Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : The All-Star Game: 2008

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Infielders:
J. Giambi BR BP E MLB
R. Cano BR BP E MLB
D. Jeter BR BP E MLB
A. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
W. Betemit BR BP E MLB mi
C. Ransom BR BP E MLB mi
J. Miranda BR BC mi

Outfielders:
B. Abreu BR BP E MLB
J. Damon BR BP E MLB
X. Nady BR BP E MLB
H. Matsui BR BP E MLB mi
B. Gardner BR E MLB mi
M. Cabrera BR BP E MLB mi

Catchers:
I. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
J. Molina BR BP E MLB
C. Moeller BR BP E MLB mi
F. Cervelli BR BC mi

Starting Pitchers:
M. Mussina BR BP BC E
A. Pettitte (L) BR BP BC E
P. Hughes BR BP BC E mi
C. Pavano BR BP BC E mi
A. Aceves BR E mi

Relief Pitchers:
M. Rivera BR BP BC E
J. Chamberlain BR BP BC E
D. Marte (L) BR BP BC E
J. Veras BR BP BC E mi
E. Ramirez BR BP BC E mi
B. Bruney BR BP BC E mi
D. Giese BR BP BC E mi
C. Britton BR BP BC E mi
P. Coke (L) BR BC E mi
D. Rasner BR BP BC E mi
S. Ponson BR BP BC E mi
D. Robertson BR BC E mi
H. Sanchez BC mi

15-day DL:
C. Wang BR BP BC E
60-day DL:
J. Posada BR BP E MLB
J. Albaladejo BR BP BC E mi
A. Brackman BC

Coaches:
J. Girardi (Mgr) BR BP BC
R. Thomson (Bench) BC
Kevin Long (Hit) BR
D. Eiland (Pitch) BR BP BC
B. Meacham (3B) BR BP BC
T. Peña (1B) BR BP BC
M. Harkey (Pen) BR BP BC

40-man Roster:
AAA
S. Duncan BR BP E MLB mi
J. Christian BR BP E MLB mi
I. Kennedy BR BP BC E mi
C. Wright (L) BR BP BC E mi
J. Marquez BR BC mi

Designated for Assignment:
B. Traber (L) BR BP BC E mi

Select Minor Leaguers:

AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees:
B. Castro BR mi DL
C. Basak BR BP BC E MLB mi
E. Duncan BC mi
N. Green BR mi
B. Broussard BR mi
M. Carson BC mi
C. Stewart BR BP E MLB mi
J. Brown BC mi DL
K. Igawa (L) BR BP BC E JB mi
M. Melancon BC mi
J.B. Cox BC mi
S. Strickland BR BC mi
S. Jackson BC mi
E. Milton BR BC mi DL
V. Zambrano BR BC mi DL

AA Trenton Thunder:
K. Russo BR mi
R. Peña BC mi DL
C. Malec BC mi
M. Vechionacci BC mi DL
A. Jackson BC mi
C. Curtis BC mi
E. Gonzalez BR mi
P.J. Pilittere BC mi
J. Jones BC mi
G. Kontos BC mi
J. Nuñez BC mi
B. Smith BC mi DL
A. Claggett BC mi
O. Perez BR BC mi
M. Gardner BC mi
K. Whelan BC mi
W. Arias (L) BC mi

A Tampa Yankees:
E. Nuñez BC mi
C.J. Henry BC mi DL
T. Battle BC mi
K. Anson BC mi
J. Gil BC mi
A. Horne BC mi DL
Z. McAllister BC mi
W. De La Rosa (L) BC mi
C. Garcia BC mi

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J. Snyder BC mi
M. Cusick BC mi
B. Suttle BC mi
A. Romine BC mi
J. Montero BC mi
D. Betances BC mi
J. Heredia BC mi
J. Ortiz BC mi
C. Heyer BC mi

Low-A Staten Island Yankees:
D. Adams mi
P. Venditte mi

Rookie Gulf Coast Yankees:
C. Joseph mi
C. Smith mi
K. Higashioka mi

Key:
BR = Baseball-Reference
BP = Baseball Prospectus
BC = Baseball Cube (past mL stats)
mi = MiLB.com (current mL stats)
E = ESPN (current splits, game logs)
MLB = MLB.com hit charts
JB = Japanese Baseball.com

The Recently Departed

2008 Yankees:
R. Sexson BR BP E MLB
M. Ensberg BR BP E MLB CLE mL
A. Gonzalez BR BP E MLB mi WAS
K. Farnsworth BR BP BC E DET
L. Hawkins BR BP BC E HOU
S. Patterson BR BC mi SD

Nady/Marte Trade:
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J. Karstens BR BP BC E mi
R. Ohlendorf BR BP BC E
D. McCutchen BC mi

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C. Woodward BR BP BC E MLB PHI mL
J. Lane BR mi BOS mL
G. Porter BC mi WAS mL
J.D. Closser BR mi SD mL
S. Henn (L) BR BP BC E mi SD
H. Phillips (L) BR BC mi TB mL
S. White BR BC mi

2007 Yankees:
J. Torre (Mgr) BR BP BC LAD
D. Mientkiewicz BR BP BC E MLB PIT
A. Phillips BR BP BC E MLB mi CIN
J. Phelps BR BP BC E MLB STL
M. Cairo BR BP BC E MLB SEA
K. Thompson BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT
B. Sardinha BC mi SEA mL
W. Nieves BR BP BC E MLB WAS
R. Clemens BR BP BC E mi
T. Clippard BR BP BC E mi WAS
L. Vizcaino BR BP BC E COL $7.5m/2yrs
M. DeSalvo BR BP BC E mi ATL mL
M. Myers (L) BR BP BC E LAD mL
R. Villone (L) BR BP BC E mi STL
S. Proctor BR BP BC E LAD
J. Brower BR BP BC E mi CIN mL
C. Bean BR BP BC E mi ATL mL

2007 Campers and mLers:
E. Durazo BR BP BC E MLB mi
A. Cannizaro BR BP BC E MLB mi TB mL
A. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi LAD mL
K. Reese BR BP BC E MLB mi
R. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT mL
O. Santos BC mi BAL mL
T. Pratt BR BP BC E MLB
T.J. Beam BR BP BC E mi PIT mL
B. Kozlowski (L) BR BP BC E mi Japan

Molina Trade:
J. Kennard BC mi

Abreu Trade
M. Smith (L) BR BP BC E mi PHI
C. Monasterios BC mi PHI
J. Sanchez mi PHI

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The All-Star Game: 2008

2008-07-15 14:50

by Cliff Corcoran

The NL has the better lineup and the roster that better represents the best of their league, but they haven't won one of these things since 1996, when the AL was shutout by a nonet of pitchers that included Mark Wohlers, Steve Trachsel, and Phillies closer Ricky Bottalico, and they won't get last licks tonight.

The NL has had some turnover in its roster since it was first announced. In addition to Corey Hart, who was added via the Final Vote, David Wright, who finished second in that voting, replaces the injured Alfonso Soriano, and Carlos Marmol replaces his bullpen-mate Kerry Wood, who developed blister on his right index finger last weekend. What's more, today there have been reports that the Giants sophomore sensation Tim Lincecum, my pick to start for the NL squad, fell ill with the flu yesterday and may not even make it to the Stadium. The only roster issue for the ALers was the injured David Ortiz being replaced by Final Vote winner Evan Longoria.

Here are the lineups:

American League

RF - Ichiro Suzuki (L)
SS - Derek Jeter (R)
CF - Josh Hamilton (L)
3B - Alex Rodriguez (R)
LF - Manny Ramirez (R)
DH - Milton Bradley (S)
1B - Kevin Youkilis (R)
C - Joe Mauer (L)
2B - Dustin Pedroia (R)

P - Cliff Lee (L)

National League

SS - Hanely Ramirez (R)
2B - Chase Utley (L)
1B - Lance Berkman (S)
DH - Albert Pujols (R)
3B - Chipper Jones (S)
RF - Matt Holliday (R)
LF - Ryan Braun (R)
CF - Kosuke Fukudome (L)
C - Geovany Soto (R)

P - Ben Sheets (R)

In lieu of FOX's Zelaskoed pre-game coverage, check our man Alex's write up on the Stadium over at SI.com, and let's all hope this won't be the last night they break the bunting out at the old yard.

More fun: Paul Lukas on All-Star Game uniform shenanigans, including several of those mentioned in my 1977 game recap earlier today.

Comments (452)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-07-15 15:36:38

1. Eric Enders

I guess it's going to be a low-scoring game if there will be bunting.

2008-07-15 16:14:07

2. Cliff Corcoran

1 I contemplated diffusing that pun in my post, but gave up.

2008-07-15 16:29:38

3. dianagramr

Will they throw out the baby bunting with the bathwater?

2008-07-15 16:30:55

4. dianagramr

I'm sure Sweet Lou is thrilled to have his over-taxed Marmol replace his blistered Wood on the roster.

2008-07-15 16:56:53

5. Cliff Corcoran

4 Lou's the one who overtaxed him in the first place . . .

2008-07-15 17:04:44

6. Simone

The Yankee fans cheered Soriano and booed David Wright. Hysterical.

2008-07-15 17:06:26

7. Simone

LOL! They booed the hell out of the Red Sox players.

2008-07-15 17:08:57

8. dianagramr

Billy Wagner didn't even try to acknowledge the crowd.

2008-07-15 17:13:17

9. bartap74

Boggs in a Yankee cap?

2008-07-15 17:14:16

10. dianagramr

Where is Tom Seaver?

2008-07-15 17:14:36

11. 3rd gen yankee fan

Damned shame about Lincecum.

2008-07-15 17:15:35

12. Bluebleeder87

I don't wanna sound like a jerk but I hope we beat you guys (the AL) enough already...

2008-07-15 17:18:27

13. Bluebleeder87

can you explain?

2008-07-15 17:20:02

14. 3rd gen yankee fan

13 He's got the flu, was hospitalized, apparently won't be at the game.

2008-07-15 17:21:27

15. bartap74

I was wondering where Rickey Henderson was and then I realized, he may not be quite retired yet.

2008-07-15 17:23:09

16. Zack

Is it just me or are Fox's acoustics really soft tonight? Is it that nobody is really cheering, or that I just can't hear it?

2008-07-15 17:24:34

17. bartap74

Winfield was my favorite player growing up. I haven't really had one since. It makes me sad that he's wearing a Padres cap (and that the Yankees didn't follow up on Dave Winfield day and retire #31).

2008-07-15 17:24:59

18. Simone

I know it is sappy, but the music, the legends of the game, and the current generation is very moving.

2008-07-15 17:25:58

19. bartap74

no Yogi?

2008-07-15 17:26:21

20. bartap74

oh, they're just out of order. Nm.

2008-07-15 17:28:06

21. dianagramr

No Tom Seaver ...

2008-07-15 17:30:22

22. dianagramr

The Mohegan Sun song parody commercials are SOOOOOOO bad!

2008-07-15 17:30:56

23. dianagramr

No moment of silence for Bobby Murcer? :-(

2008-07-15 17:31:18

24. Bluebleeder87

thanks. I actually just read the linked piece.

"flue like symptoms" huh... ;o)

2008-07-15 17:31:24

25. cult of basebaal

anyone else catch how much that ovation meant to yogi? he was kinda stunned by it, you could see him say, "boy ... that's really something"

that introduction ceremony was nice, if only to see so many great players ... and to see so many of them get such great acclaim from the crowd.

let's hope the game is good ...

2008-07-15 17:32:50

26. dianagramr

a photo of all those HOFers on the mound would be something I would buy ...

2008-07-15 17:34:06

27. Simone

Wow, George has aged. Oh well, he has had a good long productive life.

2008-07-15 17:35:03

28. dianagramr

he's crying ... and who could blame him.

2008-07-15 17:36:15

29. cult of basebaal

28 hell, i'm crying ...

2008-07-15 17:36:49

30. dianagramr

It says something about the state of our country that we have a stealth fighter flying overhead .... :-(

2008-07-15 17:36:54

31. Simone

When you think of what a mess the Yankees were when George bought the Yankees, it is amazing what the empire he built over the years.

2008-07-15 17:37:22

32. Just fair

clap clap clap clap clap clap clap

2008-07-15 17:37:51

33. Simone

30 I was thinking the same thing.

2008-07-15 17:39:25

34. dianagramr

True .... but will the "common fan" be able to get into the new Stadium .... (vis a vis the ticket prices)?

But yeah .... they sure are a well-run machine.

2008-07-15 17:43:08

35. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

30 agreed, you have to ignore a lot of that nonsense to enjoy the game..

2008-07-15 17:46:07

36. Alex Belth

That was a truly memorable and bizzare site, seeing Steinbrenner carted out, blubbering his eyes out. Talk about humility. Who would have thought with him Lording over the team, dominating the franchise for so many years, that it would come to this. "He's a bully," says my wife, "they are prickly pears but soft on the inside."

I mean, is it wrong if I say he reminded me of Peter Boyle in Young Frankenstein, balling his eyes out as they made their way to the plate.

It was very well orchestrated through. They wisked George the f* out of there with the quickness too.

I thought the whole ceremony was nicely done. Imagine, Yankee Stadium is probably the only place in the world where you can follow Hank Aaron with Reggie Jackson and get away with it. The fact that they saved Yogi for last was great, and he had a terrific reaction when the roar when up for him, he jumped back, startled. Unfortunately, the camera cut away from him and lost most of the reaction.

Still, amazing that it comes to this for the Boss. Well, he got his moment of grace I suppose. He built a winner and was able to see it off in a fashion that is suiting to his legacy. It was actually classy. Blubbering and demntia and imperfect and human and all.

2008-07-15 17:47:39

37. dianagramr

I really wanted a moment of silence for Murcer .... :-(

2008-07-15 17:49:08

38. dianagramr

didja happen to notice that the baseballs were in a plain manila envelope? I found the "commonness" of it interesting ...

2008-07-15 17:49:48

39. cult of basebaal

36 you know who really reminds me of peter boyle in young frankenstein??? jesse ventura. caught him last night on larry king, crazy weird resemblance ...

2008-07-15 17:55:46

40. bartap74

Given the choice, I'd take the NL lineup any day.

2008-07-15 18:01:46

41. Simone

36 Definitely an unforgettable moment for Yankee fans. George may not make it to the new Stadium.

2008-07-15 18:04:09

42. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

41 not watching here, is Big Stein really that fragile now??? wow..just hard to imagine...

2008-07-15 18:05:13

43. OldYanksFan

That is one great commercial.

2008-07-15 18:11:34

44. dianagramr

which one?

2008-07-15 18:14:22

45. OldYanksFan

The ballgirl climbing the wall to catch the flyball.

2008-07-15 18:20:22

46. OldYanksFan

A funny line from a Lohud commenter:
"Do you think Joe Buck can leave in the 7th inning and not come back?
It would be a great tribute to Scooter."

2008-07-15 18:29:58

47. Simone

Awww, Yogi. I loved when he kissed George. I'm so glad that George apologized and they made their peace.

2008-07-15 18:32:30

48. Bruce Markusen

How could they not do something for Bobby Murcer? The man was a five-time All-Star himself, a franchise icon of the 1970s, and a remarkably popular player. The Yankees should have insisted on a moment to acknowledge his passing.

Well, maybe they'll do something in mid-game.

2008-07-15 18:32:50

49. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

46 fantastic..i remember once my dad made us leave early to "beat the rain and traffic". me and my sisters were going nuts in the car, then looked over and saw Scooter in the next car. we all started waving and yelling till he noticed us and gave us the thumbs up..

2008-07-15 18:33:41

50. OldYanksFan

OK... who's gonna say it?

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-07-15 18:34:09

51. Just fair

A-Rod pops up with a man on 2nd, Jeter with the DP. I thought this was a break from the regular season. : )

2008-07-15 18:39:48

52. dianagramr

I'm sure Hal and Hank are steaming over seeing Mo giving Halladay and Kazmir pointers on the cutter! :-)

2008-07-15 18:40:22

53. bartap74

Pujols was clearly safe on the replay.

2008-07-15 18:40:35

54. OldYanksFan

Yup... that Ichiro is getting old.

2008-07-15 18:49:07

55. weeping for brunnhilde

One makes an error, the other gets picked off.

Those two deserve each other.

2008-07-15 18:50:21

56. weeping for brunnhilde

51 Bah!

For a short time I'd put the regular season out of my mind, swept up in the lovefest.

Bah.

2008-07-15 18:57:27

57. OldYanksFan

Francona is a classy guy in a lot of ways.

2008-07-15 18:59:02

58. OldYanksFan

Is that amazing that the original stadium was built in under 300 days? I mean, what kind of construction equiptment did they have back then? The workers must have been bustin ass!

2008-07-15 18:59:46

59. bartap74

It just occurred to me - Johan Santana didn't make the cut for the All-Star team?

2008-07-15 19:03:31

60. OldYanksFan

59 Well, he's tied for 4th/5th in ERA in the NL, but Shea is a pretty extreme pitchers park, so he probably rates worse in ERA+.

2008-07-15 19:12:17

61. OldYanksFan

Is William at the game tonight?

2008-07-15 19:17:56

62. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

how did the run score?

2008-07-15 19:18:13

63. bartap74

61 If so, he's probably complaining about his seats.

2008-07-15 19:18:36

64. bartap74

62 Solo shot by Matt Holliday off Ervin Santana.

2008-07-15 19:24:14

65. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

63 bada-bing! YOU are correct, Sir!

2008-07-15 19:47:53

66. OldYanksFan

That was nice by Josh. The Kate Smith version is an embarassment. With so much talent in NY, if they HAVE to do the song, why not have different artists do it everynight. Is there a reason the Yankees have to do it in such a way that people are sick to death of it?

2008-07-15 19:55:45

67. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

66 or how about a less odious song? "America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles would do nicely

2008-07-15 19:58:49

68. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

Paps is in! what was the crowd reaction?
(and man, it's kind of lonely here today..67 comments??)

2008-07-15 20:00:55

69. 3rd gen yankee fan

Chanting MA-RI-A-NO and booing the hell out of Pimplefreak.

2008-07-15 20:02:37

70. 3rd gen yankee fan

They also chanted OV-ER-RA-TED at Paps. LMAO!

2008-07-15 20:04:26

71. Raf

Arrived in time to see Drew tie the game... Also means I saw Paps give up the lead

2008-07-15 20:06:16

72. Alex Belth

Only in New York. They booed the sh** out of Paps who gave up a bloop hit, allowed a stolen base, a throwing error by the catcher got him to third and a sac fly brought him home.

Only in NY would the fans want Paps to blow the game to spite the AL home field advantage...LOL

2008-07-15 20:13:46

73. Shaun P

Not really his fault, but Papelblah blowing the lead isn't a surprise . . . Francona ought to know better. His boy just isn't the same on the road (4.08 ERA) vs at home (1.17 ERA).

C'mon ALers, gotta get a lead here to go to Mo!

Or perhaps Francona goes to Mo anyway?

Oh good - its Billy Wagner! This lead should change hands any moment now. ;)

2008-07-15 20:17:07

74. dodgerforlife32

where is tom seaver and nolan ryan?

2008-07-15 20:18:53

75. Shaun P

C'mon Longoria, good eye, good eye!

2008-07-15 20:20:50

76. weeping for brunnhilde

All right!

Here comes our boy!

(I'd presume.)

2008-07-15 20:20:57

77. Shaun P

OK, not quite a lead change, but we'll take it. Nice job, Longoria.

2008-07-15 20:23:22

78. Shaun P

76 I don't know weeping . . . tie game, maybe Tito goes to Soria and lets Mo get the last out; that way if the AL doesn't win it in the bottom of the 9th, Mo could pitch the 10th?

Its tough because I want to see Mo pitch, but I'd prefer he gets the last out too. Can't have it all.

2008-07-15 20:23:54

79. Shaun P

Or K-Rod. Tito could go to K-Rod (forgot about him).

2008-07-15 20:26:42

80. Just fair

The Red Sox and Rays contingent making it interesting. Drew's homer + Papelbon pitching + Navarro's throwing error + Longoria's 2 out game tying hit = an entertaining game. Oh, and Wagner melts again in a key spot.

2008-07-15 20:27:23

81. 3rd gen yankee fan

WOW.

2008-07-15 20:28:21

82. Shaun P

Damn you FOX, why did you cut away BEFORE Mo made it to the mound?! ARGH!

I wonder if Mo ever gets tired of making his way out to the mound. Nah.

2008-07-15 20:28:21

83. OldYanksFan

JESUS! Fox cuts to a commercial as Mo comes in to a standing O? What jerks.

2008-07-15 20:28:40

84. dodgerforlife32

does any1 know why seaver and ryan where not introduced with the HOF pitchers tonite?

2008-07-15 20:28:59

85. dodgerforlife32

here comes rivera to blow it!!!

2008-07-15 20:29:02

86. Shaun P

Anyone have an e-mail address for Fox Sports handy? I've got a nasty e-mail I'd like to send their way.

2008-07-15 20:29:44

87. weeping for brunnhilde

You know, I've been watching Mo as long as we all have, but somehow, I'm finding new depths of love and appreciation for the man every day.

I don't know why. Maybe it's because his career is closer to the end than the beginning.

Whatever the reason, I just can't quite come to terms with how special he is.

2008-07-15 20:30:56

88. dodgerforlife32

ulove mo.

Gay...

2008-07-15 20:31:17

89. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

86 there is nothing you can do, the coverage gets worse and worse..i miss WPIX Ch.11 in the old days, simple graphics, White, Messer and Scooter..

2008-07-15 20:31:19

90. Shaun P

84 My guess is they weren't available for whatever reason. Joe Morgan's absence is more glaring, AFAIC, seeing he was just there last night.