Random Thoughts (July 16, 2008)

The All-Star Game that would never end (thanks to a poor throw by Dioner Navarro in the eighth inning that led to an unearned run for the N.L. that gave them a brief lead of 3-2) is finally over. Game 1 of the 2009 World Series will be at Fenway Park (October 22, mark your calendars). J.D. Drew, in his first appearance at the All-Star Game, was named MVP after going 2-for-4 with a home run. A.L. manager Terry Francona did a wonderful job of paying tribute to Yankee Stadium and the Yankees on the team by taking out Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter from the field in the middle of innings and by bringing in Mariano Rivera to a booming ovation in the ninth. Francona was down to his last pitcher in Scott Kazmir and was out of positional players to put into the game by the 15th inning but he earned home field for the A.L. in the Series. Mission accomplished. Some other quick-hit All-Star thoughts:

• The pre-game ceremony, honoring current Hall of Famers and this year's All-Stars, was nice and I bet even the greasiest of New Yorkers got goose bumps when George Steinbrenner (looking like he was auditioning for Weekend at Bernies III) was carted out on the field but it was sad that Yankee brass was so devoid of imagination that they were forced to steal the pre-game ceremony from the 1999 All-Star Game, played at Fenway Park. On that night, the Red Sox and MLB honored the All-Century Team and in a true goose bump moment, Ted Williams was driven out to the pitching mound to toss out the first pitch. Joe Buck must have forgotten the '99 spectacular when he quipped that the collection of talent on the field last night was the greatest collection of talent ever assembled on a baseball field. With no Teddy Ballgame, last night had zero chance of beating the '99 event.
• I was very impressed by Aaron Cook's ability to survive the 10th, 11th and 12th innings last night. Getting out of the bases loaded, no-out jam in the 10th could have made him the MVP if the N.L. had gone on to win.
• Okay Yankee fans, we get it, you hate the Red Sox. Still, after booing the Sox participants in the introductions, you should have enjoyed the moment and cheered on all the guys wearing the home white. You have now set up A-Rod to be verbally assaulted next weekend at Fenway.
• When the A.L. left the winning run stranded on third base in the 10th, 11th and 12th, I thought that the game was destined to join the 2002 Midsummer Classic in the history books.

All things considered, last night was a pretty cool night. The game is not perfect -- there is no way an exhibition game should determine home field advantage in the World Series -- but it was a special night in the Bronx...

ESPN Radio is doing their on-air auction/telethon today to raise money for the Jimmy V Cancer Foundation (click here to make a donation). Although I will not contribute to this great cause -- I donate my money to the Boston-based Jimmy Fund every August -- there are some great items to bid on, especially the chance to have the Mike & Mike in the Morning Show broadcast live from your house. A woman in Florida donated over $57,000 for the popular show to visit her home and then two doctors from a rehab hospital in Dallas for children recovering from cancer matched the winning bid, meaning Golic and Greenie will take their show on the road twice, raising almost $115,000 for the V Foundation...

Speaking of Jimmy Valvano, take a second and click here to listen to his speech from the 1993 Espy Awards that can make even the hardest of souls get a little damp around the eyes...

James Posey reportedly wants a four-year contract. I wouldn't kill Danny Ainge and the C's if that is a deal breaker and the valuable Posey goes elsewhere...

Check tomorrow for my annual look at MLB at the All-Star break and my forecast for the second half...

Try and enjoy poker re-runs tonight...