The 2013 edition of the MLB All Star Game is history, and the American League took home a 3-0 win over their National League counterparts. Toronto’s Jose Bautista and Baltimore’s JJ Hardy drove in runs with a sac fly and a fielder’s choice groundout, while Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis drove in the third run of the game in the eighth inning with a double. The AL pitchers held the NL to only three hits, including Mariano Rivera, who came in too early for my taste in the eighth inning and retired the side in order. More on that later in the blog.
ESPN.com has all the details of the game right here:
David Schoenfield of ESPN kept a diary and took notes during the game. Great article here:
Jose Fernandez of the Marlins did us all very proud, as he also produced a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, striking out ML home run leader Chris Davis and former MVP Dustin Pedroia, and retiring the best hitter in the game, Miguel Cabrera, on a weak foul popup to first base. Nice debut for the kid in a very tough situation, and he came through with flying colors. Fernandez is the real deal and will be starting an All Star game or two during his career.
In case you missed it, check out this story by Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, taking a compelling look Marlins’ pitcher Jose Fernandez and his story:
Dan LeBatard of the Herald also had a great story on Fernandez in the Herald:
My humble opinion on Rivera not getting the opportunity to close out the game: I believe that Jim Leyland acted with the best intentions and wanted to make 100% sure that Mo got in the game. However, you also have to look at the game situation - up by three runs in the eighth inning, I really like my chances to hold that lead with two of the best relievers in the game ready to go in Glenn Perkins and Joe Nathan. Like Leyland said after the game on his decision to bring in Rivera in the eighth, “I wanted to make sure I got out of here alive”. Understood and acknowledged, but if those two studs you had in the pen got into any trouble in the eighth, you could have brought in Mo at that time. All’s well that ends well, as Mo was named the MVP of the game, becoming only the fourth player in history to win the All Star game MVP to go along with a World Series MVP.
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: After last night, Mariano Rivera is the fourth player in history to win an All Star Game MVP award AND a World Series MVP award. Who are the other three? Tell you later, alligator.
Jayson Stark of ESPN offers us his take on Rivera:
Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com chimes in as well:
The Marlins will be going on the road after the all-star break, first in Milwaukee to take on the Brewers in a three-game series next weekend, and then off to Colorado to face the Rockies in a four game set. The Fish return home on Friday the 26th for a ten-game homestand: three-games against the Pirates, four against the Mets, and an interleague three-game series against the Cleveland Indians. The Marlins will have Jacob Turner, Nathan Eovaldi, and Henderson Alvarez as the starters in the series against the Brewers next weekend. The Marlins have played very well recently, as evidenced by their 22-17 record since May 31. Here’s hoping that they can keep it up the remainder of the season.
The Fish are still at the bottom of the list in runs scored in MLB, with 306 runs in their 93 games. Here are the rest of the bottom-dwellers:
TEAM W-L Runs
Marlins 35-58 306
White Sox 37-55 345
Astros 33-61 351
Pirates 56-37 357
Nationals 48-47 357
The Boston Red Sox, in contrast, lead the majors with 498 runs scored in their 97 games.
Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald talks about the Biogenesis investigation and much more as part of his All Star game notebook:
ESPN’s Rumor Central:
Here are the up-to-the-minute standings in MLB:
Here are the individual league leaders in MLB:
In college football, FIU running back Kedrick Rhodes was kicked off the team after a drunken altercation in which he drew and shot a weapon on campus. Another mental midget athlete with a gun who believes he can get away with anything because he is a football player. Apparently, there isn’t enough adult supervision and leadership at FIU any more.
David J. Neal of the Herald has a lot more:
My comments: I preface this by saying that I have been friends with FIU Athletic Director Pete Garcia for many, many years and I have been involved with the FIU football program as a broadcaster since its inception. Although I realize and understand that student-athletes need to take responsibility for their actions and their behavior, the university, and more specifically, the athletic department, should be held accountable for the behavior and the lack of success both in the classroom and on the field of their student athletes. Athletic Directors at other universities have been fired for much less. As the Athletic Director, Pete is responsible for the successes and the failures both on and off the field. In my opinion, he has made very questionable decisions, such as hiring Isiah Thomas as basketball coach and firing football head coach Mario Cristobal after last season. This athletic program needs to refocus very quickly, stay away from any and all controversy, and start producing positive results, both on and off the field.
In NFL news, at least Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.
In NBA and Miami Heat news, the Heat did a 180 degree turnaround, and released guard Mike Miller using their amnesty clause. This move saves them having to pay $17 million in luxury tax. Here is the full story Joseph Goodman in the Herald:
Miller will be sorely missed.
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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: After last night, Mariano Rivera is the fourth player in history to win an All Star Game MVP award AND a World Series MVP award. Who are the other three?
Derek Jeter won both awards in 2000, Frank Robinson of the Orioles was the World Series MVP in 1966 and the All Star Game MVP in 1971, Brooks Robinson was the All Star Game MVP in 1966 and the World Series MVP in 1970. Mariano was the World Series MVP in 1999.
Don’t miss my two “Descarga Deportiva” radio segments (for the Spanish-challenged, “Sports Jam Session”) every day, Monday through Friday, at 9:25 am and 12:15 pm on Radio Esperanza, 1550 AM or on the internet on www.miradioesperanza.com.
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Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.
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