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Gary Carter in the news.
All-star night for Canada
Jul 17, 2008 04:30 AM
Richard Griffin
thestar.com
NEW YORK–Despite the fact the All-Star Game was played in the Bronx, in the hearts of Canadians it was a tremendous week, culminating in the dramatic walk-off sacrifice fly by Michael Young that scored New Westminster, B.C.'s Justin Morneau for a 4-3 American League win. The length of the game was a record four hours and 50 minutes and it tied at 15 the standard for all-star innings set in 1967.
Morneau, the Twins' slugging first baseman, in addition to scoring the game winner, had bested the awesomely talented Josh Hamilton in the Home Run Derby on Monday night and then in the game itself went 2-for-4, with two runs, a double and a walk in relief of Kevin Youkilis.
Three other Canadians had a fine time in the Big Apple as well. Gregarious Cubs starter Ryan Dempster, a native of Sechelt, B.C., was not even sure he would have a chance to pitch, but entered in the ninth inning and struck out the side – Ian Kinsler, Dioner Navarro and J.D. Drew. Dempster had had a previous kick at the all-star can in 2000, as a member of the Marlins, but did not get into that game.
Montreal's Russell Martin demonstrated his huge defensive skills in relief of starting catcher Geovany Soto. In addition to a line-drive single off Yankee Stadium hero Mariano Rivera in the 10th and a perfect sacrifice bunt in the 12th, the Dodgers catcher gunned down Kinsler trying to steal in the 11th.
Martin scooped a difficult short-hop throw from centre fielder Nate McLouth and blocked home plate with his outstretched left leg, laying a tag on Navarro that would have ended the game for the AL in the 11th, then made an even slicker scoop and tag later on a grounder to third that was ruled foul.
On Monday when asked a direct question, the 25-year-old catcher verbally committed to Team Canada for the World Baseball Classic next March at the Rogers Centre. The last time it was staged in '04, Martin was a rookie competing for a roster spot with the Dodgers and opted to stay at spring training instead of playing for Canada.
Completing a banner all-star week for Canadians was Sun columnist and Kingston, Ont., native Bob Elliott. On Tuesday Elliott became one of three nominees for the hall of fame's prestigious Spink Award for excellence in baseball writing. In December, he could become the first Canadian journalist recognized at Cooperstown.
The All-Star Game was thoroughly uneventful through five innings, as if in the process of catching its own breath, to regain its composure from the sublime, stunningly well-planned ceremonies that saw 49 hall-of-famers participating in pre-game player introductions. The ceremony provided a blend of past and present, even with the future springing up just across the street at the new Yankee Stadium.
As the game progressed into late innings and finally into extras, as it approached the four-hour mark, the intensity arrived with every inning seeming to provide a new drama. Each league had dazzling opportunities to put the game away, but invariably came up short. The NL never trailed until the end, taking the lead from the fifth inning, but blowing the 2-0 advantage in the seventh and then a 3-2 lead in the eighth.
After the 10th inning there were three runners thrown out at the plate, and 19 baserunners overall, with just the one run scoring.
Overall, on all-star night, the only downer for Canadians was when the hall-of-famers took their marks on the field and Gary Carter, standing with Yogi Berra at the catcher's position, slyly kept a Mets hat down by his side while wearing on his head the Expos' tri-colour lid on his Cooperstown plaque. When he was introduced, he removed his Expo hat and waved the Mets one in the air, at the very least on an equal basis. That was bush and uncalled for. But even that gaffe couldn't spoil the show.
Gary Carter strikes out in search for conversation with Willie Randolph
BY PETER BOTTE and ANTHONY McCARRON
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS
Sunday, July 13th 2008, 8:35 PM
Gary Carter said he's failed in attempts to reach out to Willie Randolph over comments the Hall of Fame catcher made about wanting to manage the Mets before Randolph was fired last month.
"I tried to call Willie, but he didn't answer his cell phone and I wasn't able to leave him a (voice mail) message. I just wanted to explain my position," Carter said before Sunday's All-Star celebrity softball game at the Stadium. "I'd love to talk to him and clear the air. I've always respected Willie and feel bad how that whole situation came out." (Ed. Excellent use of passive voice here. "I'm sorry about what wasn't my fault, Willie."
Carter, who's managing the independent Orange County Flyers and still hoping for a chance with a major-league team, told Sirius Radio on May 23 that he'd be interested in the Mets' opening if Randolph were canned, which occurred June 17.
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