start of a 12-4 series edge for the Junior Circuit. It wasn’t until 1950 when the Senior Circuit finally put a halt to the A.L’s dominance when they went on to win 7 of the next 8 All-Star games.

The two leagues basically traded wins from 1957-62 with the American League holding a slight 5-4-1 series advantage. That, however, is when things got interesting.

From 1963-1987 the National League beat the American League like a red-headed stepchild when it laid a 22-2 series pounding on the Juniors, winning 11 in a row at one point from 1972-1983.

The A.L finally countered from 1988-93, when the captured six All-Star win a row, only to the see the N.L. win three straight from 1994-96.

Since then, however, it’s been all American as the Junior Circuit takes the aforementioned 10-0-1 streak into battle this year.

ALL-STAR SCORING
Scoring the All-Star game has been fairly stable, with an upturn in run production of late. Here are the combined scoring averages of RPG (Runs Per Game) played each decade:

1930s – 7.9 RPG with two double-digit games
1940s – 9.0 RPG with three double-digit games
1950s – 9.5 RPG with five double-digit games
1960s – 7.0 RPG with four double-digit games
1970s – 9.5 RPG with four double-digit games
1980s – 6.5 RPG with one double-digit game
1990s – 9.5 RPG with four double-digit games
2000s – 10.0 RPG with four double-digit games

As you can see the ‘60s and ‘80s were low scoring decades. The bottom line, though, is this: in the history of the All-Star Game there have been 29 games that have played to a combined total of 10 or more runs while 51 games have played to a combined total of 9 or less runs.

RECORD SETTERS
A stroll down memory lane finds the following All-Star record holders:

Hitters –
Most At Bats – Willie Mays (75)
Best Batting Average – Derek Jeter (.700)
Most Home Runs – Stan Musial (6)
Most RBIs – Ted Williams (12)
Best Slugging Percentage – Steve Garvey (.821)
Most Strikeouts – Mickey Mantle (17)

Pitchers –
Most Wins – Lefty Gomez (3)
Most Appearances – Roger Clemens (9)
Most Innings Pitched – Don Drysdale (19.3)
Most Strikeouts – Don Drysdale (19)
Most Walks – Jim Palmer (7)
Most Runs Allowed – Whitey Ford (13)

HOME RUN DERBY
Officially introduced in 1985, the All-Star Home Run Derby has become a fan favorite, despite the fact that it’s the contention of many players that it destroys the swing of many contestants during the second-half of the season after the event.

The most HRs in any one event was 41, set by Bobby Abreu in 2005. he fewest recorded by any Home Run Derby champion, since 1995, was 15 by Frank Thomas in 1995.

Last year Vladimir Guerrero of the Angles took home the honors when he dialed up 17 long distance swats to edge Alex Rios.

Ironically, one one performer has been a multiple Home Run Derby champion – Ken Griffey Jr., in 1994 and 1999.

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There you have it. A brief overview on the American Classic, the MLB All-Star Game. In closing, my favorite quote from Hall of Famer Lefty Grove, holder of career All-Star pitching records for games started and games won. Grove put it best when he said, “"The secret of my success was clean living and a fast moving outfield."

 

[ACE-ACE]

MLB – All-Star Wagering
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All-Star Betting Breakdown

Major League Baseball has one helluva long season; we’ve seen teams play somewhere in the neighborhood of 90-something games and we’re only at the All-Star break!

While a majority of players will have Monday to Wednesday off, the few, the proud will descend upon Yankee Stadium in the Bronx for the 79th Midsummer Classic, MLB’s All-Star game.

Let’s take a look at both the National League and home side American League.

Although the NL has the longest winning streak in All-Star game history, with 11-straight victories extending from 1972-1982, the AL is currently on a hot streak of its own, boasting an 11-game unbeaten streak, which includes a controversial 7-7 tie in 2002.

NL and Colorado Rockies’ manager Clint Hurdle will have a number of fireballers to choose from, including current MLB win leader and Arizona Diamondback starter, Brandon Webb (13 wins).

The D-backs hit the ground running grabbing nine straight wins in Webb’s first nine starts of this season but he seems to have bottomed out a bit.

In his last 10 starts, Webb has gone 5-5, although Arizona has gone 3-0 in his last three starts and his last start at Yankee Stadium resulted in a 4-1 loss.

Another arm that Hurdle can rely on at the All-Star game is someone whom he is quite familiar with, the Rockies’ Aaron Cook.

The righty has lived up to his last name when he starts this season as Colorado is 12-7 this year when Cook takes the mound and in fact, the Rockies have taken a majority of Unders in the same situation, going 7-11-1 on the Over/Under this season.

The NL rotation also features a number of Cubs—seven Cubs were named to the NL All-Star team overall—including 10 game winner Ryan Dempster.

Dempster worked his way back into the starting rotation after a long stint coming out of the Bullpen and the Cubs have gone 14-5 in his starts this season.

Like Webb, Dempster’s last outing in the Bronx resulted in a loss (6-2) but that was all the way back in 2000.

Boston Red Sox and AL manager Terry Francona will also have some talented pitchers to choose from, this is the All-Star game after all.

Making his first appearance in an All-Star game, the L.A. Angels’ Joe Saunders, who just happens to be the AL’s win leader with 12, started the season off on fire as the Angels went 7-0 in his first seven starts but, like Webb, has leveled off.

After the seven game hot streak, the Angels have gone 6-5 in Saunders’ subsequent starts and in his last 20 starts he has gone 8-11-1 on the Over/Under.

Saunders last game in the Bronx was a 7-4 win.

Unlike Saunders, the Toronto Blue Jays’ Roy Halladay is a veteran of the All-Star game with five appearances under his belt.

This season Halladay has gone 10-8 but has been more profitable as of late as the Jays have gone 7-3 in his last 10.

A seasoned veteran of the AL East, the same division the Yankees play in, Halladay has played many games in the Bronx and has a 9-6 record at Yankee Stadium.

Enjoy the upcoming All-Star game.

 

[ACE-ACE]

MLB – Break from the Games
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R. Ross

There have been 78 All-Star Games since the Summer Classic was first held in 1933. The series is now dead-even at 38 wins apiece and two ties thanks to the A.L.'s 5-4 win last year at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco. It was the 10th win in a row for the Junior Circuit. The streak includes a 3-2 2006 win at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, a 7-5 win in Detroit in 2005 and a 9-4 win in Houston in 2004.

The last time the A.L. did not win was the 2002 game that was called a 7-7 tie after 11 innings when both clubs ran out of pitchers and players. Joe Torre was the mis-manager in that one for the A.L. and I don't recall who the N.L. guy was. The other tie came in the second game in 1961 that was also halted by an act of God (rain) rather than by an act of Bud. The score was 1-1 after nine innings when that one was halted.

And, yes, it was the second All-Star Game of that year. In the years 1959-62 there were two All-Star Games held each year; one in a National League park and one in an American League park. In 1963 that experiment was discontinued and Major League baseball went back to one All-Star Game per season. Too bad. Maybe they should play two, as Ernie Banks would say. I'm already on record as saying the ASG should go to 40-man rosters like they do during September call-up time so that no player will be left (behind) off the team and we can end all the squabbling over who should be on the team, who got snubbed, etc.

1961 was also the year that the National League began a tear that saw them win 19 of the next 20 All-Star Games. In fact, the history of the All-Star Game has been one of streaks or of dominance by one league or the other.

First it was the American League; winners of 12 of the first 16 All-Star Games from 1933-1949. The National League then made a comeback and won 6-of-7 from 1950-56. Then it was the American League winning five-of-six from 1957 through the second game in 1960.

The 20-year dominance of the National League from 1963-82 has already been mentioned; if not for a 6-4 loss in the 1971 All-Star Game the National League would have won 20 in a row! The American League finally broke through with a win in 1983, the National League won three of the next four, and then the AL won six straight from 1988-93. The National League then won three in a row but that was snapped by the AL's win at Jacobs Field in Cleveland 1997. The AL's streak, as mentioned, is now 10.

Thus playing the winner of the All-Star Game to win again the next game (in most cases the following year but not so in the All-Star Game "double-header" years) would have resulted in a record of 49 wins and 26 losses: 65.3% winners!

In addition, playing teams (or leagues) on streaks in the All-Star Game has been a wise move; leagues with two straight wins in the All-Star Game are 9-4 in the third game (69.2%), leagues with three straight wins are 6-3 (66.7%) in Game Four, and leagues with four straight wins are 4-2 (66.7%) in Game Five.

Most handicappers, to be sure, will give more weight to the rosters and pitching staffs but the history of the game can't be overlooked. Home field has meant a little something in the All-Star Game. Home teams are 44-32-2 (57.9%) for a record nearly comparable to our playing the team that won last year to win again this year angle above. In addition, if recent inter-league results are any indication the AL looks to be the stronger league. The NL might be at some slight disadvantage in having more teams (16-to-14) and having to take a player from every team: might the manager then have to take a player from team 15 or 16 that he might not ordinarily choose and leave out a better or more situational player (a left-handed pitcher or bat, say) from a better team? There is some slim chance that might happen.

Also note that All-Star teams coming off a win and playing at home (a home league field) are 26-8 (76.4%) while, conversely, teams coming off a loss and going out on the road are 8-26 (23.6%). For future reference, teams coming off a win and playing on the road are 25-16 (60.9%) the following season while those coming off a loss and playing at home are 16-25 (39.1%).

As for the total on the game again a look at past history might be enlightening. The following chart shows the number of runs scored in each game of All-Star Game history, sans one. The 1952 All-Star Game was called by rain after five innings and so would not have been official for wagering purposes.

All Star Scoring History

# of Runs # of Occurrences
........1.............1
........2.............2
........3.............4
........4.............6
........5.............8
........6.............6
........7.............6
........8.............8
........9.............8
.......10............3
.......11............6
.......12............6
.......13............3
.......14............1
.......15............1
.......16............2
.......17............0
.......18............1
.......19............1
.......20............1
.......21............1

The total number of runs scored in the 77 All-Star Games listed above is 656; a mean (or average) of 8.5 runs per game. The median score in the All-Star Game is 8; half the time teams have scored 8 runs or less, half the time they have scored 8 runs or more. Notice that is 8 runs or more, not 9; the number of times the teams have scored eight runs in the All-Star Game (eight) caused the median to fall within that grouping.

To put it another way, 42 times the All-Star Game has seen eight runs or fewer scored while 35 times there have been nine runs or more. The most frequent outcomes have been eight and nine runs scored with eight occurrences apiece.

If the total comes in at 9 anyone wishing to win an over play will need 10 runs or more to be scored; that has happened 27 times in the 77 All-Star games above or 35% of the time.

And a final word about extra inning games. There have been 10 in All-Star Game history with the home team holding a 6-3-1 edge. The National League is undefeated in extra-inning All-Star Games; 9-0-1!

 

[ACE-ACE]

All-Star Game – Starting Pitchers
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Cliff Lee, Ben Sheets to start All-Star game

NEW YORK (AP) -Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets were picked as the starting pitchers for Tuesday night's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium. Oddsmakers have the AL listed as a -140 favorite with the total set at 10 runs.

Lee is 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA, a remarkable resurgence after the left-hander was demoted to the minors last season. He was chosen by American League manager Terry Francona of Boston.

''I'm just honored to be here, to be honest with you,'' Lee said Monday. ''To get the start is just icing on the cake. ... I'm kind of awe-struck by it.''

NL manager Clint Hurdle of Colorado tabbed Sheets, who is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. Several other National League All-Stars pitched Sunday, making the well-rested Sheets a logical choice.

''I've never been to Yankee Stadium so I'm going to try to take it all in and just enjoy myself,'' Sheets said.

Both managers announced their lineups Monday in the same Manhattan ballroom where the Mitchell Report on drugs in baseball was released seven months before.

Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki will bat leadoff for the AL, followed by Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Texas center fielder Josh Hamilton, New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez, Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez, Rangers designated hitter Milton Bradley, Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis, Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer and Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

Francona kept more than numbers in mind when putting together his batting order.

''To me, Derek Jeter deserves to hit second in a lineup like this, especially in this place,'' he said.

The manager also acknowledged he thought about whether to honor Yankees closer Mariano Rivera with the start in his home ballpark - but only because Francona was asked about it by reporters.

''Mariano Rivera may be the greatest reliever of all-time, but he's not a starter,'' Francona said. ''We will treat every player in this game with a lot of respect, certainly knowing that there are Yankees in this game - but other than that I think doing it correctly.''

Francona wouldn't commit to calling on Rivera to close out a ninth-inning lead, saying he didn't want to divulge his plans.

''I'm going to stick my neck out and say we'll prepare from him,'' Hurdle said.

Hurdle put Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez at the top of his order, followed by Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, Houston first baseman Lance Berkman, St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols at designated hitter, Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones, Colorado's Matt Holliday in right field, Milwaukee left fielder Ryan Braun, Chicago's Kosuke Fukudome in center and Cubs rookie catcher Geovany Soto.

''That's the best lineup I've ever written on paper. We'll see where it takes us,'' Hurdle said.

Sheets is set to become the first Brewers pitcher to start an All-Star game - three days before his 30th birthday. His most recent outing was last Wednesday, when he struck out 11 batters in six innings of a loss to the Rockies.

''Caught my eye,'' Hurdle said with a smile. ''I'm kind of smart like that.''

Hurdle said he looked closest at the All-Star pitchers who were voted in by players when he was deciding which one would get the start.

That group included Sheets, Chicago's Ryan Dempster, San Francisco's Tim Lincecum, Cincinnati's Edinson Volquez and Arizona's Brandon Webb. Dempster, Lincecum and Webb all started Sunday, while Volquez earned his 12th win Saturday.

Sheets' All-Star bonus doubled to $50,000 for being selected as the starting pitcher.

The 29-year-old Lee compiled a 0.67 ERA during his first seven starts. He was 18-5 in 2005 but went 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA last year, when he was optioned to the minors for more than a month.

''There's a lot of pitchers having outstanding years,'' Francona said, ''and none measured up to Cliff.''

The last Indians pitcher to start an All-Star game was Charles Nagy in 1996 at Philadelphia - the last time the National League won.

''We will attempt and make every effort to put a foot down and stop this slide,'' Hurdle said. ''We're not going to play for a tie.''

 

[ACE-ACE]

All-Star Game – American League Favored
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American League favored to continue dominance
P. Wells

The American League have owned their National League counterparts in Major League Baseball's version of the All-Star game, racking up ten wins and a tie over the past 11 summers. The American League will have home-field advantage this year at Yankee Stadium, which will be the fourth and final All-Star event to take place at the legendary stadium.

National League at American League – 8:00 PM ET

Milwaukee's Ben Sheets(10-3, 2.85) earned the nod over San Francisco's Tim Lincecumand Arizona's Brandon Webb, despite losing two of his final three starts before the break. However, that does not take the shine off of what has been a brilliant season for the oft-injured 29-year-old righthander, and many are waiting to see if he can stay healthy enough over the second half of the season as he forms an awesome one-two punch with the newly-acquired C.C. Sabathia in the Milwaukee rotation. Sheets' three complete games leads the National League, and he is sixth in the league in ERA.

Cleveland's Cliff Lee (12-2, 2.31) has been unstoppable this season, fighting off Toronto's Roy Halladay the starting spot. Lee, a 29-year-old southpaw, could be on his way to passing his great 2005 season when he racked up an 18-5 record. Ironically, Sabathia will play a role in Lee's second half as well, as the reigning Cy Young winner's move to Milwaukee makes Lee the unquestioned ace of the Cleveland staff. Lee's statistics this season have been almost unreal, as he is tied for first in wins with the Angels' Joe Saundersand second in ERA.

The American League are -140 favorites to take this contest, set against the backdrop of one of the most loved stadiums in all of sports. There may be more good pitchers in this game than at any point in recent history, so fans should not expect a shootout. The National League leads the overall series 40-36-2, but the American League's dominance over the past decade puts another spin on the always-interesting “Midsummer Classic”.