All-Star Game: Mistakes (opinion thread)

[nolanryan5714]

I'm going to start this early, even before the game is over, because I've seen a couple that I'd like to see taken back from the N.L. standpoint.

Clemens should have started. Period.

Roy Oswalt should NOT have been inserted when he was. The heart of the lineup approaching, and his first ASG - I just wouldn't have played that card.

Willis should have gone in at the time Roy did.
Since I can't turn back the clock, Clemens should have pitched 2 innings, on top of that.

Ensberg should have batted in the 6th. His RBI bat is too hot to waste.


My thoughts are becoming a skewed mess. :o
Anyone else?

[Reed Johnson]

Shea Hillenbrand should be allowed to bat!
Kenny Rogers should not be playing.
I also agree with you in that Clemens should have started the game and then Carpenter.

[nolanryan5714]

I could just cry...but, as we all know, there's no crying in baseball. :p



If the pitching mixup would have been different, we would most likely be tied at the moment.

Sheeeesh......

[efin98]

Clemens should have gone in in the fourth after Willis and Carpenter.

Hernandez should have been yanked as soon as he got in trouble.

Oswalt should have been held back as a "long reliever". "His first All Star Game" isn't a good excuse since he played in the playoffs- much harder to pitch there than in the All Star Game.

I would have held off sending out every starting pitcher, keep at least one in relief just in case the game ends up like 2002...probably Oswalt and Rogers.

[nolanryan5714]

Oswalt should have been held back as a "long reliever". "His first All Star Game" isn't a good excuse since he played in the playoffs- much harder to pitch there than in the All Star Game.

Sorry, I know it sounded like I was making an excuse, but I wasn't thinking that. I thought strategically, in the mindset, it would be better to put in Willis ahead of Oswalt.

This game was fun to watch, but ultimately has much to be desired. ESPECIALLY in the management department.

[efin98]

Sorry, I know it sounded like I was making an excuse, but I wasn't thinking that. I thought strategically, in the mindset, it would be better to put in Willis ahead of Oswalt.

Not really, Oswalt is a righty and Willis is a lefty. Damon and Ortiz are lefties and have trouble facing them...in the best interest of the NL to have him in over Oswalt


This game was fun to watch, but ultimately has much to be desired. ESPECIALLY in the management department.

I think it was well coached considering the teams only know each other for two days.

[Reed Johnson]

The 2 guys I wanted to see most (Bay and Hillenbrand) never even got to bat! I think if every team is gonna be represented then there player should get to bat. Like I would understand if it was the red sox, Rangers, or Cardinals but come on. Were Bay and Hillenbrand the only player who didnt get to bat?

[Kastofsna]

Well Danys Baez didn't get to pitch, so I feel for ya!

[nolanryan5714]

Not really, Oswalt is a righty and Willis is a lefty. Damon and Ortiz are lefties and have trouble facing them...in the best interest of the NL to have him in over Oswalt.
I don't think so, because 1) they are unfamiliar with him, and 2) he can shut down lefties with the best of them.

And as we saw... :(

Anyway, I stick by my thoughts.

[efin98]

I don't think so, because 1) they are unfamiliar with him, and 2) he can shut down lefties with the best of them.

And as we saw... :(

Anyway, I stick by my thoughts.

The obvious Astros scew aside: Considering you said so yourself that it was his first All Star Game and considering he is a rightie, any manager would choose Willis over Oswalt. Familiarity has nothing to do with it, they play each other during Spring Training so they are familiar with him.

[Perseas]

It may sound biassed but Andruw Jones should have been the starting Centerfielder for the NL.

[nolanryan5714]

The obvious Astros scew aside: Considering you said so yourself that it was his first All Star Game and considering he is a rightie, any manager would choose Willis over Oswalt. Familiarity has nothing to do with it, they play each other during Spring Training so they are familiar with him.
Not by much. Not enough to affect the ASG.

Efin98, you are a great poster. I don't expect you to agree with me all of the time...however, Oswalt could have been inserted into a better slot in the game.

Tough pill for all N.L. fans.

[efin98]

Not by much. Not enough to affect the ASG.

Efin98, you are a great poster. I don't expect you to agree with me all of the time...however, Oswalt could have been inserted into a better slot in the game.

Tough pill for all N.L. fans.

Willis was never going to go in later than the third or fourth inning, Oswalt wasn't going in before the fifth inning. Willis is having the better year, there's no way LaRussa would have not inserted him in before Oswalt. Not in a tight game.

Also how about this: Oswalt pitched last Saturday, Willis last Friday. Willis had the more rested arm.

[nolanryan5714]

Well, you have heard my side of the story.


What would you have proposed, then?

[efin98]

Well, you have heard my side of the story.


What would you have proposed, then?

Looking at the schedules, Willis should have been in second behind Carpenter. Clemens third, then Hernandez fourth. Oswalt kept in relief since he had pitched the closest to the game.

[nolanryan5714]

How about batting?

You intrigue me with your insight...might as well keep it going.

Just don't get mad, or I'll QUACK at you. ;)

[efin98]

How about batting?

You intrigue me with your insight...might as well keep it going.

Just don't get mad, or I'll QUACK at you. ;)

Batting's not my area of strength, but I would have had the NL stars running more. Try to get something going when they were down 5-0, had they done that maybe they would have come back earlier instead of in the seventh and eighth inning...

[CuriousBoston]

That Clemens didn't start. I think the game would have been very different. Clemens is always awesome, do not understand that at all.

Damon was thrown out at first. He's not usually thrown out. The Nationals infield fielding was very nice to watch, I kept thinking of Bellhorn and Renteria. :hp

I just hope that Franncona is able to use the home field advantage! :gt

[BoofBonser26]

Here's a mistake: they let FOX televise the game. What was with those slanted stat bars? They were illegible!

And starting Carpenter seemed like an odd choice, but I really don't feel strongly about it.

[west coast orange and black]

Here's a mistake: they let FOX televise the game.agreed, man.

i can not tolerate the incessant background swoosh and swish noises used to accompany their graphics, so i watched the tube but listened to the radio.

[west coast orange and black]

moises alou had the audacity to hit a double when he could'a hooked up with his dad, coaching first, with a single.

he almost had another crack at it but was left in the on deck circle at game's end.

[jamze132]

Well for starters, I am a Mets fan and was rather annoyed to see Beltran and Piazza have as many at bats as they did. There where far more deserving players who should have took their roster spot.

We all remember what happened to Roger Clemens last year in Houston don't we? Maybe that's why he didn't start.

I still hate Roy Oswalt.

[GiambiJuice]

That Clemens didn't start. I think the game would have been very different. Clemens is always awesome, do not understand that at all.

Are you forgetting that Roger gave up 6 runs in the first inning of last year's all-star game? :confused: :confused: :crazy

[moviegeekjan]

Are you forgetting that Roger gave up 6 runs in the first inning of last year's all-star game? :confused: :confused: :crazy
and Carpenter gave up 0 this year

I'm just confused why so many are taking this game seriouisly... it's still an exhibition, no matter how much they promote "now it means something"

[PopTop]

I've always enjoyed this game, and never really cared about the outcome. I root for a few of my favorite players in the contest, hope they do well, and that's it.

The biggest mistake is having the game count for anything besides dollars in MLB's cash box. It's ridiculous that the ASG decides ANYTHING! On top of that, even though it does decide something, both managers nearly screwed the pooch and set the game up for another tie like a few years back. Part of me feels sorry for them since they're in the position to get everyone in the game yet now have the World Series home field advantage having over their heads. What if the NL ties it up and it goes extra innings last night? Francona still had Baez and Duchscherer while La Genius had Isringhausen and Fuentes in reserve. But how could either MGR have justified throwing those guys more than an inning each? And what would Osama bud Selig have done when the two managers came to him in the 11th inning and said they were out of arms? Would he have shrugged it off and made the decision to call it a tie and have 4 games in the AL park and 4 games in the NL park for the World Series?

Speaking of La Genius, what was the deal with Ensberg playing first base? :confused: Why not have one of his extra outfielders --- Jason Bay who never batted comes to mind --- DH and hold Pujols back to replace Derrek Lee at 1B with Ensberg spelling Aramis Ramirez down at 3B? I know, silly me, trying to be logical and have players perform at their natural positions :rolleyes:

The game should be an exhibition, period!

I also agree with the previous poster who mentioned having FOX involved in any way was a mistake. Except that I hit the mute button as soon they treated Ernie Harwell with disrespect. You invite a man like Harwell on your show and ask him a question, you need to give him time to answer it. Not just walk all over him and cut him off like they did. Very disrespectful, in my opinion.

[mojorisin71]

How about Jeff Kent getting only one at-bat while the other starters got at least two? LaRussa is still bitter about 1988.

[mjrbaseball]

I also agree with the previous poster who mentioned having FOX involved in any way was a mistake. Except that I hit the mute button as soon they treated Ernie Harwell with disrespect. You invite a man like Harwell on your show and ask him a question, you need to give him time to answer it. Not just walk all over him and cut him off like they did. Very disrespectful, in my opinion.

I, too, was upset with Fox and the disrespectful way they cut Mr. Harwell off. It was one of the worst things Fox has done on a baseball broadcast, and believe me they have done a lot.

Is Fox going to issue an apology for this transgression?

On the other hand, ESPN Radio was great, having him on for a whole inning and even offering him the opportunity to do some play-by-play.

[Brannu]

Are you forgetting that Roger gave up 6 runs in the first inning of last year's all-star game? :confused: :confused: :crazy

Thank you very much for pointing this out to the people.

I'm a Cardinal fan ...thusly, a fan of Edmonds and La Russa, however - I would have like to see Andruw Jones start in CF. I think that the starting pitching wasn't an issue, since Carpenter didn't give up a run. I just want to know what Piazza and Smoltz were thinking on that fat, softball looking, fastball that they served up to Miguel Tejada. :crazy Miguel hit the ball like, "Man have you looked at my numbers lately?" Jeez. That was the turning point for me ... momentum.

[Bluesteve32]

How about Jeff Kent getting only one at-bat while the other starters got at least two? LaRussa is still bitter about 1988.

What does Jeff Kent have to do with 1988?

[mojorisin71]

I should have clarified my statement. LaRussa has hated the Dodgers since 1988, and I guess not leaving in Kent for another AB was his way of disrespecting the Dodgers.

[Dodger Black and Blue]

I should have clarified my statement. LaRussa has hated the Dodgers since 1988, and I guess not leaving in Kent for another AB was his way of disrespecting the Dodgers.

It's a conspiracy! Everyone's against the Dodgers!

It was kind of odd, seeing Kent taken out early when the only other position player at 2B was Castillo. But Castillo is much faster than Kent, so maybe he was trying to get someone that could run the bases better?

I don't know, I'm just speculating.

[PopTop]

How about Jeff Kent getting only one at-bat while the other starters got at least two? LaRussa is still bitter about 1988.Yeah, I wish La Russa had left Kent in longer as well, at least until he reinjured his sore hamstring ;)

It was publicized before the game that Kent would only play long enough to get one AB since he's nursing a bad hammy. If he had reached base, La Russa already mentioned he would let Castillo pinch-run for Kent. Sounds like someone else is bitter about La Russa, and not the other way around.

[Bluesteve32]

I should have clarified my statement. LaRussa has hated the Dodgers since 1988, and I guess not leaving in Kent for another AB was his way of disrespecting the Dodgers.

And I'll say Jeff Kent was not in that organization in 1988 and has nothing to do with that particular series.

[mojorisin71]

And I'll say Jeff Kent was not in that organization in 1988 and has nothing to do with that particular series.

I will second that statement. But LaRussa hates anything that has to do with Dodger blue, and during the recent Cards/Dodgers series, he was second-guessing the umps' calls against St. Louis. Either way, Kent didn't play much.

[mojorisin71]

Yeah, I wish La Russa had left Kent in longer as well, at least until he reinjured his sore hamstring ;)

It was publicized before the game that Kent would only play long enough to get one AB since he's nursing a bad hammy. If he had reached base, La Russa already mentioned he would let Castillo pinch-run for Kent. Sounds like someone else is bitter about La Russa, and not the other way around.

His hamstring was bothering him (it got to the point where he couldn't finish Friday night's game in Houston), but since then, he's had a somewhat hot bat. Maybe that's why he was dropped to the 8 spot in the order.

And I'm not really bitter about LaRussa (what has he ever won against the Dodgers?). It could be just me, but he sure questions every call made in favor of the Dodgers every time they play. But what the heck, the ASG is just an exhibition, and as of now, the Dodgers don't have much to exhibit.

[mojorisin71]

(snip)

It's a conspiracy! Everyone's against the Dodgers!

Hey, they rank up there with the Yankees as the most hated team in baseball. Don't believe me? Take a random survey of the BBF members here. :atthepc :lookitup

Anyway, I really wanted to see the NL win last night, and it's too bad that the NL bats had to wait until the 7th to wake up.

[Bluesteve32]

His hamstring was bothering him (it got to the point where he couldn't finish Friday night's game in Houston), but since then, he's had a somewhat hot bat. Maybe that's why he was dropped to the 8 spot in the order.

And I'm not really bitter about LaRussa (what has he ever won against the Dodgers?). It could be just me, but he sure questions every call made in favor of the Dodgers every time they play. But what the heck, the ASG is just an exhibition, and as of now, the Dodgers don't have much to exhibit.

LaRussa hates all So Cal teams. He ignored the Angels when he managed those AL All-Star teams as well. What is his record in the WS? Like 1-3 or 1-4?

[mojorisin71]

LaRussa hates all So Cal teams. He ignored the Angels when he managed those AL All-Star teams as well. What is his record in the WS? Like 1-3 or 1-4?

1-3, and he's 5-12 lifetime in the World Series, including two sweeps.

[Bluesteve32]

1-3, and he's 5-12 lifetime in the World Series, including two sweeps.

That does not impress me too much. He had those teams in Oakland that were supposed to be the next 1927 Yankees but won only one of those WS. He got swept last season when his team was supposed to be THE team of 2004. I put Bobby Cox in the this category as well. The can share the "Marv Levy Award." :clapping

[#1Rangerfan]

Shea Hillenbrand should be allowed to bat!
Kenny Rogers should not be playing.
I also agree with you in that Clemens should have started the game and then Carpenter.


Kenny Rogers has every right to play in the ASG. He's probably more deserving than half of the guys out there. I was happy to see all 4 Rangers play well, especially Texiara. FOX did an excellent job.

[BustaJ2632]

Kenny Rogers has every right to play in the ASG. He's probably more deserving than half of the guys out there. I was happy to see all 4 Rangers play well, especially Texiara. FOX did an excellent job.

Oh man, you were going along so well until that FOX comment. I agreed with all the other stuff you said, especially that Kenny Rogers deserved to play. But I have to second all the people who have posted about the way FOX treated Ernie Harwell...you don't just cut a man like that off the way they did. If they only have 15 seconds to talk to him, just don't bother. Show the piece they showed, and move on. That really was a travesty. Glad to hear ESPN Radio treated Mr. Harwell the way he deserves to be treated.

[2Chance]

originally posted by BoofBonser26
Here's a mistake: they let FOX televise the game. What was with those slanted stat bars? They were illegible!
Man, I thought after last year they would have killed Scooter! (The animation, not the little guy who donates pinstriped blood.)

And another raspberry for their treatment of Ernie Harwell, a great American institution.

[BoofBonser26]

Man, I thought after last year they would have killed Scooter! (The animation, not the little guy who donates pinstriped blood.)

And another raspberry for their treatment of Ernie Harwell, a great American institution.
Hear, hear! I only mentioned the stat bars because I think I suppressed the memory of the pre-game show. :p
How long until FOX's contract expires?

On the other hand, ESPN Radio was great, having him on for a whole inning and even offering him the opportunity to do some play-by-play.They had him do play by play? :clapping That I did not know! That's it; the TV is muted hereon out, whether Harwell's going to be on or not. That was really cool of ESPN. :gt

[catbox_9]

FOX is really bad at broadcasting baseball. It's bad enough we have to listen to those awful announcer but to treat Harwell like that is just pathetic.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I'm glad I don't remember that thing about Harwell. Only thing that annoys me about FOX baseball is Tim McCarver.

Ugh, when is the NL going to win a game? It's like waiting for the Canadiens to get someone who scores more than 40 goals in a season. :grouchy