On the Cusp of Excitement

In honor of Peter King, Brett Favre's second-biggest fan (I think Dawn has him beat), here are 10 things I think I think after staying up way, way, way too late last night.

1. That went from being a pretty good All-Star Game to a really good one to the fringe of disaster, but in the end it ranks among the most memorable.

2. Weird game, too. Paps gives up a run (with help from Navarro) in an inning in which he gives up just a single and a flyout and fans two. But then Aaron Cook dances on the fringe twice, first escaping unscathed after loading the bases with none out in the 10th, and then, two innings later, allowing the first four batters to reach base, yet again allowing no runs.

3. Granted, the NL needed two phantom tags to get out of the 12th, but there's not much to argue there. They were definitely fringe calls; both throws beat the runner by a good margin, and the umps don't have instant replay. As Lou Piniella told that ump 457 times last night, you're doin' a great job!

4. Dan, that was uggla. As it turns out, though, the three errors didn't wind up hurting nearly as much as stranding six guys on base, including two separate chokejobs with a runner on third and one out. At least you had company, as the two squads combined to go ... (checking official stats online) ... 3 for 114 with runners in scoring position. Please, someone, anyone, knock in a run; you're infringing on our sleep.

5. Removing Jeter mid-inning: classy. Removing A-Rod mid-inning: classy. Bringing in Mo mid-inning: classy. Actively, loudly rooting against your league in the 8th just to stick it to a guy who basically called your stopper the best (like there's any debate), yet said he'd like to close the game anyway? This after the lovely respect Francona gave your starters, and after Drew tied the game? Um, whatever. Listen, I don't get my entire lunatic-fringe worldview from one-word New York Post headlines, so you'll excuse my confusion.

6. Yes, it's about home-field advantage in the World Series, so I understand if the crowd didn't care who won, but excuse us fans of teams who'll still be playing in October if we take just a fringe of interest in the outcome.

7. I know, I know, it's not a big deal. In a country where a great number of people have long been rooting for us to lose a war in order to win elections, a bunch of drunks rooting against their team's league for one inning is a fringe issue at best. But I still can't imagine Yankee fans of even five or 10 years ago -- you know, when they expected to win in October -- being so petty. I expect that sort of thing from Rays fans. Seriously, when I look back at my old life, I'm so thankful I got saved.

8. Loved Buck and McCarver commenting on how much warmer Youkilis' reception was from the crowd. That's funny stuff. Brought me to the fringe of actually tolerating them.

9. I know no one expects All-Star Games to run 15 innings, and managers always want to get as many guys in as they can. So when the game does run long, there's really nothing you can do about having to stick with your fringe players. But, geez, wouldn't the NL have liked to have Berkman or Pujols around after midnight, or what? And since I've just learned this morning that J.D. Drew has a knuckleball, I'm almost sorry it didn't go longer.

10. No baseball tonight, so I guess we'll be sifting through the lean summer TV pickings. Anyone have any viewing recommendations for the fall? I have no idea what's gonna be on. 

Comments

[jeff]

you're so full of sh*t!!!! get over it.

[Joe]

Oh, be nice.

[jeff]

you act like sawx fans are model citizens and never would boo a yankee player in a similar situation. i don't live up there anymore but from what i can tell they act pretty similar...they act like a bunch of asses. and that's okay because it's just a baseball game.
btw, they didn't boo jd drew when he hit a 2-run hr.
i fell asleep in the 13th, didn't see the end.

[Jax]

helloooo we're the fans who gave Clemens a standing O! Red Sox Nation rules! ;)

[Joe]

Nope, not saying that at all. Both teams have their share of jerks in the seats, no doubt. But that wasn't just booing, it was unmerciful ripping. Not that Paps can't take it; he's a big boy. But it really seemed to me that the fans WANTED him to give up a run so they could boo him some more. Sorry, I just don't get it. I'm not sure any All-Star Game, ever, has seen that sort of treatment for a guy on the OTHER league's team, let alone your own.

As for his performance, I'm sure he would have liked to have avoided allowing a baserunner and then to have gotten a K for the second out with a man on third, but what the heck. Motivation for next time, I guess.

[jeff]

you're also the fans who threw trash on the field in the 99 alcs after a bad call the from the ump...

[Dawn]

I cannot help it. For me, Favre is to football what Tek is to baseball. Even when the chips are down, I cannot speak ill.

Point number 2: I take particular pleasure in the fact that Dioner "that's not a real first name" Navarro made a throwing error. I can't help it. I have been subjected to Duh-Wayne Staaaaaaaats & Joe Migraine harping all season about what a flawless catcher Navvy is.

Point number 6 made me cheer. (Inside my head though. I *am* at work.)

Point number 8: I about peed my pants laughing when Yogi called Joe Buck what I could swear was Jack. And that's the only thing I can't say about Joe Buck that doesn't need to be censored. McCarver is annoying, in that John Madden kind of way, but I cannot take anymore preening from Pretty Princess Boy, who came right out & said that he finds baseball boring.

Point number 9: I think Tito needs to put him in during some game, late in the season (provided we're not in a division race), just for ha-ha's. I have no problem admitting I rode JD hard last season & I love that he's won me ovah!

Point number 10: I think I am finally calmed down after the last several Sox games, during which my blood pressure soared to what I am sure are dangerous levels. (Good thing I fell asleep before the end of last night's game, huh?) Which means I am ready for more baseball again. And there isn't even some other team to settle for today. I suppose I will be watching reruns of Ghost Whisperer -- which I cannot believe I admit to watching but it's like a trainwreck. Once you look, you can't stop.

[Joe]

Just like Jon & Kate!

Hee.

[Joe]

Hey ... I'm recommended reading! Yay for me!

[Dawn]

Exactly like Jon & Kate. Sucks you right in & you have to see what happens next.

*Definitely* recommended reading!

[jeff]

"excuse us fans of teams who'll still be playing in October if we take just a fringe of interest in the outcome."

Excuse you??? Are you serious??? Yanks have been in the playoffs 13 yrs in a row. Sorry for having a few down years, we do have at some point to rebiuld, 5 gms over 500 and still in the race. I guess being in 6 ws in 8 yrs doesn't mean anything anymore. Unreal.
Joe, I remember you getting all cocky when the pats went 18-0...then the G-MEN came and punched yall in the mouth. Funny, I didn't see anything on your blog about that. I know, it must have been a busy month at work.
Was Tom Brady at game wearing his Yankee hat...thats got hurt.

[Joe]

You're a little defensive today.

[jeff]

nope, just trying to stir things up. it seemed to work. 13 comments.

[Joe]

Yeah, no kidding. I think that's a record.

[jeff]

i guess we can debate about who has better fans, omaha or little rock (no one will understand that)