NL Finally Wins All Star Game

As seen on Phillies Nation.

The National League won the All Star Game for the first time since 1996, a year where the game was played at Veterans Stadium and Ricky Botallico was the Phillies only representative. Charlie Manuel led the 2010 NL All Stars to a 3-1 victory over the star studded American League.

Ubaldo Jiminez and Josh Johnson each pitched two superb innings. The American League scored their lone, unearned run against Hong-Chih Kuo.

Aggressive base-running by Scott Rolen eventually paid off. Brian McCann provided the knock with a three-run double with two outs in the seventh. Phillies fans have seen this so many times from McCann, so it was different being on the other side of a McCann clutch hit. McCann was ultimately named the game's Most Valuable Player.

Ryan Howard served as the designated hitter for the National League. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout against David Price. Howard also grounded out.

Roy Halladay pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing two hits and striking out one. Manuel may have misused him in the situation. Instead of bringing Halladay in earlier, Kuo was brought in. Halladay was forced to warm up twice.

Jonathan Broxton closed the doors to secure home field advantage for the National League. Overall, it was a well-played game. In the year of the pitcher, it was only fitting that the All Star Game was dominated by brilliant pitching performances.

David Ortiz was the Home Run Derby Champion.

Limping Into the Postseason

Most of the teams that have already clinched a postseason spot aren't exactly playing good ball right now. Here are the records over the last 10 games (Saturday's night games not included):

Yankees: 7-3
Red Sox: 4-6
Angels: 5-5, Last 20: 10-10
Phillies: 4-6, 3 game losing streak
Cardinals: 3-7, 8-12 last 20
Dodgers: 3-7, 5 Game losing streak, Last 20: 10-10
Rockies: 7-3, 5 Game winning streak

If the Tigers win the division, they aren't exactly on a roll either. All the NL division leaders each recently went on a 5-5 stretch.

The only teams that are hot right now are the Yankees and Rockies. It could be argued that because the regulars are not playing, teams aren't winning. However, most of the NL teams have been fighting for home field. The Red Sox were in a bad slump before they clinched.

Also, it is not good to enter the postseason cold. For those being rested, long layoffs are not always good. Remember the Rockies in 2007? Their hot 21 of 22 streak carried into October, however they had a long break between the NLCS and World Series. It backfired and they lost to the Red Sox. It's okay to give a player rest; a day here, a day there. It's a long, tiring season. But sometimes too long can be trouble. If a player is slumping it may help, but if they're playing good ball, then it may turn into a problem, taking that player out of their rhythm.

Most of these teams are hopping into the postseason on one foot.

American League Wins Again

The National League lost for the twelfth time since 1996. With the 4-3 win, the American League will gain home field advantage during the World Series.

The American League took a 2-0 lead in the first inning off Tim Lincecum. Lincecum was backed by poor defense. The NL had three chances for a double play, but Albert Pujols made an error and David Wright made a bad throw. Also, nobody covered first base on a relay from short.

The NL got it back in the second inning. David Wright blooped a single off Roy Halladay and Shane Victorino (1-for-2, R) singled. Yadier Molina's two run double tied the game at two.

Prince Fielder's pinch hit double gave the NL a 3-2 lead in the second. However, Joe Mauer tied the game at three in the fifth with a RBI double of his own.

In the seventh inning, it looked like Brad Hawpe had tied the game. But Carl Crawford robbed Hawpe of a home run, leaping and reaching over the fence. It was Barry Bonds/Torii Hunter-like.

In the top of the eighth inning, Curtis Granderson led off with a triple. He scored on Adam Jones' sacrifice fly to give the AL a 4-3 lead.

With two on and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Ryan Howard (0-for-1, SO) had a chance to tie the game, or possibly give the National League the lead. Joe Nathan struck him out on a check swing.

Mariano Rivera complete the save, his fourth in All Star Game history. The game lasted only 2 hours and 31 minutes, the fastest All Star Game since 1988 (2:26). Carl Crawford was named the MVP after his fantastic, game-saving catch.

Here are how the rest of the Phillies fared:

Chase Utley: 0-for-2 (groundout, fly out). He made a couple spectacular plays at second base.
Raul Ibanez: 0-for-2 (groundout, pop up)
Jayson Werth: 0-for-1 (strikeout). Made a fantastic catch in centerfield.

Utley Takes Over All NL Vote-Getters

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley took over Albert Pujols' overall lead in National League votes with 2,273,355.

Pujols still leads all first basemen, with Ryan Howard about a million votes behind.

David Wright continues to lead all third basemen followed by Ryan Zimmerman, Chipper Jones, and Pedro Feliz.

Hanley Ramirez isn't too far behind leader Jimmy Rollins. Rollins only leads Ramirez by about 80,000 votes.

Yadier Molina continues to earn votes at the catchers position leading Brian McCann, Jason Kendell and Carlos Ruiz.

Raul Ibanez stays in first among outfielders, however the race is very tight between Ibanez, Ryan Braun, Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano, Shane Victorino, and Manny Ramirez (who dropped to sixth). All are within a few thousand of each other.

In the American League, Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis are barely 1,000 votes apart. Justin Morneau is still hanging in there.

Ian Kinsler leads reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia in the voting. Derek Jeter, Joe Mauer, and Evan Longoria each have a substantial lead at their respected positions.

Jason Bay, Josh Hamilton (who is injured) and Ichiro lead the oufield in a tight race.

Players of the Week: April 13-19

For the American League, Ian Kinsler and Zach Greinke shared Co-Players of the Week. In the National League, Andre Ethier earned the award.

Last week, Kinsler hit .556 with 2 HR, 4 doubles, a triple, 9 runs, and 6 RBI. His on base percentage was .500 and his slugging percentage was .864, a 1.364 OPS. Not only did he lead the majors in average, but also led in hits, 15, extra base hits, 7, and runs scored.

Kinsler had a career night on April 15, Jackie Robinson day, when he went 6-6 and hit for the cycle, two rare feats in one game. He became the first player in the modern era to hit for the cycle and get six hits.

In two starts last week, Greinke pitched 14 scoreless innings, going 2-0, including one complete game shutout. He currently leads the American league with 26 strikeouts.

Ethier, of the Dodgers batted .391 with 12 RBI, 4 HR and scored 8 runs. He slugged 1.000.

Ethier's teammates Matt Kemp and Chad Billingsley and Orlando Hudson were runners up for the award.

Year In Review: All Star Break

The All Star Break put the first half of the season behind, moving onto the second half. Although just 2 Phillies participated in the mid-summer classic, the All Star Break had a lot of significance for the Phillies.

Chase Utley participated in the 2008 Home Run Derby, hoping to follow Bobby Abreu and Ryan Howard's footsteps. Utley finished with just 5 home runs, not moving past the first round.

It was Josh Hamilton who stole the show at Yankee Stadium as fans cheered his name. Hamilton, a feel good story, bouncing back from a drug problem, returned to MLB, and broke Bobby Abreu's HR Derby record.

Abreu set a record hitting 24 home runs in round one of the 2005 Home Run Derby, totaling 41 HR bringing home the victory. Hamilton broke Abreu's record clobbering 28 home runs in one round.

Unlike Abreu, Hamilton did not come home with the victory despite hitting the most home runs during the derby with 35. Justin Morneau won the HR Derby as the number of home runs cleared for the third round.

Hamilton decided to keep hitting in the 2nd round, which may of cost him, tiring himself out. Hamilton's 3 HR in the 3rd round was short to Morneau's 5 in the last round. If remembered, Morneau will be known for the victory, but Hamilton will be known for stealing the show.

The All Star Game followed the Home Run Derby. Chase Utley started at second base for the National League for the third straight year. Utley received the most votes in the National League with over 3 million. Utley just fell short to Alex Rodriguez for most in MLB. Brad Lidge also made the team, however a deserving Pat Burrell didn't make the team, losing the Final Vote.

Utley was 1-3 in his 2008 All Star appearance. Also, during the HR Derby, Utley cured on live television for the first time after being booed by the New York faithful.

The game was back and forth, with the NL getting on the board first. Down 2 in the 7th, J.D. Drew homered to tie the game at 2. The NL gained the lead, but gave it right back up in the 8th. Nate McClouth threw out Dioner Navarro in the 11th inning to prevent the AL from winning. The game went as long as 15 innings, when Michael Young hit a sacrifice fly to end the game.

Young hit the sac fly off the Phillies pitcher, Brad Lidge, his only loss of the season. Lidge was very much tired out at the time of his appearance, throwing over 100 pitches in the bullpen, very unusual for a reliever. Instead of pitching him earlier, Clint Hurdle, the NL manager, decided to wait to pitch him. Many pitchers were used, and Lidge appeared in the 15th inning, receiving the loss.

It did not factor into his regular season stats, although it cost the National League home field advantage for the World Series with the loss. Or did it? The Phillies wound up making the World Series, and after 2 games in Tampa Bay, the Phillies had 3 games in a row at Citizen's Bank Park, which was enough for the home field advantage. Ironic indeed. I'd say the All Star Game loss ended up turning into a save for Lidge.

In 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Charlie Manuel will be managing that All Star Team.

AL MVP

Dustin Pedroia was named the 2008 American League Most Valuable Player. Pedroia joins Cal Ripken Jr. and Ryan Howard to be the only ones who won Rookie of the Year and MVP in back to back years.

The Red Sox's second baseman, Pedroia, totaled 317 points, 16 first place votes, to take home honors and beat out Justin Morneau of the Twins who received 257 total votes, 7 first place votes. Pedroia's teammate, Keven Youkilis, finished third.

Pedroia finished the 2008 season with a .326 AVG. He had a .376 OBP, .493 SLG and .869 OPS. .He hit 17 homeruns and 83 RBI. He also stole 20 bases.

In my opinion, I would have given the award to Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees. A-Rod finished the year with a .965 OPS. He batted .302 with 35 HRs, 103 RBI, and 18 SB. Several other players, including Mauer and Morneau should have finished ahead of Pedroia.

However, Pedroia adds an MVP Award to his throphy case.

AL Cy Young

For the second straight year, the Cleveland Indians have themselves a Cy Young winner. CC Sabathia took last years honors, and Cliff Lee takes this years honors.

In 2007, Cliff Lee had a 6.29 ERA in just 97.1 innings of work. He was able to put the past behind him, turning it around and having a Cy Young type year.

Lee was 22-3 with an ERA of 2.54, which led the American League in 2008. He struck out 170 batters in 223.1 innings of work. He had a WHIP of 1.11

Lee finished with 132 points, 24 first place votes. Roy Halladay finished second, and the single season saves leader, Francisco Rodriguez, finished third.

Baseball Note: Joe Maddon (AL) and Lou Piniella (NL) were named 2008 managers of the year.

AL Gold Gloves

The 2008 American League Gold Glove Winners have been announced. Here are your winners:

American League
P, Mike Mussina, NYY
C, Joe Mauer, MIN
1B, Carlos Pena, TB
2B, Dustin Pedroia, BOS
3B, Adrian Beltre, SEA
SS, Michael Young, TEX
OF, Torii Hunter, LAA
OF, Grady Sizemore, CLE
OF, Ichiro Suzuki, SEA

Hunter and Ichiro won their 8th consecutive Gold Gloves.

The players and coaches voted for the winner. They could not be vote for their own teammates. The National League winners were announced yesterday.