2008 All-Star Game: NL (Sheets) @ AL (Lee) 7 pm FOX

[UMFan83]

Plus that picture is pretty obviously taken at Wrigley Field...

it's obviously from after the home run derby last night, photoshopped to look like it was at Wrigley during the day

 

I heard that they already tore Yankee Stadium down and the entire season has been played in front of a green screen

 

I want to know what ballpark I was sitting in 2 weeks ago then! Maybe that's why they gave us all 3D glasses to wear.

[David]

The home field advantage rule pisses me off. If josh hamilton hits a home run off ben sheets, why should that determine if boston or chicago has home field advantage? Baseball is the only sport that does this...so dumb.

 

Just curious, do you know how it was determined before they left it to the All Star game?

[otis89]

The home field advantage rule pisses me off. If josh hamilton hits a home run off ben sheets, why should that determine if boston or chicago has home field advantage? Baseball is the only sport that does this...so dumb.

 

Just curious, do you know how it was determined before they left it to the All Star game?

 

It alternated each year. I can't remember who had odd and who had even though.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

The home field advantage rule pisses me off. If josh hamilton hits a home run off ben sheets, why should that determine if boston or chicago has home field advantage? Baseball is the only sport that does this...so dumb.

 

Just curious, do you know how it was determined before they left it to the All Star game?

 

It alternated each year. I can't remember who had odd and who had even though.

you didn't raise your hand

[David]

The home field advantage rule pisses me off. If josh hamilton hits a home run off ben sheets, why should that determine if boston or chicago has home field advantage? Baseball is the only sport that does this...so dumb.

 

Just curious, do you know how it was determined before they left it to the All Star game?

 

It alternated each year. I can't remember who had odd and who had even though.

you didn't raise your hand

 

 

lol This reminds me of when I ask my nephew a question and my mom answers for him.

[Joe_Cub]

the al has a nice bullpen, hope the nl has a lead going into the late innings

[UMFan83]

I was thinking about this earlier. As a Cubs fan, what is the best possible thing that could happen in the game.

 

My thought was bottom 9, NL up 8-7, Lidge on for the save. He manages to load the bases with 0 outs. Hurdle, having already used all other closers on the team is forced to go to Carlos Marmol. Marmol reverts to April/May form and strikes out the side on 9 pitches to close the game and win the MVP award.

 

Yes Marmol's arm would get another inning of work, but his confidence would be sky high at that point.

[Schwarber Fan]

I was thinking about this earlier. As a Cubs fan, what is the best possible thing that could happen in the game.

 

Ryan Braun breaks his wrist on a bases loaded HBP and Ben Sheets throws a 150 pitch CG 1-0 shutout.

[bcl412]

Soto hits a home run so hard that when it lands it creates an earthquake that destroys Busch Stadium and Millar Park.

[B]

Soto hits a home run so hard that when it lands it creates an earthquake that destroys Busch Stadium and Millar Park.

When did they name a park after Kevin?

[BigSlick]

I was thinking about this earlier. As a Cubs fan, what is the best possible thing that could happen in the game.

 

Ryan Braun breaks his wrist on a bases loaded HBP and Ben Sheets throws a 150 pitch CG 1-0 shutout.

better throw in some injuries to cardinals too, just for some security

[chuckywang]

Lineups?!?

[anabiono]

wow, that is sad, i can't believe i mistook wood for dempster...

 

stupid facial hair...and it was early

 

ok...i am just dumb

 

crap

[XZero771679666304]

I was thinking about this earlier. As a Cubs fan, what is the best possible thing that could happen in the game.

 

Ryan Braun breaks his wrist on a bases loaded HBP and Ben Sheets throws a 150 pitch CG 1-0 shutout.

better throw in some injuries to cardinals too, just for some security

 

Well if we are going to be sick and wrong, I would go for Sheets' shoulder blowing up mid pitch, with the errant fastball going into the NL dugout, scattering Braun (who blows out his knee during the evasion) before obliterating what is left of Pujols' elbow, causing him to fall violently to the ground, right on top of Ryan Ludwick, wrenching his back and slipping a few discs.

[Joe_Cub]

National League:

1. Hanley Ramirez, Florida, ss

2. Chase Utley, Philadelphia, 2b

3. Lance Berkman, Houston, 1b

4. Albert Pujols, St. Louis, dh

5. Chipper Jones, Atlanta, 3b

6. Matt Holliday, Colorado, rf

7. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee, lf

8. Kosuke Fukudome, Chicago, cf

9. Geovany Soto, Chicago, c

P: Ben Sheets, Milwaukee, rhp

 

American League:

1. Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle, rf

2. Derek Jeter, New York, ss

3. Josh Hamilton, Texas, cf

4. Alex Rodriguez, New York, 3b

5. Manny Ramirez, Boston, lf

6. Milton Bradley, Texas, dh

7. Kevin Youkilis, Boston, 1b

8. Joe Mauer, Minnesota, c

9. Dustin Pedroia, Boston, 2b

P: Cliff Lee, Cleveland, lhp

 

Based on just these starting lineups, the NL looks to have a great advantage in the power department. Hopefully, more great things are to come!

[erik316wttn]

The home field advantage rule pisses me off. If josh hamilton hits a home run off ben sheets, why should that determine if boston or chicago has home field advantage? Baseball is the only sport that does this...so dumb.

 

As Americans, we have a culture of "it'll NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN." It's in every facet of society, from the workplace to the classroom to sports and everywhere else. It's the main reason zero tolerance policies take effect and you hear about the occasional first grader who faces expulsion for bringing a plastic butter knife to school in his lunch bag.

 

After the "atrocity" of the tie game a few years back, Selig and the owners banded together and said "IT'LL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN, DAMMIT!" and came up with this rule where Adrian Gonzalez could homer off of George Sherrill and it would win the game and determine where two completely different teams play the World Series.

 

Brilliance, Bud! Sheer brilliance!

[Garwilly]

The home field advantage rule pisses me off. If josh hamilton hits a home run off ben sheets, why should that determine if boston or chicago has home field advantage? Baseball is the only sport that does this...so dumb.

 

Just curious, do you know how it was determined before they left it to the All Star game?

 

It alternated each year. I can't remember who had odd and who had even though.

 

NL had it in odd years (AZ 2001)

AL had it in even years (ANA 2002)

 

The AL would have have it this year under the old format, meaning the current format can only help the Cubs relative to the ways of the past.

[Butterscup1679666578]

i have a good feeling that soto is gonna homer tonight

[Mizzou]

I'm actually kind of looking forward to this year's game.

[JoshiQ]

This is the most I've looked forward to an All-Star game in a long time. That's not saying much, but it's saying something.

[javy knows my name]

The home field advantage rule pisses me off. If josh hamilton hits a home run off ben sheets, why should that determine if boston or chicago has home field advantage? Baseball is the only sport that does this...so dumb.

 

As Americans, we have a culture of "it'll NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN." It's in every facet of society, from the workplace to the classroom to sports and everywhere else. It's the main reason zero tolerance policies take effect and you hear about the occasional first grader who faces expulsion for bringing a plastic butter knife to school in his lunch bag.

 

After the "atrocity" of the tie game a few years back, Selig and the owners banded together and said "IT'LL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN, DAMMIT!" and came up with this rule where Adrian Gonzalez could homer off of George Sherrill and it would win the game and determine where two completely different teams play the World Series.

 

Brilliance, Bud! Sheer brilliance!

I think you're sort of right. There is no doubt that the outcome of The Tie is the reason that they're doing this. But I think this move was more to increase the popularity of the ASG, and maybe even win back those it lost after Miller Park (like EVERYONE who followed the Brewers during Selig's ownership), rather than ensure the game gets played to completion. The ASG hadn't mattered for years and years and this was a way to have it directly an impact the baseball season. Making sure the game gets completed is as simple as not calling it until it's done.

[Ski]

This is the first all star game I'll actually be watching.

 

I predict Soto will go deep and Fukudome will make a great catch in the outfield.

[tenritsu]

Wow, please win this NL :mrgreen:

[NonProfitCow]

Looks like Lincecum is unavailable, so that sucks.

[cubs121]

Looks like Lincecum is unavailable, so that sucks.

Aww man.. Well i guess we will have to rest it all on Sheets to go all 9 and and throw close to 200 pitches... :D