* The NL finally earns a victory in the All-Star game. Because you cannot determine future free agency trends it is hard to forecast future season but should the current NL players stay in the NL then this years result could become the norm. Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Braun, David Wright, Lincecum, Wainwright and numerous others from this years squad are all well under 30 and are just or have yet to enter what should be their prime. I believe 8 of 9 NL starters were under 30 years of age. The AL still has plenty of talent but they also have more All-Star caliber players on the downward slope of their career.
* I don't understand the the disdain the majority of the media has for the All-Star winner getting Home Field Advantage. The All-Star game is the signature showcase of baseball's best at the midpoint of the season. You can play the game as a scrimmage with field good stories or you can make the game have true meaning. Baseball has chosen and correctly so to have this game mean something. What better way than to decide than to have 60+ of the best players in the game represent their league in a friendly contest? I hardly think that the best record from two completely different schedules with minimal like opponents is the best solution.
* The disappearing offense in baseball has made 2010 the year of the pitcher. The overall drop in offensive production from seasons past is likely the product of several factors. A tougher steroid policy along with more advanced testing should certainly be considered a factor. The 20/20 type threat is becoming more common on today's roster than the 35HR player. Much of the success of the pitching can be contributed to more power arms then ever before. I realize the All Star game gives the pitcher 1-2 Innings thus the pitcher doesn't have to hold anything back. Nearly every pitcher who pitched consistently threw over 95MPH and many regularly threw 98-99 and some topped 100. In the 70's and 80's Nolan Ryan threw 100 but only about 5-10players in all of baseball could top 95. These issues combined with the new model of player, no more 35+HR players on every team more speed/power combos, is the reason for the year of the pitcher. As a fan of the game I say keep it a pitching game. Nothing better than the 1-0 Win and 2HR 15Min game.
* Another note from the All Star contest. The HR derby is always a event I look forward to however after the first round of hitting everything tends to blend in and the event becomes minuteness. I would recommend the contestants be lowered from 6 to 4 and play a head to head style much like the classic 60's HR derby that used to run everyday on ESPN. The Celebrity Softball Game is usually a good laugh. I didn't watch the complete event this year but I enjoyed seeing Bo Jackson back in action. Rickey Henderson opened up the game with a HR and I have no doubt he could suit up tomorrow and make some noise in a MLB lineup.
* George Stienbrenner passed away this week. The Boss was without a doubt the most recognized owner in sports. The Sienfeld skits along cemented this even without those postseason trophies. He purchased the Yankees from CBS for 8.7 Million and today the Yankees are worth over 1.5 Billion Dollars. Not a bad return on investment. For those who loved him you must be a Yankee's fan, for those who hate him you just wanted him to be your owner. Stienbrenner fought through two suspension from the league and had 22 managers at the helm during his tenure. Stienbrenner without a doubt should be a Hall Of Famer somewhere in the very near future.
* Speaking of ownership. Dan Gilbert raised eyebrows recently with comments regarding Lebron James. Gilbert basically acted like CAVSFAN1 on some Clevland Sports Chat Room. In my opinion Gilbert came out looking like some 10 year old who goes home because he can't get a foul call at the neighborhood pickup game. Those who are in support of Gilbert claim that his comments only show the passion he has for the Cavs and the pursuit of a Championship. I'll call BULLSHIT on that. His anger stems from the fact that with Lebron his franchise is worth about 5X as much if not more than without him. It's about the money and not the fans of Clevland.
* LeBron takes less money to go play with another superstar player for a better chance to win and is getting killed for it, go figure. A classic case of Damned if you do Damned if you don't. I wish LeBron had stayed in Clevland but in no way do I feel he owed them that. They act as if he was a washed up college player who was given a 10 day contract and should forever be in debt to the franchise. Fact is whomever would have drafted 1 that year would have selected LeBron so Clevland you didn't do him any favors. Perhaps the special event was overkill and no doubt LeBron has some diva in him but what elite level athlete doesn't. But some proceeds went to charity I believe and it gave people something to watch. The decision wasn't about the money, Clevland paid more. It wasn't about the Fame, Could have been king of NY. It was about winning, Heat and they should do plenty of it. However I will not watch but the Heat would be the closest I come.
* To give everyone an idea as to how bad Little League Baseball is in Boyd County not one 11-12 All Star was formed in Boyd Co. National or Catlettsburg to participate in postseason action.
* MLB Playoff Predictions for the second half.
AL East- Yankees To much talent and to much money. Win one for the Boss.
AL Central- Twins. Will make a move for pitching help.
AL West- Rangers. Will begin to runaway with the division.
Al Wild Card- Rays. Younger and Faster than the Sox.
AL WINNER- Yankees veteran play to much for young Rays.
NL East- Braves. Taking Bobby out a winner.
NL Central- Reds. Most balanced team in the division but will need to make a move.
NL West- Dodgers. The Divorce could be the downfall if it prevents the addition of a SP.
NL WC- Phillies. Treading water unitll injuries cease.
NL WINNER- Braves. Taking Bobby out a winner.
World Series- Braves 4-3 over Yankees. Bobby going out a winner would be a nice story. Without a Cub World Series, I root for a story.
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