All Star Game

[Jasonbay44]

I liked the home run derby. Harper took it really serious and really wanted to win, which was cool. He put on a show in the final round.

[S5Dewey]

Meh. I didn't watch it, but then again I'm a defense guy. Now, if they want to have something like they do in Punt, Pass, Kick where outfielders try to make accurate throws from the OF to home plate or 2B I'd watch that!

 

I know I'm in the minority there so it'll never happen though. Chicks and everyone else digs the long ball.

[Bellhorn04]

I love it when guys who participate in the Home Run Derby go into big slumps after the ASB.

 

I love it when guys skip the Home Run Derby because they're worried it will mess up their swings.

 

I guess I'm a sick person.

[Slasher9]

remember when Paps choked out bryce? kinda wish he choked out his dad too.....

 

S5: my 12u boys are doing Cooperstown tournament in 2 weeks. after opening ceremony we have a skills competition. of course HR derby is part of it but there is also:

Pitcher: accuracy & speed

catcher: POP time & accuracy throw to 2b

OF: accuracy throw home

INF: throwing velocity

speed: time 2nd to home.

 

Perhaps the major leagues can incorporate some of these into a total skills competition instead of just HR derby?

[Bellhorn04]

I was also probably one of the few people who thought the Paps-Harper thing was funny as heck.

[notin]

Meh. I didn't watch it, but then again I'm a defense guy. Now, if they want to have something like they do in Punt, Pass, Kick where outfielders try to make accurate throws from the OF to home plate or 2B I'd watch that!

 

I know I'm in the minority there so it'll never happen though. Chicks and everyone else digs the long ball.

 

God I hope youre joking. You just advocated for replacing the home run derby with two people playing catch.

 

I like defense, but if it ever comes down to drills like that, just replace the home run derby with a few episodes of “The Rockford Files” and call it a day...

[S5Dewey]

God I hope youre joking. You just advocated for replacing the home run derby with two people playing catch.

 

I like defense, but if it ever comes down to drills like that, just replace the home run derby with a few episodes of “The Rockford Files” and call it a day...

 

Not at all replacing, supplementing. But like I said, it'll never happen. Defensive skills don't get the glamour that hitting HR's does.

For me, I'd rather see Mookie throw a runner out trying to go from 1st to 3rd than see him hit a HR. Not that there's anything wrong with a HR.

[S5Dewey]

remember when Paps choked out bryce? kinda wish he choked out his dad too.....

 

S5: my 12u boys are doing Cooperstown tournament in 2 weeks. after opening ceremony we have a skills competition. of course HR derby is part of it but there is also:

Pitcher: accuracy & speed

catcher: POP time & accuracy throw to 2b

OF: accuracy throw home

INF: throwing velocity

speed: time 2nd to home.

 

Perhaps the major leagues can incorporate some of these into a total skills competition instead of just HR derby?

 

Ya! That's what I'm talking about!!

[SoxnCycles]

His dad looks like he rapey....

 

 

LOL That's hilarious!

[notin]

Not at all replacing, supplementing. But like I said, it'll never happen. Defensive skills don't get the glamour that hitting HR's does.

For me, I'd rather see Mookie throw a runner out trying to go from 1st to 3rd than see him hit a HR. Not that there's anything wrong with a HR.

 

Let's be honest. They removed the home field advantage aspect from the All Star game. As far as I am concermed, a sac bunt skills compeition would be fine after that massive and much-needed fix.

 

Whatever they do is gong to get overblown anyway, since the day before and the day after the All Star game are the only 2 days of the year with no actual sports to cover...

[Jack Flap]

I'd assumed previously that we'd have no shot at Harper this winter (and we probably still don't), but with the season he's having, I wonder if he'd ever go for a JD Martinez-type contract with generous opt-outs this offseason, allowing him to rebuild some value and try again in a couple of years. Just musing here.

[Kimmi]

Didn't you watch the celebrity softball game? AL won so they get home field advantage in the WS.

 

I missed the celebrity softball game this year, but I very much enjoy watching it.

[Kimmi]

Meh. I didn't watch it, but then again I'm a defense guy. Now, if they want to have something like they do in Punt, Pass, Kick where outfielders try to make accurate throws from the OF to home plate or 2B I'd watch that!

 

I know I'm in the minority there so it'll never happen though. Chicks and everyone else digs the long ball.

 

Not chicks.

 

The saying needs to be changed to "Dudes dig the long ball."

[Kimmi]

Line ups, for anyone who cares:

 

1. Mookie Betts, RF, Red Sox

2. Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros

3. Mike Trout, CF, Angels

4. J.D. Martinez, DH, Red Sox

5.Jose Ramirez, 3B, Guardians

6. Aaron Judge, LF, Yankees

7. Manny Machado, SS, Orioles

8. Jose Abreu, 1B, White Sox

9. Salvador Perez, C, Royals

 

Chris Sale, P, Red Sox

 

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE

1. Javier Baez, 2B, Cubs

2. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies

3. Paul Goldschmidt, DH, D-backs

4. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves

5. Matt Kemp, LF, Dodgers

6. Bryce Harper, CF, Nationals

7. Nick Markakis, RF, Braves

8. Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants

9. Willson Contreras, C, Cubs

 

Max Scherzer, P, Nationals

[oldtimer]

Not at all replacing, supplementing. But like I said, it'll never happen. Defensive skills don't get the glamour that hitting HR's does.

For me, I'd rather see Mookie throw a runner out trying to go from 1st to 3rd than see him hit a HR. Not that there's anything wrong with a HR.

 

Imagine a competition where outfielders tried to make the fastest and most accurate throw home and they threw their arm out. Great for the game?

[Jack Flap]

The Home Run Derby seems like a joke without Martinez, Betts, Judge, Trout, Stanton, Machado, Nelson Cruz, Jose Ramirez, or really anyone else from the AL you might expect to be there...not that I blame any of those guys for turning it down.

 

I agree with those saying some kind of skills contest could be fun and a nice change of pace. (Except now I'm picturing JBJ getting hurt diving for fly balls or testing his arm.)

 

Maybe I'm just a debbie downer when it comes to all things All-Star break. It's fun and all, but every year I mostly spend it eagerly awaiting the return of real baseball games, lol.

[a700hitter]

The Home Run Derby seems like a joke without Martinez, Betts, Judge, Trout, Stanton, Machado, Nelson Cruz, Jose Ramirez, or really anyone else from the AL you might expect to be there...not that I blame any of those guys for turning it down.

 

I agree with those saying some kind of skills contest could be fun and a nice change of pace. (Except now I'm picturing JBJ getting hurt diving for fly balls or testing his arm.)

 

Maybe I'm just a debbie downer when it comes to all things All-Star break. It's fun and all, but every year I mostly spend it eagerly awaiting the return of real baseball games, lol.

I didn’t watch a minute of it. The entire season is a Home Run Derby. We saw a pretty spectacular Home Run Derby when Price last pitched against the Yankees.

[Bellhorn04]

I didn’t watch a minute of it. The entire season is a Home Run Derby. We saw a pretty spectacular Home Run Derby when Price last pitched against the Yankees.

 

That's an ouch.

[Spudboy]

If there has to be a HR derby, I believe the fair way to declare a winner is to have all 8 hitters go two rounds and whoever has the most HR's after those two rounds wins. If there's a tie, then those hitters do a 2 minute round to determine a winner.

 

I like your format much better.

 

I think the whole thing is kind of stupid. Swinging for the fences on BP pitches.

 

No, I did not watch the celebrity game. I was watching Don Lemon.

[Spudboy]

Once upon a time the ASG was played as a matter of pride by the players to prove their league was better than the other. The gams was played seriously and was good entertainment because it was played seriously. Now we've come to a time where that pride of league pretty much doesn't exist and the game is almost played with the seriousness of the celebrity softball game. Just a gathering of super rich people getting together for a pick-up ballgame. Unfortunately, if one wants the game to be played seriously now, money has to be involved. Perhaps if the players on the winning team each receives half a million dollars and the players on the losing team get nothing, the game would probably be played with more seriousness. That's me definitely being cynical, but I really believe it, seriously.

 

Valid opinions.

[Spudboy]

remember when Paps choked out bryce? kinda wish he choked out his dad too.....

 

S5: my 12u boys are doing Cooperstown tournament in 2 weeks. after opening ceremony we have a skills competition. of course HR derby is part of it but there is also:

Pitcher: accuracy & speed

catcher: POP time & accuracy throw to 2b

OF: accuracy throw home

INF: throwing velocity

speed: time 2nd to home.

 

Perhaps the major leagues can incorporate some of these into a total skills competition instead of just HR derby?

 

I'd watch that.

[S5Dewey]

Imagine a competition where outfielders tried to make the fastest and most accurate throw home and they threw their arm out. Great for the game?

 

Hey, I was just fantasizing a bit.

 

There's also the risk of straining an oblique with some of those swings they use in the HR Derby!

[Spudboy]

I was also probably one of the few people who thought the Paps-Harper thing was funny as heck.

 

lol.

 

Right there with you.

[a700hitter]

I was also probably one of the few people who thought the Paps-Harper thing was funny as heck.

Me too, and Harper deserved to get choked out.

[Hitch]

I didn’t watch a minute of it. The entire season is a Home Run Derby. We saw a pretty spectacular Home Run Derby when Price last pitched against the Yankees.

 

 

Okay, so THAT is funny.

[a700hitter]

Okay, so THAT is funny.

The unifying power of humor.

[Carbo-Diem]

One reason to watch the game is all this Machado nonsense and hysteria. Wouldn't it be just like Baltimore to want him to represent them one last time, have a deal in place to announce right after the game, then watch him tear an ACL, tear a labrum or get hit in the wrist during his one inning of being on the field? Priceless.

[S5Dewey]

One reason to watch the game is all this Machado nonsense and hysteria. Wouldn't it be just like Baltimore to want him to represent them one last time, have a deal in place to announce right after the game, then watch him tear an ACL, tear a labrum or get hit in the wrist during his one inning of being on the field? Priceless.

 

The unifying power of humor.

 

Edit: Btw, this reminds me of a friend who always insisted on being right about everything and also insisted that a particular player had torn his labia.

 

I didn't even bother.... I just let him continue to make a fool of himself.

Edited July 17, 2018 by S5Dewey

[sk7326]

The Home Run Derby seems like a joke without Martinez, Betts, Judge, Trout, Stanton, Machado, Nelson Cruz, Jose Ramirez, or really anyone else from the AL you might expect to be there...not that I blame any of those guys for turning it down.

 

I agree with those saying some kind of skills contest could be fun and a nice change of pace. (Except now I'm picturing JBJ getting hurt diving for fly balls or testing his arm.)

 

Maybe I'm just a debbie downer when it comes to all things All-Star break. It's fun and all, but every year I mostly spend it eagerly awaiting the return of real baseball games, lol.

 

I didn't watch - frankly it is too long, though from my memory of last year the clock helps. A more varied skills competition would be cool - but I am not sure what that would look like.

[Carbo-Diem]

Let's unify some more: question: what is old, black and blue and lying on it's back?

answer: a 70 yr. old lady after gary sanchez sucker punches her