Master Index of Archived Threads


All-Star Game?

What's Your Interest in the All-Star Game?

Futures Game, Home Run Derby, first pitch to last out...I'm stuck in my Barcalounger	4 votes
I'll watch the game, it's a baseball tradition	7 votes
I'll watch the game, only to see how the Mets players are doing	2 votes
A great night to catch up on my TIVO'd programs, but I'll flip back for some scores	3 votes
It's an off day, I'll find something else to do	9 votes

Farmer Ted Jul 09 2007 06:25 AM

What's your interest in the mid-summer classic?

metirish Jul 09 2007 06:42 AM

I'll watch,I have yet to see an NL win. I'll watch the HR derby as well.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 09 2007 07:12 AM

Not at all interested. On Wednesday morning I'll check to see how the four Mets players did, and to see who won. But I haven't watched an All-Star Game since before the 1994 strike and I'd have to be desperately bored to ever watch one again.

Frayed Knot Jul 09 2007 07:15 AM

No interest in the HR derby. I always watch the AS Game but it's more of a casual watch, not one where I'm hanging on every pitch.

metirish Jul 09 2007 07:24 AM

I can't wait for the game,hearing Joe Buck calling the game is his own brilliant way,for you older people he must remind you of days of yore listening to the great voices of the past bringing you the mid-summer classic.....and Chris Berman doing the HR derby makes me quiver....back back baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

Edgy DC Jul 09 2007 07:24 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 09 2007 08:59 AM

It would certainly be more engaging without the hypersubstituting and with the starting pitcher allowed to go a meaningful distance of five or so innings. If form holds, I'll tune in and lose interest quickly.

seawolf17 Jul 09 2007 08:07 AM

Glued to the HR Derby tonight - love it! The game, we'll watch, but we also have the first season of Rome on DVD from the library, so we might watch that instead.

Johnny Dickshot Jul 09 2007 08:26 AM

Game is gonna have a hard time holding off "Top Chef" this week, but will prolly get my attention before/during commercials/after.

DocTee Jul 09 2007 08:29 AM

I find myself more interested in pre-season games than this exhibition. I enjoyed them as a kid-- now, not so much.

metirish Jul 09 2007 08:52 AM

DocTee wrote: I find myself more interested in pre-season games than this exhibition. I enjoyed them as a kid-- now, not so much. It's not what it used to be but it's hardly that boring,pre-season games are only good to me because it means the season is coming.

metirish Jul 09 2007 10:07 AM

] MLB bars ESPN from All-Star studio show THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN FRANCISCO -- ESPN won't be able to allowed to broadcast its "Baseball Tonight" show live from the All-Star game in San Francisco on Tuesday night. Major League Baseball limited ESPN's access this week after the cable network broke an embargo and announced the All-Star rosters before the end of a selection show on TBS. Fox is broadcasting the game, but ESPN traditionally has moved its "Baseball Tonight" crew from the studio in Bristol, Conn., to the site of the game. Karl Ravech, Steve Phillips and John Kruk instead will do the show this year from the studio. ESPN does have reporters on site who will file reports but will be treated like all other non-rightsholders. ESPN will be allowed to have a one-hour show from the ballpark before the network shows the Home Run Derby. "ESPN viewers will receive the same in-depth All-Star coverage they have come to expect," ESPN said in a statement. "We have a long and productive relationship with MLB that we value." Baseball spokesman Pat Courtney declined to comment. TBS was scheduled to announce the All-Star rosters on July 1 during a show from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. But an Atlanta Braves game preceding the show had a lengthy rain delay and went extra innings, prompting a delay. ESPN reported the NL starters, including San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds, before the show on TBS aired, using a vote list mistakenly released on The Associated Press wire. The AP sent an advisory after that transmission, saying the list was embargoed until after the TBS show. ESPN also revealed the entire rosters shortly after they were announced on TBS but before the end of the TBS show in violation of baseball's embargo. The platform built to house "Baseball Tonight" will be used by photographers instead.

Gwreck Jul 09 2007 11:06 AM

I voted for choice #1 (as the closest description, rather than it being accurate). I have always enjoyed the all-star game and continue to do so. I like the spectacle; I like that a player from every team is there (it certainly always gave me pleasure to root for the guy from "my team"); I like the ceremony and fanfare. Buck and McCarver are horrible, as is Berman, but I've had lots of practice on how to tune them out while still enjoying things. The Derby has probably become less fun over the past few years as it's moved from novelty to spectacle, but I still enjoy it. The game itself still holds a certain mythical attraction for me. How many hall-of-famers are playing in the same game? When the best closer and the best hitter face, what's going to happen? The homefield advantage thing is stupid, but I certainly remember how much I cared about the NL winning last year, as I thought it would be important. I've always loved the debates about who deserves to go and who doesn't. For reasons I can't entirely fathom, the All-Star game gets a lot of flak. It is an exhibition, after all.

Rockin' Doc Jul 09 2007 11:17 AM

As I generally do, I will casually watch the All Star game. I fthe game remains fairly close, I'll likely continue to watch, but if it becomes a one sided blow out I'll likely find something else to do with my time.

metirish Jul 09 2007 11:19 AM

Pujols has joined the HR derby,it's quite possible that he's looking to find his HR swing by joining this,he's mired in a HR funk right now.

Johnny Dickshot Jul 09 2007 11:21 AM

I just realized that the ASG isn't opn the same night as TChef, so I'm good.

OlerudOwned Jul 09 2007 11:25 AM

If I find (keyword is find, they never advertise it) the futures game, I'll watch that. Otherwise, I really just don't care. And actually, I just found out that the game was already played. See what I mean?

metsguyinmichigan Jul 09 2007 11:36 AM

I LOVE the All-Star Game. I think it's a thrill to see all the game's best players -- as well as the bastard Jeter -- in one place and in one game. I was able to attend the Home Run Derby/workout day/softball game in Cleveland in 1997, before the derby was a big deal. And I've been able to attend FanFests in Pittsburgh (1994), Cleveland, Milwaukee (2002), Chicago (2003) and Detroit (2005). I have a lot of near All-Star Game stuff, like a string of pennants dating back to the early 1980s, some of the banners they hang from street lights and a display of all the official balls. I know it's just an exhibition game, but it's something I got into when I was a kid in the 1970s -- when the NL could beat those Yankee-laden AL teams -- and I've kind of stuck with it ever since. Check out the FanFest when it comes to New York in a couple years. It's a lot of fun.

Vic Sage Jul 09 2007 11:38 AM

metirish wrote: Pujols has joined the HR derby...it's quite possible that he's looking to find his HR swing by joining this,he's mired in a HR funk right now. yeah, that worked out pretty well for D-Wright last year.

metirish Jul 09 2007 11:44 AM

Vic Sage wrote: ="metirish"]Pujols has joined the HR derby...it's quite possible that he's looking to find his HR swing by joining this,he's mired in a HR funk right now. yeah, that worked out pretty well for D-Wright last year. Wright was hitting great going into the HR derby last year,Pujols is not.

Gwreck Jul 09 2007 11:56 AM

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Check out the FanFest when it comes to New York in a couple years. It's a lot of fun. Next year, actually. I expect that it'll be at the Javits Center.

metirish Jul 09 2007 12:02 PM

Dan Haren and Jake Peavy are the starters.

Zvon Jul 09 2007 12:41 PM

I voted 1st pitch to last out, tho I dont care about the futures game. But the AllStar game is more than just tradition to me. Its like a rock concert that has 25 awsum bands! To me, its like Christmas in July, and I find it kind of ironic that the game has somewhat gone the way of Christmas as far as overdone commercialism. In the case of the game though - it really is a showcase for baseball. And it really should be overdone.

Edgy DC Jul 09 2007 01:04 PM

But, as a showcase, doesn't it fail in it's purpose by not representing a baseball game at all? My position gets little support, so I'll throw it out there again. Give the players a full fucking week off. We'll get our vactions in without worrying about missing ball. We'll long for baseball to the point where there'll almost be a second opening-day atomosphere when the season re-starts. Wounded folks will heal. In return for selected players not getting the week off, put their families up in Grade-A accomdations. Treat 'em like gold. Play three All-Star games, with the tie-breaker on a weekend. Set them in them three nearby cities on alternating days --- i.e. Tuesday at Miller Field, Thursday at Wrigley, Saturday at Comerica. --- that way children don't grow old waiting for their team to host an All-Star game. Like I did. Play competitively, by leaving the starting pitchers in for five, and the starting players in for the full game unless stragegy demands otherwise. Three pitchers in each league usually deserve the start anyhow. Reserves get their chance to shine by getting starts thrown to them in Games Two and Three, not by endless and unscoreable substitutions that, rather than give everybody a chance to shine, more typically gives nobody a chance to shine --- and ruins the game to boot. Have the players play for a big pot o' money --- 75% to the winners, 25% to the losers. Have an equal pot go to the charitable institution choice of the players.

DocTee Jul 09 2007 01:23 PM

]I can't wait for the game,hearing Joe Buck calling the game is his own brilliant way,for you older people he must remind you of days of yore listening to the great voices of the past bringing you the mid-summer classic.....and Chris Berman doing the HR derby makes me quiver....back back baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack Look at Irish taking the piss

Zvon Jul 09 2007 01:31 PM

Edgy DC wrote: But, as a showcase, doesn't it fail in it's purpose by not representing a baseball game at all? My position gets little support, so I'll throw it out there again. Give the players a full fucking week off. We'll get our vactions in without worrying about missing ball. We'll long for baseball to the point where there'll almost be a second opening-day atomosphere when the season re-starts. Wounded folks will heal. In return for selected players not getting the week off, put their families up in Grade-A accomdations. Treat 'em like gold. Play three All-Star games, with the tie-breaker on a weekend. Set them in them three nearby cities on alternating days --- i.e. Tuesday at Miller Field, Thursday at Wrigley, Saturday at Comerica. --- that way children don't grow old waiting for their team to host an All-Star game. Like I did. Play competitively, by leaving the starting pitchers in for five, and the starting players in for the full game unless stragegy demands otherwise. Three pitchers in each league usually deserve the start anyhow. Reserves get their chance to shine by getting starts thrown to them in Games Two and Three, not by endless and unscoreable substitutions that, rather than give everybody a chance to shine, more typically gives nobody a chance to shine --- and ruins the game to boot. Have the players play for a big pot o' money --- 75% to the winners, 25% to the losers. Have an equal pot go to the charitable institution choice of the players. I like all those suggestions. The tie breaker scenario is kool, but would only apply in years when the 1st two games are split. If they did ever go to three games, they'd never allow it to be a best of three, for fear of losing gate on that 3rd game. And I know you didnt pose it as a best of three series. Im just saying. I like the idea cuz for me the more baseball, the merrier I am. The week off also brings into discussion the possibliity of going back to a 154 game season. But Id much rather baseball went back to double headers--the kind where you got two games for the price of one. Some aspects of what has been done to the game today, like split double headers, really makes me puke. Like they dont make enough $$ already. (its not the fans fault they pay players so much money. Yet, they pay for it) And if I remember right, real double headers used to do just fine attendance wise, because everyone loves a deal like that. Especially families and kids. ( I remember walking from Lefrak City, thru Flushing Meadows, with my friends to Shea for double headers. We all had our gloves and would play catch as we went :) ) Maybe they feel people today dont have the attention span (they might even think this in terms of a single baseball game these days) to sit through two entire games. I think MLBs wrong in that regard, though Im a diehard baseball fan,...old schoolstyle. Maybe Im wrong.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 09 2007 01:36 PM

="Zvon"]I like the idea cuz for me the more baseball, the merrier I am. The week off also brings into discussion the possibliity of going back to a 154 game season. I'd rather see 162 games than 154. The week off in the middle of the season is excessive. I much prefer real games to meaningless exhibitions. Three days is fine, the players deserve a break. But I think less is more. If nobody's watching one All-Star Game, why would they watch three? For a few years in the 1960's there were two. I'm not aware of the exact reasons why they decided to do that, nor why they decided to abandon the idea so quickly.

Edgy DC Jul 09 2007 01:38 PM

Yeah, they'd make up for lost time with a handful of Sunday doubleheaders, and there's a lot of benefits to that. If one team claims the first two games, there's always drama in going for/averting the sweep. If there isn't enough, make the pot sweeter for the sweeper.

Edgy DC Jul 09 2007 01:40 PM

="Yancy Street Gang"] If nobody's watching one All-Star Game, why would they watch three? Because the one game sucks (although it's certainly untrue that nobody's watching), and the new format cancels out a lot of the blemishes of the one-game format. The world is bigger, the league is bigger, the player pool is bigger, the rosters are bigger, and it's all impossible to fit into one game. As you say, more baseball beats less baseball. We just have to find a way to make the All-Star Game --- excuse me, All-Star Series --- look like baseball again.

Zvon Jul 09 2007 01:43 PM

There were 2 way back in the Babes day too. I think Edgy has a point--one week w/o real baseball during the summer would feel like a whole winter, and it would rejuice fan interest. I know I would be jonesin and couldnt wait for baseball to resume. Its a looooong season. It needs a shot in the ass, pardon the analogy. I too would always favor a 162 game season, but its a summer (warm climate) type of game and time is a bitch.

metirish Jul 09 2007 01:44 PM

WOW.....

Benjamin Grimm Jul 09 2007 01:48 PM

="Edgy DC"] As you say, more baseball beats less baseball. We just have to find a way to make the All-Star Game --- excuse me, All-Star Series --- look like baseball again. You may be right. I wouldn't watch anyway, but you can't go by me. After all, I don't watch the World Series either, and those games certainly do count.

G-Fafif Jul 09 2007 01:57 PM

Edgy DC wrote: We'll get our vactions in without worrying about missing ball. This is at odds with just about every summer vacation plan of mine revolving around visiting a major league ballpark.

metirish Jul 09 2007 01:57 PM

Willie Mays will be honored before the game with a televised tribute ,that will be worth tuning into .

G-Fafif Jul 09 2007 01:58 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: For a few years in the 1960's there were two. I'm not aware of the exact reasons why they decided to do that, nor why they decided to abandon the idea so quickly. 1959-1962 had two each to beef up the pension pool. It began to lose its luster so they scaled back.

G-Fafif Jul 09 2007 02:02 PM

My interest in the 2007 All-Star Game is higher in anticipation of it than it will be while it is taking place. It's one of those events that I get excited about until it's actually going on, but I usually stick with it, albeit with not a little flipping (the remote, not the bird, save for when Jeter is being endlessly and nauseatingly sucked up to). I was one of those kids who lived for the introductions and the insertion of the token Met and I guess I still am at heart. If the fans as a whole are thoughtful enough to put three of our boys in the lineup, I sure as hell will be there to cheer them on.

Edgy DC Jul 09 2007 02:17 PM

G-Fafif wrote: ="Edgy DC"]We'll get our vactions in without worrying about missing ball. This is at odds with just about every summer vacation plan of mine revolving around visiting a major league ballpark. A fine tribute to Mrs. Fafif. Some of us are so lucky only in part.

G-Fafif Jul 09 2007 11:43 PM

Edgy DC wrote: A fine tribute to Mrs. Fafif. Thus my recurring chants of "MVP!" when she walks into the room.

Johnny Dickshot Jul 10 2007 11:24 AM

]I was one of those kids who lived for the introductions and the insertion of the token Met and I guess I still am at heart. My hi-lite reel is full of that play too.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 10 2007 11:28 AM

I was too when I was a kid. I LOVED it that Lee Mazzilli hit a homer in the All-Star game. On the other hand, I had forgotten until today that David Wright hit one last year. In so many ways I'm not the fan I used to be.

Edgy DC Jul 10 2007 11:33 AM

Sure, but the game ain't what it used to be. Plus we didn't need that Wright homer for our self-respect nearly as much as we needed that Mazzilli homer. In the same way that Henderson game stands out today in a greater way than a similar walkoff from 2005. But sure, that which hits you when you're a kid stays with you.

Batty31 Jul 10 2007 12:55 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: I was too when I was a kid. I LOVED it that Lee Mazzilli hit a homer in the All-Star game. On the other hand, I had forgotten until today that David Wright hit one last year. In so many ways I'm not the fan I used to be. I have fond memories of the Mazzilli HR...and it happened on my birthday which made it even more magical for me. One of my fondest Met memories from my youth. When I was a kid I looked forward to every All Star Game. Now I tune in for maybe an hour at the most. It's really sad to see how much the All Star Game has lost its meaning.

Centerfield Jul 10 2007 01:31 PM

I loved it as a kid. And I think part of the reason was the chance to see players from the AL that I never got a chance to watch. This was before Sportscenter, and MLB Extra Innings, and interleague play. I remember rooting very hard for Gooden to mow down the AL in '86 and being very disappointed he got the loss. With all the good that happened that year, I felt like Gooden let me down a lot that year. I guess it was a harbinger of things to come. When Piazza was the on the team, I remember watching to make sure he didn't get hurt and turning it off the minute he was subbed out. Last year, with a very Met-ly team, was the first time I watched the whole game since the 80's. I might catch some of it tonight. Or I might not.

SteveJRogers Jul 10 2007 02:57 PM

I have a Journalism class tonight "Freelancing, For Fun And Profit" but I am Tivo-ing it, mostly just to see the introductions and fastforward to the Metly actions. Hopefully Reyes (well all of the guys) make it out without any injuries =;)

SteveJRogers Jul 10 2007 03:00 PM

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Check out the FanFest when it comes to New York in a couple years. It's a lot of fun. I don't know how the recent Chicago ones have been, but there had better be Met representation and its not all Yankee-centric next year. I will go to that, but staying far away from the game, derby, futures game, ect.

Johnny Dickshot Jul 10 2007 04:50 PM

I think I've mentioned before that I was a volunteer woker bee at Fan Fest 96 (?) in Philadelphia. Worked one of the booths where kids pitched to a video image of a batter, got insanely sick from coming into contact with 4,000 little kids an hour. There was no pay nor free tix to the ASG. Well, I think there was a lottery of workers where one or two could win tixx IIRC.