Morneau finds himself at the center of it all — again
Posted on July 16th, 2008 – 1:41 AMBy Joe Christensen
(An early morning post from the Yankee Stadium clubhouse, where Justin Morneau’s face was still bright red when reporters gathered around him in the clubhouse.)
NEW YORK — Twins first baseman Justin Morneau slid home with the winning run, jumped to his feet and hugged his closest teammate. It was Chicago White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin.
Never mind the heated division rivalry. The American League had just finished a 4-3, 15-inning triumph at Yankee Stadium, extending its All-Star unbeaten streak to 12 games.
“At that point, the game’s about 5 1/2 hours old,” Morneau said. “Your legs aren’t exactly feeling great. I had just enough in the tank.”
It was the second walk-off win for the AL in All-Star history. The other came in 1941, when Ted Williams hit a three-run homer off Claude Passeau at Tiger Stadium.
One night after winning the Home Run Derby, Morneau became the AL’s table setter. He replaced Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis in the sixth and had two leadoff base hits, coming around to score twice.
Morneau went 2-for-4 with an intentional walk, as he also missed chances to bring home the go-ahead run in the eighth and the 10th.
(Twins catcher Joe Mauer reached base in both of his at-bats, with a single and a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Ian Kinsler in the fifth. Joe Nathan breezed through a scoreless seventh inning with eight pitches.)
“The starters had it easy,” Morneau said. “Five innings, they were out of there. Every at-bat, it seemed like we had a chance to win the game late. It was pretty intense. Guys were snapping after making outs. You could tell guys wanted that game pretty bad.”
At four hours, 50 minutes, it was the longest All-Star Game in history and matched the longest for innings played. The NL defeated the AL 2-1 in 15 innings in 1967.
This time, both teams used all their available pitchers and position players. Tampa Bay’s Scott Kazmir and Philadelphia’s Brad Lidge both entered in the 15th inning, meaning if this game had gone much longer, both teams could have been turning to position players.
“I had no idea,” Morneau said. “It’s a good thing we won it when we did. Nobody wanted to see me pitch, I know that.”
Morneau singled to center field, starting the 15th. Dioner Navarro singled him to second, and J.D. Drew walked, loading the bases. Michael Young followed with a fly ball to right field, about medium depth. Milwaukee’s Corey Hart made a strong throw, and Braves catcher Brian McCann tried to apply the tag.
“It’s one of those things where you hope the throw’s off line,” Morneau said. “He’s got a real good arm — one of the best arms in the National League in right.”
Morneau said he felt “like I was running in quicksand.” He slid foot-first, and it was “about as close as you can get,” he added. Replays showed he was safe.
Let’s see: Win the Home Run Derby and score the winning run in the final All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. Not a bad couple days — or is it three days — for Morneau.
“Definitely,” he said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”
151 Responses to "Morneau finds himself at the center of it all — again"
Mauer had a single and a walk, not a single and a double.
Morneau is my hero!!
Snubbed by the bigger market player for MVP. Its tough being a Minnesota Twin.
I posted this on the main page comments:
A .600 OBP for the game, and did everything fundamentally and exceedingly correct regarding baserunning and defense, 2-4 at the plate, started two run-scoring rallies, had the gas in the tank for the final moments of the contest (just as he did in the Derby), did everything ANY manager would want, drew an intentional walk or this game would have ended an hour and a half ago. But the guy who like four hours ago hit the HR (which wasn’t that deep) gets the MVP. This reminds me of an all-school vote for homecoming MVP. I hate Selig, the unctuous, once-a-used-car-salesman-always-a-used-car-salesman imposter of a MLB commissioner.
Morneau will become a superstar and be covered as much as the Jeter’s and Arod’s of baseball. He is baseball through and through. Justin Morneau is now known by more in the baseball world because of this total All Star performance. Justin Morneau will be a superstar soon !!
Yep once he is about to make too much and goes to a big market he will
Forget Drew’s homer. The real MVP of the game was Brad Lidge for giving up the winning run.
Sherril ALMOST gave up the homer, but alas came up short in the clutch.
@ Call me stupid
If you mean Morneau, he is signed with the team until 2013. That off-season deal is looking pretty good right now!
Oh, since JoeC brought it up…did any media people manage to get a shot of Morneau and Quentin celebrating together.
Because that to me sums up the most important thing about the All-Star game.
Despite the fans booing every Red Sox player in site, the players still look like they’re loving the chance to play with all these different faces.
And seeing Morneau and Quentin celebrating together at home plate (despite the whole “My team is RIGHT ON YOUR BUTTS!” thing) was a great summary of what really matters about the All-Star game.
This whole “It counts” thing needs to go away. It’s fun enough watching rivalries (for hte most part) being set aside.
Also, Zambrano buzzing Manny. Awesome.
What are you smoking that tells you Morneau is the MVP of that game? If he gets a game winning hit in his two extra inning chances maybe- but he had two pretty weak choppers when he could have won it- Drew was clearly the MVP of that game
Neither Drew nor Morneau are the MVPs.
Longoria had the bigger hit. Tying it up in the bottom of hte 8th with his ground rule double (this after Pap closed it)
Brief seque: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar08/news/story?id=3491135
(You stay classy New York)
But if you really want to get right down to it: Kazmir came out of the pen on 3 days rest, George Sherril went 2-3 innings of great pitching.
All of that coming LONG after Drew’s homer was over.
*2 days rest
*Pap “lost” it
T:
Well, congrats to J.D. Drew anyway. You’ll never believe what I found on Wikipedia:
“J.D. Drew American Baseball Player.
Justin David Drew (born November 20, 1975 in Valdosta, Georgia) is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Boston Red Sox”
t; typical espn everything is about the red sox-yankees.
J.D. Drew did have a 2 run homer, was also 2-4, drew a walk, and stole a base. Picking him for MVP wasn’t some sort of slight at Morneau by the big markets. He just had a better game.
no doubt how can you guys say it is bias to pick JD Drew as MVP over Morneau?? will the “MN sports gets no respect” whining ever end??
romer, you need to change your name to ‘homer’. This is two days in a row you’ve had unbelievably wrong takes about how Minnesota Twins got screwed by the media.
Justin Morneau had a great game last night…one not dissimilar from what we see pretty much every night out…he has power, but he also picks up the little hits, too.
However, there can be NO argument, none at all whatsoever, that J.D. Drew deserved the MVP. Let’s see…he hits the game-tying HR when the AL faced a 2-0 defecit in the seventh inning…and he comes up with the GW RBI in the 15th inning. Enough said…this is not east coast media bias, this is common sense.
Anyway, Morneau did a nice job of putting himself on the national map when most baseball fans across the country only know the Twins for Joe Mauer (this is in spite of the fact that Morneau has an MVP to his credit already). Actually, all three Twins did very well as Joe C. summarized. What a fun game…I won’t lie…I didn’t stay up for all of it…but in watching the highlights, I was very glad to see that it appeared everyone played hard to the end. It is, by far, the best All-Star game of any of the four major pro sports.
I’ll play the role of the contrarian, I guess. While a case can be made for Doc as MVP, but he did “fail” to come through a couple of times, too. I probably would have given it to Sherril, who was one guy who went above and beyond his normal work and kept the NL at bay.
I’ll also say that I like the fact that they make this game meaningful by giving the WS home field to the league who wins. I’m not sure we’d have seen nearly the effort/emotion out of the players late in that game without it “counting”. You’d like to think they’d put out that effort out of a sense of pride, but I just don’t think that’s the case.
JASON:
Besides not deserving it, why does Drew need that Four Wheel Drive he won, in Boston? There ain’t any snow there! ! !
And Tahoes run on Ethanol. They don’t have E85 in Boston either. The only kind of gas they make in Boston is from Beans!
Sorry that was uncalled for, but when I get riled up I resort to bathroom humor.
Jason, I did stay up to watch it all and while I’m not going to trust my memory too much today, I’m pretty sure Michael Young got the game winning RBI with the sac fly that scored Doc in the 15th.
no news on possible trades bet they stand pat. saw a note that rockies are more likely to trade atkins than holliday. he could sure help us.
lol how does he not deserve it?
The AL was kept off the board for 6+ innings until Drew came up with that HR in the seventh? Without that HR, the NL probably wins this thing…and he just so happened to have the GW RBI.
If you think about it, in these situations, when the game is close, the MVP usually goes to the guy who hits the GW RBI. I thought it was a no-brainer. Morneau had two chances to claim the MVP…in the eighth and tenth innings.
Mudcat you honestly think Morneau should have won MVP for choking in the 8th and 10th innings - when he could have won the game?? “Twin koolaid” must be flowing!!
OK, Crikket, my bad….
well, then I suppose you could go back and forth…
still, biggest hit of the game was Drew’s HR, correct?
yup. shameless homer.
Morneau had a very nice game, but JD Drew hit a 2 run homer. This is why Drew won MVP not because Morneau plays for the Twins. Kirby Puckett won the all star MVP and I think he played for the Twins.
will the “MN sports gets no respect” whining ever end??
And once again, point missed. I haven’t made it about Morneau (guess flat out saying: “Drew and Morneau aren’t the MVPs” isn’t clear enough).
I don’t think Drew gets the MVP nod had the AL won it in 9, I think Longoria would’ve ended up with it for his big tying hit after Pap had just given it up. Or whoever hits the walkoff in the ninth.
But because it went another 6 innings, there was plenty of game and performances following Drew’s homer to earn major credit.
Had the NL won, I was thinking Cook should’ve been the MVP for being able to go three innings.
For the AL, how about Sherril? Pitching in his longest outing since 2004?
Longoria had the clutch tying hit, and Young drove in the winning run.
But I also jokingly suggested Lidge just because he was the guy who finally gave up the winning run.
Put down the “Homer” flag for a second and actually read posts for once. You’ll be surprised what you learn.
and he comes up with the GW RBI in the 15th inning.
Michael Young drove in the winning run with a sacfly. I have no idea where Drew was in that situation. Maybe standing somewhere on base?
Morneau doesn’t get it simply for being 2 runs, as he still needed somebody behind him to drive him in. He also had at least TWO opportunities with the tying run on 3rd to do something.
I think the bigger story wasn’t Morneau’s inability to drive one in with two outs…but the AL’s almost reluctance to aim for a sac-fly to win it when they had numerous opportunities in extra innings to drive one in from 3rd that way.
On another note: How about Francona’s baserunning decisions late in the game. With an All-Star lineup he has Navarro going from 2nd to home and getting gunned down.
If Navarro stays at 3rd, he’s there with 1 out and a friggin’ ALL STAR LINEUP behind him that you shouldn’t have to worry about driving one in.
I liked some of the aggressive base running (Sizemore’s steal sets up Longoria’s game-tying GRD) but as it got late in the game I think he was getting over anxious. Especially when each out the AL records on the bases is one out closer to another pitcher having to be burned for Francona.
One last note: If Kazmir was on a pitch count…why not go to him EARLIER in the game, rather than leaving him for last?
Let me pitch maybe an inning and then sit. That way you have a guy like Saunders or Santana available later in the game who can maybe give you 3 innings. (Hurdle did a better job managing his starters but started to get a bit messy with his pen)
And how genious of Clint to go with Cook for three innings. You can’t complain about stretching a pitcher, because it’s Hurdle’s guy out there. Maybe that’s what managers should do for All-Star games. The Sunday after the game, they look at their pitching staff and they pick a starter or long reliever who they bring with as a “just in case guy”.
That way if the game starts to go long, they can go to a guy from their own team and pitch him maybe 3-4 innings. Then if something happens…he has to answer to his own boss, but doesn’t have to worry about getting in trouble for ruining another team’s player.
Without that HR, the NL probably wins this thing…
Without Longoria’s GRD (and the preceding steal by Sizemore), the NL probably wins this thing.
It’s all interpretation. I’m just saying that there were bigger hits (and clutchier performances) following Drew.
But I think it’s all moot, as don’t the FANS vote for the MVP anyway?
Papelbon did not lose it, he gave up a single and an unearned run. It wasn’t even his error.
Maybe based on Jason’s theory, the MVP should have been Young. Anyway… Drew and Morneau both played major offensive roles. I could make a case for either one so I just don’t think you can say either “didn’t” deserve the award.
Given the relative dominance by pitchers, I probably would have given it to Sherrill who went 2 and a third innings, giving up just one hit. If the NL had won, Cook might have been my choice with his 3 shutout innings, even though he struggled more than Sherrill.
oh, T, what do the fans know? they voted for Varitek. But you guys convinced me, I’m changing my mind.
DAN UGGLA FOR MVP ! ! !
If you didn’t stay up for the game, he was ugly! The poor guy couldn’t catch a
cold.
wow T you must have a gulity conscience I never said you were whining about supposed lack of Twins respect? please read more carefully next time!
you must have a gulity conscience I never said you were whining about supposed lack of Twins respect?
During the Derby you had me wrapped in that homer group for suggesting the ESPN coverage (before and after Hamilton) was poor.
If you didn’t stay up for the game, he was ugly! The poor guy couldn’t catch a cold.
I saw that. I’m REALLY glad that they didn’t win it that inning…otherwise Uggla’d have never heard the end of it. Though he did go 0-3 with 3Ks I believe.
OUCH.
maybe the “Blog Monitor” needs to more carefully look for things to correct other commenters on!
T, I’m pretty sure the Rays asked Francona not to pitch Kazmir at all if it could be avoided. That’s why he didn’t throw an inning earlier and why he was going to be strictly limited. NL had the same situation with Webb, but being the visiting team, their situation was just slightly different, perhaps.
Did you expect Francona to run out there from the dugout and give Navarro the stop sign in the middle of the play? I have a hard time seeing how that was his “decision.” The only dumb move he made was using Rodriguez for one out.
“On another note: How about Francona’s baserunning decisions late in the game. With an All-Star lineup he has Navarro going from 2nd to home and getting gunned down.
If Navarro stays at 3rd, he’s there with 1 out and a friggin’ ALL STAR LINEUP behind him that you shouldn’t have to worry about driving one in.”
I don’t know - they play at home on Navarro was just as close as the play on Morneau. It took a PERFECT throw by McLouth and a great pick by Martin to get him, and I still think he might have snuck his foot in under the tag. I don’t have a problem sending him there.
I agree, Pete. I actually thought Navarro was safe. Wasn’t a particularly good night for the umpires. That play and two at second base appeared to have been missed calls (though all three were so close, you couldn’t complain too loudly). I do think that by the time Doc scored, it was going to take something pretty obvious for him to be called out at home!
Reading various stories this morning, it sounds like we were on the verge of being treated to a Wright vs Drew pitching match up. Almost enough to make you wish it had gone another inning or two, no? OK… maybe not.
I love your passion guys. It amazes me how much some of you care about who won the MVP of an exhibition game (let alone an actual game). Seriously, great passion for the game.
Hopefully the Twins make a deal….the more I thought about Beltre last night, the more I liked that idea.
I see ESPN has an ‘insider’ article about the Twins’ interest in Beltre. Doubt it sheds any more light than what’s already been written, but if you’ve got the ‘insider’ subscription, you might check it out.
MVP = 3B Christian Guzman
Well…okay…I just wanted to mention him.
I, too, thought using Cook in the late inning was a smart move by Hurdle.
“I see ESPN has an ‘insider’ article about the Twins’ interest in Beltre. Doubt it sheds any more light than what’s already been written, but if you’ve got the ‘insider’ subscription, you might check it out.”
It had nothing. In fact, most posts about Beltre on these blogs have been longer.
You know, I saw someone mention it before - sorry, I can’t remember who - but Casey Blake should be given a hard look at by the Twins. He should cost less than Beltre, is a right handed hitter with 20 homer power, and used to be in the organization.
I like the idea of Beltre. Milton Bradley has been mentioned also, but is he available? Or would we have to throw in a Get Out Of Jail Free card or something to trade for him?
Well we all pretty much are agreeing that it was a great All Star game.
1) How bad did we feel for Uggla? The poor guy goes 0 for 4 with three K’s and ground into a double play with the go-ahead run on third in his only other at-bat. I’m almost glad the AL didn’t win it (was it the 10th?) the inning he made two errors.
2) I’d also support the Sherril for MVP chatter. Comes in and strikes out Gonzalez on three pitches with the bases chucked … then throws two more shutout frames!
3) I like sending Navarro in the 10th. As some have mentioned, replays show he could’ve been called safe as easily as he was called out. I’d have laughed if Morneau was called out in the 15th … Bud would’ve put out a hit on the umpire!
4) Tim McCarver has his head in that Yankees-Red Sox crap more than anyone else. In extra innings, he’s talking about how an AL win would ’soothe’ the BoSox-Yanks rivalry that was stirred up with Pap’s comments about Rivera - while the AL is rallying! Also talks about how the Twins are contending “out of nowhere.” Yeah - four division titles in six years out of nowhere. I had to turn the sound off. He’s also saying dumb stuff like “Sherril’s stance before he delivers is the most closed stance with which to work than any pitcher I’ve seen” … What a linguistic master!
There were some posts referring to “Doc”. Is this Morneau? Where did this come from?
i noticed that too walter johnson. don’t they know we call him “Jason”?
WYATT:
I missed Papplesmear’s comments about Riviera. What were they? I read where Pabst said his wife was threatened during the parade.
Re: Right-handed bat that hits lefties well
In the hour before the start of the home run derby on Monday, I reviewed the rosters and stats of MLB teams that I thought would be out of the playoff race. I came up with the following list of players who would fulfill the aforementioned criteria: Carlos Lee, Adrian Beltre, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Chipper Jones, Xavier Nady & Casey Blake. CLee’s massive contract likely rules him out as an option…Beltre and Blake continued to be bandied about…I’d be happy to see any of those guys in a Twins uni- within the following 2 weeks.
NY paper took something Papelbon said totally out of context (shocking, I know) and printed a huge headline making it appear he had claimed he should close and not Rivera.
I don’t remember when some of us started calling Morneau “Doc”. Most good nicknames have roots in Bat-girl’s now defunct blog and I’m guessing that’s where I picked it up. Of course, he may now forever be called “Jason”. Since Bartlett and Tyner are no longer around, why not?
believe its from the hg wells title…The Island of Doctor Moreau
Casey Blake is also an unlikely trade option.
Division rivals.
“Of course, he may now forever be called “Jason”.”
You can call him Jay.
Or you can call him Ray.
Or you can call him Raymond.
Or you can call him RayMo.
Or you can call him JayMo.
“Casey Blake is also an unlikely trade option.
Division rivals.”
While it isn’t common to trade within the division, the Twins did it when they picked up Todd Jones for Mark Redman in 2001, and I am sure there have been many more trades between teams in a division. Blake is out of Cleveland after this year, and I would think that the Twins wouldn’t have too much of a problem dealing with the Indians.
It’s nice to know the Twins will have homefield advantage in the World Series.
I think Drew as MVP is okay. I don’t really care that much. I am more happy that our boys played well (except when Jason/Justin picked up that bunt instead of letting it roll foul).
I also noticed that in nearly every shot of Morneau in the dugout he was standing next to Joe Crede. Maybe trying to convince him to come to Minnesota?
The comments were something like, “Rivera is the godfather of relievers, but I think we both deserve the opportunity to close if it comes to that. It’s just my competitive nature to want to close if there’s an opportunity.”
Either way, McCarver made way too much of it and was talking about this Yanks-BoSox artificial news because he’s an idiot.
“believe its from the hg wells title…The Island of Doctor Moreau”
Thanks Nick! That makes sense.
i love Guuuuuzman!!!
Yes, that’s the root of Doc’s nickname. For a (relatively) complete list, see http://www.bat-girl.com/archives/000388.php
From FOX SPORTS:” Josh Hamilton, Josh Hamilton, Josh Hamilton, Josh Hamilton, Yankee Stadium, Josh Hamilton, Josh Hamilton, Josh Hamilton.”
So am i the only one who wanted to see Rivera blow it last night? Not that i wanted the AL to lose but to see him choke in front of the hometown fans would have been great.
SID:
But ya doesn’t have to call him “Jason” ! ! !
So am i the only one who wanted to see Rivera blow it last night?
Nope. I was also in that boat. Especially after Papelbon gave up the lead.
Either way, McCarver made way too much of it and was talking about this Yanks-BoSox artificial news because he’s an idiot.
McCarver and Buck both. I think the worst though was Buck during one of Hamilton’s ABs.
“He smoked crack.”
Followed shortly after by:
“Here’s a guy who by his own admission was doing everything in his power to kill himself.”
You can talk about his story, but at least be tasteful about it. This is suposed ot be a fun occasion, not a chance to lay everybody’s sob story out there.
As long as I don’t have to listen to Vin Scully, I’m fine.
did anyone read this:
NEW YORK - Hideki Matsui’s left knee swelled, increasing the possibility he will need season-ending surgery and perhaps giving the New York Yankees reason to contemplate signing Barry Bonds.
I was amused that Hamilton was such a bad guy back in the day because of his tattoos.
Russell Martin should have been MVP. He put on a clinic on how to play the catcher position out there. He had a lot of put outs that kept the NL in the game in the late innings. No one in the AL played well enough to deserve it, as much as I’d like to say Morneau should have got it. The real All-Star MVP was Russell Martin of the LA Dodgers.
Speaking of Bonds: http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-allstarfyi16-2008jul16,0,618782.story
Dear Barry,
It’s not called collusion when you’ve got impending legal troubles and are unable to serve any real purpose for an NL team.
Then it’s just called “Nobody wants you.”
Imagine the precident it would set if this happens and they find in Bonds’ favor. Now not only will you have agents like Boras inflating salaries of mediocre players, but you’ll have the players’ union making it a crime for teams to not sign players they don’t want.
The real All-Star MVP was Russell Martin of the LA Dodgers.
I couldn’t agree more. Martin is awesome.
“Then it’s just called “Nobody wants you.””
I cannot imagine for the life of me why no team in MLB would take a chance on Barry Bonds. The man is the greatest hitter of our generation, perhaps of all time. Barry as DH would be an amazing option for almost every American League team, and he could even be in left for a lot of NL teams.
If you are the union, you have to file this. Otherwise, you aren’t serving your members.
If I had to listen to the Bare Naked Ladies songs anymore I would launch projectile vomit over and over again. Is there music out there to torture jimmy bee. Now back to baseball. Can anyone imagine if Morneau got last nights all star game MVP. Man he has good luck over in old NY
JimCrikket -
Thanks for reminding me how much I miss Bat-Girl.
I have wondered often what Bat-Girl would think of/have to say about this season….
I miss her as well. Come back soon!!
Try this if you want to go crazy. Listen to the song One Week from this link 10 times in a row.
Martin is awesome. He was a defensive wizard. My vote for MVP goes to a pitcher though. probably Sherrill. If the NL wins than it’s Cook. In a 15 inning game involving the best players in the league, it’s pretty impressive to keep those offenses in check.
Buck and McCarver are both garbage. Buck is a smug bastard and McCarver is an idiot. The whole Boston/NY rivalry was completely nonsensical. Why would the AL winning it make the upcoming series less tense? Papelbon still said he wanted to close. Yankees fans still threatened his pregnant wife. Which, for the record, would happen in Boston to a Yankees player. Both of those fanbases are classless.
I remember after a game a few years back where McCarver made a complete ass of himself. I don’t remember which game or which player but in the post game interview he asked the player what the player’s mom thought (she was standing next to him on the field) about the game and the player said, “Um… this is my wife.” It was the most awkward moment I’ve ever seen between a commentator and player.
“It’s not called collusion when you’ve got impending legal troubles and are unable to serve any real purpose for an NL team.”
It’s called collusion when you are the best available DH (for the price) for all the AL teams and they all independently and separately (hack! kaff! gag! choke! borka-borka wheeze!) conclude they have no use for you.
I love the Twins and agree Morneau was treated shabbily by the media in the Derby. I also was proud of how Nathan, Morneau and Mauer played. All that said, the MVP SHOULD have gone to Michael Young. If the fat boy from Tampa could have run more than a 8.5 40, Young would have singled in the winning run. Then he hits the Sac Fly to win it. Young is the most clutch player in MLB. He is the Bizarro A-Rod who can’t do anything in big games…
Let’s not forget that he not only won the HR contest, and the game winning run, but from the look on Erin Andrews face… he may have gotten the greatest trophy in sports interested in him.
That is one hell of an All Star memory!
I remember watching Mets games, and McCarver use to be good… then he became a cliche of himself, and now… that ancient fossil is a carbon copy of of a copy of a cliche that was old 20 years ago. He makes our god awful radio announcers almost listenable in comparison. Joe Buck needs someone to remove a foul pole from his ass, and someone to stick a pin in his inflated ego, and bring him back to humanity. When he started he was good, He has become the second most annoying sports entity out there. He is worse than Jim Rome, and my former hero Chris Berman, and is right behind Steven A. Smith for the most annoying pile of filth in the business.
BC what do you think of Wilbon on your sports ratings?
BC i think Steven A Smith is still number one in my book. Erin Andrews is my dream girl man that chick is hot,
For the Twins to get Beltre I think they would have to give up this: Buscher
MLB ready 3b to replace Beltre, P Brian
Duesing,P Yohan Pino or someone similar from AA and AA 1b Brock Peterson because the Mariners have no 1b man right now. We would have to give up alot but if you want a qaulity player that’s what it will take and the Mariners have to try to recoupe some players from the bad deal they made with Baltimore.
BC the only thing I don’t like about Stephen A Smith is. “I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE HE IS YEELLLLLING AT ME”
sane I think teams have reasoned Big Helmet’s hitting ability(whatever is left post-jucing) does not out weight his incredible downside he brings
1)crap attitude
2)media circus
3)terrible clubhouse affect on younger player and everyone as a whole
4)injury prone
you have to ask this also: when have all MLB teams every agreed on anything?
isn’t that harder to believe then teams deciding enough is enough with Big Helmet
Thats exactly why i don’t like him jimmy Wilbon i like but Kornhieser is annoying at times.
he may have gotten the greatest trophy in sports interested in him.
No love for Rachel Nichols?
I totally agree regarding Smith though. He tends to make up for quality of argument with volume of argument. I hide behind my couch when he starts talking, its that frightening.
Fire I think the players are starting to get back to juicing and Big Helmet brings to much attention towards there now back to juicing ways.
Tejada was also MVP worthy..but they lost.
FIRE makes a dang fine point. You’d think at least ONE team would have gone with Bonds. Heck, the Yankees alone would’ve taken him on name value and jersey sales.
I honestly don’t think its anything sinister. Even though a number of teams could use a cheap lefty DH, there’s likely too much concern regarding the use of performance enhancers.
Twins for example. They go sign Rondell White based on his numbers with the Tigers. What do find out two years later? He quit doing steroids just before joining hte Twins.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…well…let’s not get fooled again.
KOBE BRYANT IS THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER AND YOUR OPINION DOES NOT COUNT BLAAAAH BLAAAH BLAAAH I”M NOT LISTENING. I’M STEPHEN A SMITH
anyone notice how the Red Sox and Yankee players got along so great with each other and how obviously its the idiot fans that ruin the rivalry?
I think Morneau could have hit 2 HR’s last night and they still would have given the MVP to someone else. After the way he was treated at th HR Derby I could seriously see that happening. A pitcher would get the trophy
I saw that too. At one point I think it was A-Rod patted a Red Sox player on the back and said something as he was coming back to the dugout. It was after a big play.
Forget who it was, but it was definately a Red Sox player. Wonder if that’ll get turned against him now too.
PS: Like I said earlier, however, my favorite “suspended rivalry” moment was still Morneau and Quentin celebrating at home plate.
Quentin wrapped his arms around Morneau and lifted him off the ground. It was AWESOME. Perfect example of what this game is SUPPOSED to be about. True class by both players there.
Ha…I picked a good day to stay home from work. The Twins v. RSox game from June 13th is on FSN. My god that was a fun game to spend in the cheap seats with the Sox fans…they were loathing Santana.
for clarity: That’s June 13th 2006.
I actually liked the moment that happened just AFTER the Quentin hug (still very cool) when Kevin Youkilis ran up to him and was pounding poor Morneau on the helmet very excitedly.
…: Is that Schilling/Santana from 06? Freakin’ CLASSIC! Those two were dialed in that night.
when Kevin Youkilis ran up to him and was pounding poor Morneau on the helmet very excitedly.
There was also Michael Young just standing off to the side at first base watching it unfold. Then I think he puts his hands out like “Well go figure.” and then Jeter comes and gives him a big hug.
It was in a funny sort of “Thank GOD you ended it” kind of way.
I liked the shot of ARod picking his nose in the dugout in one of the early innings…there was a later shot of an NL player doing the same in their dugout too.
On the front page of USA Today they have a picture of an excited Mauer meeting Yogi Berra. Trully awesome. Can anyone tell me who that is with the Montreal hat next to Berra. My guess is it’s Gary Carter
That is the Schilling/Santana classic. Johan gets his 1000th strike out and Kubel blasts a walk-off 12th inning grand slam. I remember commenting to a friend that the Twins would win the division as we walked out of the dome that night. We all remember what happen.
So much for the housework I was going to do…
Johan just got his 12th strikeout of the game at 5.1 innings.
jimmy bee it was Carter.
Thanks BC he has aged and I didn’t want to be wrong. I will be trying very hard to go see the ALL Star Game in Anaheim uh hum I mean in LA when they play it there in 2 years at Angels Stadium.
FIRE,
“you have to ask this also: when have all MLB teams every agreed on anything?
isn’t that harder to believe then teams deciding enough is enough with Big Helmet”
Exactly!
Every single MLB team independently came to the same conclusion - that Bonds was not worth a $395,000 tryout?
What are the odds against that?
If I am on that jury, it will take the best attorney on the planet to convince me that there was no mutual agreement (collusion) of any kind.
“…jumped to his feet and hugged * * * Carlos Quentin.
Two words: Sox - Kooties.
Yes, but you can also say Morneau gave Quentin Twins Cooties…
Has Football Started Yet?
2 words- T-Jax
2 more words- 3rd place
The Twins will win the WS before the Vikes even come close to sniffing the Lombardi Trophy. Has Football Started Yet? My best advice to you is become a Twins fan if you like a winning team
So with (ROF)LoL Park opening in 2010, how long does Minnesota have to wait for an All-Star game?
Don’t they normally tour the new ballparks as they open?
JB, he’s had that moniker forever. Don’t think it has anything to do with the Vikings or the Twins.
Oh, my appologize. Sorry I flew off the handle. Football means cold weather and I am still holding on to the dream of no cold forever
The one positive i got for the Twins last night was that competing in the HR derby obviously didn’t ruin Justins swing.
I actually heard that MLB asked Ichiro before asking Morneau. I heard he puts on quite a display during batting practice
I heard that too i wonder who would win in a derby between Ichiro and Tyner? Who knows though he maybe like spud web and get out there and just start cranking out moonshots.
Tyner could have hit a lot more home runs for the Twins, but he chose to hit for average instead.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=945
I’d prefer Atkins…although getting Blake would mean you wouldn’t have to face his Twins-killer bat for the rest of the year. 
I like the thought of going after Crede (speaking of Twins-killers) in the offseason though. You know, just to stick it to Ozzie Guillen.
So what would have happened if Francona asked Nathan to go more then one inning? Do you think Joe would freak out? Another thing why do announcers have to say Nathan is one of the most underrated closers in baseball why don’t they just say Joe is great but he doesn’t play for the Yankees or Red Sox.
ES16,
“Tyner could have hit a lot more home runs for the Twins, but he chose to hit for average instead.”
Tyner changed his mind!
He gave up BA for power this year.
He has one AAA homerun, but he had to sacrifice his batting average.
It’s down to .233.
That’s a huge price to pay for one crummy dinger.
Free Jason Tyner!
I actually thought it was kinda funny that Francona stretched out Rivera. I wonder how many people in the Yankee’s blogs are bitching about that.
Sure, he didn’t start the 9th, but it kinda suprised me that he was brought out to start the 10th.
I am sure it was more a situation of Terry wanting to give him the chance at a win in his home ballpark, but I am sure it can be viewed differently from Yankee fan perspectives.
Me Too, I would wager that the only reason that notion would carry any weight was because it was Rivera and Francona.
If you replace those two names with Soria and Gardenhire nobody would probably care. 
Heck, if I was Terry, I would have kept Rivera in until his arm fell off 
T,
“If you replace those two names with Soria and Gardenhire nobody would probably care”
Why would Gardenhire be the All-Star manager?
Oh.
Me Too if he had done that to Joe he would have wondered around on the mound like rainman saying Joe pitches ninth Joe pitches ninth only one inning only one inning. Gardenhire would have ordered the Mand M boys to execute Francona.
A.L. needed the grit of LNP….
That reminds me of the NFL Pro Bowl when everyone, even the announcers were wondering why Packer’s coach McCarthy kept playing Adrian Peterson.
Think LNP is taking 7 hours of B.P. today…..just to help forget about the 2007 season?
I, too, at first, thought Morneau deserved consideration for MVP. He scored the game winning run, not to menation scoring half the runs, he gets the respect for an intentional walk, and he played a great game at first, including the stretch for a double play to preserve the tie. Sherrill pitched great, but he merely maintained the tie game, as opposed to doing something to win the game. Several players pitched scoreless innings. And Young only hit a sacrifice fly. Now then, after examining JD Drew’s game, he really did deserve the MVP. A two run homer will always gain glory, but he also did the little things like Morneau. I think what separates Drew apart is he walked in the bottom of the 15th inning. That walk allowed the bases to be loaded, which then allowed the sacrifice fly to score Morneau. That little “tie breaker” gives JD Drew the MVP over Morneau. But Morneau is a close second, and was also the reason the American League won.
Is it me or does the sports media try to make moments rather than report them? Everything is talked about or set up in such a way as to make it seem larger than life.
“Is it me or does the sports media try to make moments rather than report them?”
The TV producers have to convince the viewer that he is watching something “significant” historically to prevent the viewer from changing channels; going to play with his kids; or doing anything that is ACTUALLY more important than watching the event.
Viewers who abandon the “show” cost the sponsors and producers potential revenue.
Amazingly…I never heard “at the major league level”, “inner half” , or “outer half” of the plate all night from the broadcasters. Why was that?
There’s been discussion about Beltre at third,how about the long range answer at short? Gardy seems to value how fast a middle infielder can release the ball on a double play.Is Tolbert a viable answer at short because it seems that Cassila is a lock at second? Thoughts!
If Justin had a clause in his contract paying a bonus for being named MVP,it’s a big deal,otherwise i think he justed made light of it!
Is it me or does the sports media try to make moments rather than report them?
While sane’s answer covers one half, I’ll add that I feel at times ESPN/FSN is MAKING the story.
They created the monster that is Owens. They were the ones who got instant replay in baseball. And now they’re going to flip out about last night’s All Star Game and likely cause Ol’ Iron Constitution Selig to change the All-Star Game again.
Why was that?
Because Joe Buck knows about as much about baseball as I know about quantum physics.
And Tim McCarver was too busy explaining to everybody that you run using your legs.
GENO,
“Is Tolbert a viable answer at short because it seems that Cassila is a lock at second? Thoughts!”
My thoughts (for what they are worth) are that Tolbert is too range-challenged to play SS in the Big leagues and that 2B is his natural position.
Casilla is the answer at SS, but Gardy may be afraid that Casilla might displace Punto and that would screw-up Gardy’s passing the family business on to his erstwhile son.
Seriously, IMO it should be Casilla at SS and a cast of dozens battling for 2B.
Thanks sane,your imput is always appreciated!
From the “Why Would Anyone Care”, department:
Morneau Wins The HR Derby
Morneau Scores The Winning Run In The All-Star Game
The N&I Craig, is a fan of competitive baseball.
Craig remembers back when the All-Star game, was played as a serious, competitive event. He is not a fan of the current silly sideshow, called the All-Star game.
The HR derby is just, theatrics, for people who don’t understand the game. Extremely annoying, and boring to, The N&I Craig.
The N&I, Craig, uses, lots, of unnecessary, commas. Ju,st, a,n, obser,v,a,t,i,on.
Thoughts on the All-Star Game:
-Morneau MVP? Get real folks. Drew’s home run and Longoria’s double make them better candidates. But if you ask me who gets the MVP (and I can’t believe I’m saying this), George Sherrill for pitching 2.1 scoreless innings against some of the best hitters the NL has to offer should win it for him.
-Nathan made Ryan Braun look downright silly. And I loved it.
-Yogi Berra called Joe Buck both “Jay” and “Jack.” I find that hilarious.
-Tim McCarver talked to Yogi like he was either senile or a 3-year-old. Not sure which.
-I’m with T: This “it counts” BS has got to stop. Anything that has the fans almost vote Jason “Can’t Bat My Weight” (literally) Varitek as a starter should not have bearing on the WORLD SERIES. It’s completely unfair to have the managers make decisions on whether or not to pitch Kazzy and Webb after their outings on Sunday. On one hand, you’re responsible for the health of a team’s ace, and on the other, you want your league to win in case you wind up in the World Series. That was a TERRIBLE situation for Francona to be in. Selig is a complete moron. Can you imagine the heat Uggla would’ve taken if his errors cost the NL the game and then the Mets made the playoffs? He would’ve been crucified on the side of the Empire State Building.
In closing… anyone see Walters’ article today? (Sorry if this has been brought up, I didn’t read through all the posts)
MN writers are already talking about trading one of the faces of the franchise/clubhouse leaders (Cuddyer) after two good weeks from Span? I’m not a big Cuddyer fan, but that seems ridiculous to me.
That being said… bring on Adrian Beltre.
Justin Morneau is awesome: a great baseball player and a classie guy. Way to go Justin!!
The Star Tribune should have your picture and name with congratulations all over the front page!! You’re our TWIN and all of us at our house are SUPER PROUD to have you on our Team!!
Joe Mauer and Joe Nathan are super as well and all three made a great showing for the TWINS and themselves!!
Thanks for the great perfomance Justin, Joe and Joe! What pleasure to watch you guys, on and off the field! Good Luck.
Shooter Hunt is blowing the doors off the Appy League.
Tonight: 12K 0BB in 6 inninngs.
So far: 28K 2BB in 14 innings
Thats 2K’s per inning with a 0.64 ERA.
And a 14/1 K/BB ratio.
I agree a lot with Steve, Sherril had a heck of a showing (as did Cook)
Either of them would’ve been the MVP in my eyes had their respective teams won.
“MN writers are already talking about trading one of the faces of the franchise/clubhouse leaders (Cuddyer) after two good weeks from Span?”
Yes, Craig used too many commas, and the blogs premier nitwit, Steve from Fridley, used too few.
Write yourself a ticket, Punctuation Cop.
“MN writers are already talking about trading one of the faces of the franchise/clubhouse leaders (Cuddyer) after two good weeks from Span? I’m not a big Cuddyer fan, but that seems ridiculous to me.”
MN writers don’t make decisions.
Its their job to talk/write/fantasize about such things.
If the Twins Front Office acts upon MN writers fantasies instead of upon their own best judgement, THEN we have crossed over into the “ridiculous”.
Hey Steve from F. the Mets might still crucify Uggla if his mistakes had mattered and they end up in the WS but NOT because he’s a Met cause he ain’t. He’s a Marlin.
Don’t know if I’m in the vast minority on this or not but I actually like the idea that home field advantage is at stake. That item in the cover story about Justin and Quentin celebrating together I truly think would NOT happen if this were only an exhibition game with nothing at stake. It is the fact there IS something at stake that brings these pro athletes together to want to compete and want to win. With maybe the exception of rookie Longoria and maybe one or two others, these guys are all multimillionaires. They are all winners probably since their Little League days or they wouldn’t be MLB players. If nothing was at stake except pretty weak bragging rights, they would not be hugging each other and celebrating a walk off sac fly just as you don’t see this sort of intensity in the Pro Bowl or the other major sports all star games.
As for the MVP none of the position players were singularly dominant enough to deserve it. I think it should have either been George Sherrill alone or co-MVP’s Sherrill and Soria. They were very impressive when it was late, the game had been exhaustingly long, and the pressure was ratcheting higher and higher as the bullpens got emptier and emptier. Double kudos to those two since their teams have almost no chance barring a second half miracle of benefiting from WS home field advantage.
Same if the NL had won: Aaron Cook would have the MVP IMHO. Someone commented about the AL being conservative in not trying for a sac fly off this guy…are you kidding? He’s got one helluva sinker obviously since one after the other AL star pounded the ball into the ground. Justin got the closest to driving the winning run in on a grounder but for a great play by Tejada and the fact that Justin could beat out Redmond in a footrace but would just be watching Gomez’ exhaust fumes.
Jason, if you didn’t actually watch the entire game, you probably shouldn’t comment on the play by play or at least check the box score. Criket is right that Young drove in the winning run with a sac fly. Drew was on base but did not hit the sac fly. AL fans or players should ALWAYS vote for Michael Young…he’s Mr. July!!! Twice now in two ASG, both times a Twin was involved as Mauer was one of the winning runs in ‘06.
For everyone howling for changes to the ASG protocol, this was probably a once in a lifetime “perfect storm” of circumstances that resulted in this incredibly exciting but almost neverending game. But for the fact that it was in Yankee Stadium in its final year I seriously doubt Francona would have managed the way he did. 1/3 of an inning for KRod???? Because of all the finaigling to give Rivera the honor of closing out the game while also honoring all the other stars by getting them included in the game, his hands got tied big time. In any other stadium in such a close game he might not have used Rivera at all until extra innings.
Last but not least even though I favor having home field at stake, it would have been delicious to see Bud squirm if home field had to be decided on the merits of the pitching arms of JD Drew and David Wright!!! Or for that matter the fielding skills of Scott Kazmir and Brad Lidge wherever in the field they would have been sent.
