Yeah.. I had to go with stupid. I generally reserve Asinine for the Fox announcers and their inability to correctly pronounce names..

Spasinine.

OMG how big are Mauer's sideburns? they're GINORMOUS!

Did anyone else notice that Joe Nathan picked up the win in ESPN's (computer modeled) Ultimate All-Star Game, striking out Hank Aaron to end a NL threat in extra innings. It was nice to see him included among the greatest relievers ever. (Click on my name for the faux recap.)

I know GM is hurting with sales and they laid off like 8 million people, but really, they couldn't pony up another Vette ? That truck like substance is ugly and not the kind of car a major leaguer should be driving. I think i would have dropped an F-Bomb if they gave me that hunk of S**t instead of a Vette.

I was kinda hoping that we, the AL, would lose this year so that the Yanks could win the Series at home instead of on the road. I mean the AL has swept 5 out of the last 7 WS or something like that.

I can't shake the feeling that I would care more about the All-Star Game if MLB and Fox stopped trying so hard to make me care about the All-Star Game.

My favorite part of the All Star Game festivities is the Celebrity Softball game.

I know, just shoot me.

mike, I think the real question here is why do they get a car, anyway? these guys can't afford to buy a car on their own? most of them could pay in full with cash after one paycheck. I think MLB... heck, all sports... should find something more unique and interesting to give to the MVP of their respective All Star Games.

Not only was Fox coverage questionable, but did anyone catch the inappropriate pause before introducing Liriano on the field before the game? As if they didn't know who was next on the roster. Bad form, guys!

But...but...he was a last minute addition. They had to send in Big Pappi with a search and rescue phone call...& everything. Couldn't have gotten the name added to the list until at least the day b/4... *snerk*

& what's up w/the Wiggles? That was just weird.

Here's what *I* wanted: FULL introductions of each player. Heights, weights, hometowns, favorite colors, what-have-you. Maybe even a quick recap of what they've done to become an All-Star. It's hard to care about a game when I'm not really familiar with many of the players. So give me a quick bio, give me SOMETHING to bring me into it.

P.S. There ain't anybody cuter than Johan. MAN is he lovely.

MY favorite part was the "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" song for Vlad. Really...where do they come up with this stuff? That was totally unnecessary!

Thank you for the recap. As usual I laughed and almost made a mess(no not that kind of mess I just have to stop drinking coffee while I read)I didn't watch the game because I knew "this time it count". As a rule most "All Star" games are usually boring a watching paint dry. Can't wait for the games to begin once again.

LeftCenter - you want the pregame to go on even longer?????

I agree with Kafumbly on the car thing. Why not have GM donate a car to a needy family in the MVP's name, or donate some money to the MVP's chosen charity in his name?

"You just won the All-Star Game MVP. Here. Have the keys to one of the ugliest vehicles ever made."

FlowMax...an unfortunate moniker indeed. Makes it sound like the peeing just goes on and on and on without ceasing, like some broken fire hydrant or Mr. Creosote vomiting in "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life". I agree that it would be better if Fox could just show the game like it's, you know, a baseball game, rather than some kind of Simon Cowell-judged travesty - but the MLB All-Star Game is still the best one in all of sports, hands down. How many NBA All-Star Games have had things happen during the contest that you talk about years later? Or even days later, for that matter? And I'm fine with "this time it counts" as long as the AL keeps winning.

Now let's get back to the business of catching the Tigers and the White Sux, shall we?

"You just won the All-Star Game MVP. Here. Have the keys to one of the ugliest vehicles ever made."

Rach, I can't stop laughing...brilliant.

Actually, the car is very often donated to a charity (they figure they can auction it off for more money if they say it was owned by an All-Star MVP)

Well....
Carrie Underwood is still cute - I think it was the specially made ASG outfit she was wearing that made her look weird.

I have all the respect for Roberto Clemente - my mom loved him - but why stop the flow of the game - they couldn't have done this before the game - I am confused.

My tv is still in tact- I did not toss any heavy objects at it and it really wouldn't have reached Joe Buck and Tim McCarver anyway - I hated the interviews during the game of the managers - I hate when they do it during any game.

Alphonso - what the heck were you thinking - Albert was up right after Beltran -

hee hee AJ didn't play - but boo neither did Nomar =(

This game used to be fun to watch - not anymore -
Sorry I'm crabby =(

Much Love
Wonder Woman

I had a lot of trouble remembering which team I was rooting for. It was so unnatural, hoping for Ichiro and Jim Thome to GET hits, instead of praying that they would (please, please, please) strike out and that their souls would consequently be crushed by the humiliation and they would have to retire forever from shame.

And seeing Joe Mauer locked in an on-the-mound conference with Mariano Rivera made me genuinely woozy.

But I'm so pleased that the Tigers will have home field advantage now. How NICE for them.

Maybe they should have given Trevor Hoffman the Avalanche!

Fox was awful. They missed all the exciting plays while they were interviewing Phil Garner about Roger Clemens - fascinating stuff, huh? I hear he's GOOD. That's some news! And Jeannie Zelasko interviewing David Wright's dad was just painful. Of course there's always Tim McCarver, but don't get me started.

Well, once again Joe Buck was an annoying ass- but what do you expect. I hate when he is a commentator for Fox football too.

Just a question- why does he think he's so great? I mean, did anyone see that commercial where he's about to get on this elevator and there are three guys waiting there. They realize who he is and say he's "THE voice of baseball", and want to FEEL HIS FREAKING THROAT while he says something! How lame, and can you imagine how much this feeds his already HUGE ego.

Ahem, sorry about that- I'm a little tired I guess. But Joe did ok and so did Santana- poor Cisco.

Yeah, all the hoopla surrounding it was suspect, but it was still a fun game to watch. What a great 2-out ninth-inning rally by the American League! Whoo!

And MAN, Joe Mauer must've had the time of his LIFE! Not only does he get to PLAY in the All-Star Game, he gets to catch some of the game's best pitchers for 5 innings! And a pat on the back from Rivera at the end? What a trip.

I am pretty sure the only part worth watching (besides the inning where Johan pitched and Joe caught) was the service for Roberto Clemente. And then Joe Buck cut Mrs Clemente off and totally ruined the moment.

Also, Major League Baseball in general needs to stop singing "God Bless America" in the seventh inning stretch. It's supposed to be "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"

Major League Baseball gave FOX a 7 year extension on its broadcasting rights of the All-Star Game and the World Series. So now we can all look forward to not looking forward to the All-Star Game through 2013. I mean, how much crap can they cram into a ball game between innings? Sure, Clemente was a great guy, and I'm sure he meant a great deal to the city of Pittsburgh, but please, pretty please, for the kids, can we actually watch the All-Stars play baseball at the All-Star GAME this year?

Dang. I missed the game. Darn. (Sarcasm)

"Major League Baseball in general needs to stop singing "God Bless America" in the seventh inning stretch. It's supposed to be "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"" ...AGREED! Although, both are a lot less cheezy than "Proud to be an American," or whatever it was they played at the Dome for a while.

Did anyone else catch A.J.'s comment during his introduction? In response to the fewer boos than he obviously expected: "That wasn't too bad." Pure class, that A.J.

Did you all see OZ showing off his signs as BuckNMac cackled like idiots? That's Game 7 strategy OZ? And then the pregame speach from Garner about how there would be absolutely no signs for the NL? Yeah, you've got me convinced that this game is life and death now Fox.

Maybe I missed it because I was watching at a bar and didn't have the sound, but were the yellow sweatbands all the players were wearing in honor of Roberto Clemente? They said "RCW" from what I could see. What's the last W for?

Through much Googling when I should have been working, I found this on the Internet:

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) — A rarity has occurred in Cooperstown, as the Hall of Fame has made a change to one of its plaques, the one featuring the late, great Roberto Clemente. In Latino heritage, a person's mother's maiden name traditionally follows their surname. Though Clemente was born Roberto Clemente Walker, he was known throughout his baseball career as Roberto Clemente. When Clemente was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, the Hall of Fame plaque had his mother's maiden name and father's last name reversed, reading "Roberto Walker Clemente." The Hall of Fame has rectified the inaccuracy and the new plaque reads "Roberto Clemente Walker."

Hi Kaiser:

His full name was Roberto Clemente Walker.

The bittersweet part of the night for me was seeing Pittsburgh and that awesome stadium shine.
If you guys get the chance...go there, see a game. See a day game AND a night game from the upper decks. Go see the remains of Forbes Field near the University. Go see the city lights from Mount Washington. Go see some amazing architecture.

Alas, it's unfortunate that the management of that team has no interest in competing.

Good reference Word Smith. I grew up with an entire family of kids whose names were: (firstname) Lopez Lopez. In our predominantly Hispanic town, they were the only ones I know whose folks had the same last names before marriage.

FOX SUCKS.

Jeannie Zelasko is a troll. Why not have some more plastic surgery, darling? And who wears shiny teal to a ball game?

Joe Buck looked like he has never wanted to quit a job more in his life. And the stupid Joe Buck commericals were truly painful. I kept flipping to the weather channel for relief.

Oh, and did I mention FOX SUCKS?

I would have given anything to hear Bert talk about how many All-Stars share his birthday.

**end of rant. thank you for listening**

Regarding "God Bless America" in the seventh inning stretch, they usually sing both that and "Take Me Out...", not one or the other. That's what happened at the Dome two weekends ago, at least.

I can understand why it'd be tough to make signs for the All-Star game.

As the manager, Garner and Ozzie wouldn't want to use THEIR signs...otherwise they have to come up with new ones.

On top of that, how hard/easy would it be to actually develope, teach, and implement a set of signs when you probably don't actually meet half the players until the day before?

I think take me out to the ball game should be sung during the 7th inning stretch.

Maybe they can save God Bless America for games on the 4th.

Maybe it's just me, or the fact that I wasn't watching all that closely until the end, or it could have been the alcohol I consumed while watching, but I actually really enjoyed the game this year. Joe Buck doesn't annoy me nearly as much as he used to, I managed to pretty much block out McCarver, and the game itself ended up being pretty darn exciting. I totally agree that Jeanne Zelasko is a troll, though. And I also agree with the person who said "God Bless America" needs to go away. Enough already!

Other than that, though, I thought it was pretty good. *shrug*

They also need to stop telling people they have to stand for God Bless America. You don't have to stand for it. It's not the national anthem. And the people singing it usually suck and don't deserve people standing to hear them sing.

Pretty soon they'll be telling us to stand up and put our hands on our hearts for "God Bless the USA"

Ok. Good game, bad coverage.
"Major League Baseball in general needs to stop singing "God Bless America" in the seventh inning stretch. It's supposed to be "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"" SO TRUE! And people take off their hats like it's the anthem, what’s up with that?
Any way good to see the announcers talking about haw great mauer Santana and Liriano are, the ONLY good thing they did.

For my money, the Joe Buck commercial was *almost* the greatest in history. Would've been if one or all of the stalkers had put their hands on his throat for the purpose of choking him to death. My opinion, anyway.

-ex

I didn't read the Ass-face reference the first time through this entry. I just assumed you were referring to Bud Selig. Works either way.

Let me just say that Tivo/DVR is one of the best inventions for watching sports, especially a FOX broadcast. Last night was a prime example. Started recording the game at 7:00 and started watching from the beginning at about 8:30. This allowed me to skip all the b.s. and commericials, and rewind if I wanted to see something again. Plus I got done watching at about the same time the game actually ended. Since I have 2 little tots that go to bed each night around 8:00, I usually DVR the Twins games, and I can watch a 3 hour game in about half that time.

I have to say that I don't see what the issue is about "God Bless America" for you guys. So people remove their hats and caps out of respect. So what? Why does that bother you? If you don't want to stand up, if you don't want to remove your headgear, if you want to sing "Back in Black" while everyone else is singing about how thankful they are that they live in the US, you can do that. After all, that's what America is about, right? I'm not typically a flag-waver, but the number of people going off on this subject is truly bothering me. Oh, and if singing well is the criteria for whether or not people should be singing in public, then nobody should be singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", either.

Well said, Adidasman. I completely agree. What's the big deal with "God Bless America"? My word. Surely there are more legit things to complain about...ie Fox and their inability to broadcast baseball decently.

Despite the incessant talking about everything other than the game, I never heard them say what they yellow wristwarmer/arm sweatbands were for. Did anyone else?

From the StarTribune:

"Some players and umpires wore yellow wristbands with the initals "RCW" for Roberto Clemente Walker. Even pitchers were allowed to wear them, on their glove hands."

Hey, Laura - "incessant talking about everything other than the game" is what we're about here at Batgirl (if I may be so bold as to speak for the group). Hadn't you noticed???

I believe Laura was referring to the Fox announcers! (And yes, you may!)

My comments on the broad cast:

Joe Buck: The thing with him is that he's fine for most of the broadcast when he's just calling the play in an ordinary manner. But every now and then when he throws in his own personal comments or opinions they're always stupid. Guys like him just shouldn't editorialize. Then those commercials -- who's brilliant idea was that?? Were they trying to see how many times they could make me puke? I wonder how much you have to pay an actor to pretend he idolizes Joe Buck!

FlowMax: Did anyone else notice the unfortunate irony that one possible side effect is reduced semen?!

I actually kinda enjoyed the head, shoulders, knees, and toes song for Guerrero. I like stuff that's goofy and creative. And it was something that only lasted about 15 seconds unlike just about every other gimmick they do that lasts at least 15 minutes.

I also noticed a small but somehow particularly annoying commercialization aspect. Just before the start of an inning, they were panning around with different angles of the stadium. It was kinda nice, ya know, seeing different angles of the nice stadium. Then they end it by zooming in on the Chevy logo on the outfield wall. Wow the crowning gem of PNC Park! Once again, trying to make me puke!!

Ahhhhhh...you are, as always, correct, BG. In my unbridled haste, I misinterpreted her comment. Laura, your analysis of the Fox professional talkers is spot on - please forgive me my faux pas.

But let me remind Salt-Man Z that our dear Chairman gets to catch "some of the game's best pitchers" every time he steps onto the field. So, if you ask me, last night was just another game for Mr. Mauer. (I'm sure Joe would say otherwise, however.)

"What's the big deal with "God Bless America"?"
-------

Some people, even proud Americans who love freedom, would just like to enjoy a ballgame without the extra break for a forced quasi-religious patriotic display. However, if we must break up the games to sing and listen to songs about America, then I'd also like to hear Neil Young's "Keep On Rockin' in the Free World." I'll not only stand, but I might pogo in the aisles to that one.

"Joe Buck: The thing with him is that he's fine for most of the broadcast when he's just calling the play in an ordinary manner. But every now and then when he throws in his own personal comments or opinions they're always stupid. Guys like him just shouldn't editorialize."
-----------

I have the same peeve about Dick Bremer.

Nice suggestion Frightwig.

I'd like to also nominate a fun sing a long of "This Land is your Land"

But mostly I'd like to just sing "Take Me out to the Ballgame" like we all used to. I find that there is something less than sincere as to why we now are asked to sing God Bless America.

Dear Everyone,

I didn't mean to start a whole discussion about "God Bless America." I was just commenting that I wish they'd go back to just singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." My hometown's uber-God&Country-patriotic, and even we only play Take Me Out during the seventh inning stretch. The song's fine around the holidays, but really, baseball's about having fun and bringing people together.

Besides that, doesn't it seem ironic to be singing patriotic songs when half the guys on the field aren't even from the USA?

At least people singing "Rockin' in the Free World" offkey would sound just like Neil, so that's one positive aspect to frightwig's suggestion. However, the thought of rampant pogoing by herds of predominantly middle-aged, overweight men is rather disturbing to me.

NOOOOOO pogo-ing in the Metrodome!

I'm going to have to disagree with batgirl here, I was physically damaged by the broadcast of the game. The intro was stupid, the announcers were annoying, the guy who gave Young the avalance at the end talked so slow I wanted to die rather than finish listening to him, and the intro was probobly simultaneously the stupidest and ost shoddily put together thing I've enver seen produced above high school video tech.

F minus minus to Fox.

I think they should play "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" along with "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." It is called the 7th-inning STRETCH, after all.

"Some people, even proud Americans who love freedom, would just like to enjoy a ballgame without the extra break for a forced quasi-religious patriotic display."

That's exactly my problem with it. Thank you. Fortunately here in Seattle it's been limited to Sunday games, so I just avoid those games and it's all good.

And again, I'm obviously alone in this, but I think the Joe Buck commercials are funny, because how many blowhard tv announcers on national broadcasts are willing to make asses of themselves like that? Even the ones they used to show where he had to come up with the home run call and bang the gong - I see that as a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously and is willing to look like a dork and laugh at himself. I've had a little more respect for him since he started doing those ads. Can you imagine Joe Morgan doing a commercial like that? No way.

addidasman, in my opinion, if someone hands you a mic to sing a song in from of tens of thousands of people, yeah, you probably should be able to sing well.

singing take me out to the ballgame, (something I don't do) in the stands does not require a nice voice.

Just "Take Me out to the Ballgame" in the middle of the 7th, please.

I've never understood why they played "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" in Baltimore.

im going to have to agree with mostly everyone on the "God Bless America" thing. It always seems really forced and seems to take a bit away from the game.

jenninseattle: i do agree that the Joe Buck commrecials are somewhat decent and enjoyable to watch along with the chevrolet one. Or at least they were the first couple times i saw them and before Fox decided to show them during every single commercial break. If a network is going to sell that much advertising to a single compny, they need to put a clause in the sale contract that requires them to fill that time with at least 4 different commercials.

This is also my personal opinion but the "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" thing was worse than scooter. At least scooter has the possibility to be somewhat entertaining, for example the first time they did the knuckleball one and scooter got stuck on "knuck" like a broken record or when the did the brushback (throwing at the hitter) pitch during the 2004 ALCS.

"FlowMax: Did anyone else notice the unfortunate irony that one possible side effect is reduced semen?!"
Yes I did, LOL

I only listened from the ninth inning on ESPN Radio. No Cisco. :(

MY complaint is about Mike Golic's complaint that "It's unfair that the ASG has meant that the NL hasn't had HFA in a decade."

Wow, That time at Notre Dame did zip for your "edumaction", Golic.

Singing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch is not something to get upset about. Maybe the fans sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame and they just didn't air it. I'm quite surprised it's gotten so heated. Take Me Out to the Ballgame is just not a song people bring in a recording artist like John Legend to sing. David Hasselhoff maybe. I was actually quite moved at the dome a few weeks ago when Zoilo Versalles' daughter sang God Bless America, and I'm known for my dislike of patriotic music. It's a pretty sweet song.

"I've never understood why they played "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" in Baltimore."
-------

When I lived in Maryland, I heard somewhere that "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" at Orioles games goes back to the late '70s, when the Yankees-Orioles rivalry was at a fever pitch, and it was aimed as a retort to "New York, New York." I hope it's true, because I like that kind of spirit.

Got no problem with the God Bless America.
I like Take Me Out to the Ballgame, too, and hope they sang that, but did not televise it.

I don't mind Joe Buck that much, but the commercial was odd and left me feeling dirty somehow...

I wish Fox would just show the game, and forget the replays, cutesy graphics, and extra interviews that lead to watching an outfielder make a catch on a ball you didn't know was hit, or a player walking back to the dugout having struck out.

The Vlad - head, shoulders, knees, and toes thing was embarrasing.

My viewpoint anyway,

LTLC

Thanks, frightwig, I'll choose to believe that story, it's a good one.

Listening to "God Bless America" at a ball game takes about 2 minutes out of your life. It won't kill you.

What annoys me is people who talk during the national anthem.

So...uh...

Anyone here actually care to mention the interesting bit of BASEBALL that happened to occur last night?

The game itself was kinda good in my opinion. A closely-fought pitcher's...pitchers...pitchers'...duel between a lot of pitchers. A game taken to the brink and saved by a trio composed of Sox, Jays, and Rangers, then ultimately locked down by a player I have numerous times in the past wished to be attacked by a lion like in the baseball video played in Naked Gun.

There weren't an inordinate number of substitions, the players put in were by and large very good (Mark Redman was only allowed to warm up, thankfully), and there were brief moments of some quality play. Hell, I actually got pretty impressed just to watch Brad Penny hurl as if his life depended on it in the first inning.

It was a surprising GOOD baseball game, something that not even Fox could ruin. Too much.

How anyone could have such a problem with a song as like "God Bless America" a week after the 4th of July is baffling.

If the tune offends you, you're free to channel surf or go make a sandwich, or something. How about getting over yourselves for a minute or two and showing some respect for those who might disagree with your take?

I think instead of god bless America they should sing New York, New York during the 7th inning.

FlowMax is pretty bad...but what about Vagisil? You know, the one that stops itching...or...something? I don't see a Penisil out there anywhere...why? BECAUSE IT'S GROSS.

"Showing respect for those who might disagree with your take" could include not assuming others are somehow deficient in character or seriousness if their opinions differ from yours.

Word, sometimes great satire just about writes itself.

I disagree with the "wave", and avoid all baseball games in which one occurs, for political reasons. Talk about communist undertones.

Ahem.

Bat Girl,
I have a question, what is the largest number of posts ever posted on a bat-girl thread, just wondering. Thank you.

Check out the Kirby Puckett memorial thread, I think that was the largest in recent memory.

Heh, Wordsmith. If a few more people realized that point is a two-way street and applied it in some measure to themselves, instead of just to others, we might have avoided the sort of backlash that helped keep the current administration in power.

Fright, yeah, doesn't it though?

Batgirl politely asks that we drop the conversation about God Bless America, as it doesn';t seem its possible to have it with civility.

I just read the link you made for the 'Ass Face' post... from the Twins - Angels game a couple years ago.

While reading it.... I realized I was at the game!

My dad and I drove 4 hours to LA to see 'Joanne' and the Twins during his incredible streak.

I still remember the day... August 28, 2004. And I didn't have to look that up.

i absolutely hate and despise joe buck he can't even say johan!!!!!

This certainly isn't the longest thread ever, but it is the WEIRDEST one. It ranges from sideburns to communism to, um, Penisil.

Please, no dissing Carrie Underwood. She is a goddess. A beautiful, fabulous, peach of a girl. And I also was waiting all night for the appearance of the dreaded Scooter. I mean, how else would I know that a curveball is thrown reaaaaaaal slowwwwwww?