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Wait, Hurdle is to blame for playing all of his players? I watched most of the game and I could have sworn that Buck said Francona only had 1 player left on his bench in about the 6th or 7th. So the managers managed the same way (to get everyone into the game). The AL is just deeper than the NL, when it comes to talent. The starters for each league are pretty evenly matched. But the AL bench was far superior to the NL bench, if you ask me (sizemore, Longoria, Morneau, Kinsler). And the RPs are much better (Nathan, Paps, KRod, Rivera in consecutive innings - holy crap).

I don't like the choices, so I didn't vote. But I think it's BS that HFA is determined by the ASG. I think if the teams are closely matched, it can make a big difference.

Managers burn through the roster b/c they want everyone to get into the game. If they had known it would go 15 innings, they'd let the starters play 7 or more. But if you add 5 more guys to each side, you'll just see managers start makings switches earlier. Even though they want to win, they're not going to keep 7 guys on their bench for the whole game. Most of the fun of being selected an All Star is actually getting to play. I think making it count just makes the game stressful for the manager. It's hard enough balancing 30 egos, but to be stuck in extras with no bench b/c you tried to get every player into a 9 inning game is just BS.

solid Then again, I'm not sure Braun had any intention of taking a ball much less a walk. exactly - it may "count" but it's still an exhibition.

solid

Cliff Lee isn't impressed.

I went to my first Cubs game at 7 and sat in the 2nd row behind the Mets dugout. I loved every minute of it and can still remember yelling to Strawberry as he went into the dugout (got him to look up and my mom took his picture). Maybe I'm the exception, but I'm really glad my parents took me to a game that young. But to your point, I have a young son and my parents have wanted to take him to a game since he was 1. We went to our first college football game last fall and he loved it. Then he fell asleep in the 2nd quarter and we left in the 3rd quarter. I don't have a problem with people taking kids to a game and then leaving early if they get bored/tired. If they're over the age of 5 they'll probably remember (or "remember" upon seeing pictures) and it'll be a cool memory. And if they leave early, why do you care? I can't understand why this would be so bothersome. I get annoyed sitting by young kids at certain things, but it's not like I need total peace to watch baseball at a stadium. I'd rather have the annoying 8 year old for a few innings than the guy that swears all the time or talks like he know everything but actually makes everyone around him a little dumber.

the 2004 team had a better record which is a better indication of the quality of a team: it's record over 162 games or whether it makes it 2 rounds into the playoffs? PWNED

I hate Dempster's glove waggle. I also hate Dice-Ks butt wiggle. I like the high leg kicks, but did Marichal ever kick the ball out of his hand? That would suck. I also like tiny tim's delivery. Cracked me up watching it this weekend.

John McLaughlin approves of this poll.

That would be the reason for me, too. When my son's 10 or so, it might be different. But he's 3 and wants us to be the same (heck, if we're both wearing a blue shirt and khaki shorts, he thinks it's the coolest thing in the world). So if he wants me to bring a glove to a game b/c he's bringing his - well, his enjoyment is more important to me than whether faceman thinks I'm cool. I'm over 30, I'm married and have a kid - I could give a rip what you think is "cool."

It never was. Some would disagree. But I've always thought it was fine if you have children with you.

Need a K first.

All of it. He misplayed it over his head. Or Lou's for not having Johnson out there. DeRosa's not exactly Hammerin' Hank. Can't we just play him at 2B and use a real OF in the OF?

How much of that "double" is on DeRosa - those of us on Gameday can't tell.

I'm so good. 3 > 1

Kosuke should hit for Johnson. Reed sucks so much against RHP.

to sign with the Bears?!?!?!?

I want to work at your company...you hiring? You a patent attorney with an EE background?

Sitting here watching this on Gameday and my secretary brings me a chocolate sundae. Happy Friday. Now let's score already.

Fontenot, yes. And considering his experience there lasted what, a couple innings, last year, I doubt Lou sees him as an option. DeRosa, maybe, although one might think he'd have played there more before if Lou considers him viable there. If you do that though, you have to be prepared to say goodbye to Cedeno. He's out of options, and while he's not much right now, if Theriot falls off a cliff/gets seriously hurt, there's no one else in the system besides him that would play there for an extended stretch. Yea I forgot about Fontenots stint at SS last year. On Cedeno, I really dont know what to do with him. He started out the year so good, and then has struggled trying to be bench player. Im in the same camp as everyone else though, our biggest "need" is for a power bat off the bench, because having Cedeno, Johnson, and Blanco as your RH side of the bench doenst put much fear into anybody. You can't get rid of Cedeno and he was good enough in AAA the last 2 times he's been there and the week that he got consistent starts in MLB this year that he'd be gone the second he hit waivers. I like Blake a lot, and I'd probably get rid of one of the RPs. With both Lieber and Gaudin, I think we have enough guys that can eat innings and we can shuffle a few guys over the next several weeks if we burn through the bullpen. Although, if we have Fontenot, who's hit pretty well off the bench, do we need Ward? Yea I wasnt advocating getting rid of Cedeno(See the sig). I just really dont see him getting his chance to play with the Cubs though. Yeah, I agree, but he's an insurance policy we need right now.

I don't think it's a matter of people saying that the salary will make the player better. I'm not sure why you keep going back to that, which is a causal relationship no one has asserted.

He's out a month, so he should be pretty cheap.

Fontenot, yes. And considering his experience there lasted what, a couple innings, last year, I doubt Lou sees him as an option. DeRosa, maybe, although one might think he'd have played there more before if Lou considers him viable there. If you do that though, you have to be prepared to say goodbye to Cedeno. He's out of options, and while he's not much right now, if Theriot falls off a cliff/gets seriously hurt, there's no one else in the system besides him that would play there for an extended stretch. Yea I forgot about Fontenots stint at SS last year. On Cedeno, I really dont know what to do with him. He started out the year so good, and then has struggled trying to be bench player. Im in the same camp as everyone else though, our biggest "need" is for a power bat off the bench, because having Cedeno, Johnson, and Blanco as your RH side of the bench doenst put much fear into anybody. You can't get rid of Cedeno and he was good enough in AAA the last 2 times he's been there and the week that he got consistent starts in MLB this year that he'd be gone the second he hit waivers. I like Blake a lot, and I'd probably get rid of one of the RPs. With both Lieber and Gaudin, I think we have enough guys that can eat innings and we can shuffle a few guys over the next several weeks if we burn through the bullpen. Although, if we have Fontenot, who's hit pretty well off the bench, do we need Ward?

I'm trying to remember the Keith Law quote - "never give up on a left-handed pitcher until he can no longer comb his hair" or something to that effect. Left handers have an advantage in certain respects, but on a baseball field, 4/8 defensive positions are eliminated from the realm of possible positions. And most of the lefties that I grew up with and even know now couldn't throw a baseball straight to save their life.