Wednesday, July 15, 2009

2009 Chachi #46 Raul IbaƱez AS

All-Star Game: 2009 (Busch Stadium, St. Louis)
How He Got to St. Louis: Rauuuul! Raul was voted by the fans to start in the National League outfield. Despite missing time with a groin injury, Raul will enter the second half of 2009 with a .309 average, 22 home runs and 60 RBI. He joins his teammate, Chase Utley in the NL top 10 in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, home runs and RBI.
2009 All-Star Game Notes: Batting fifth, Raul grounded out to second in the second inning against Roy Halladay. Raul saw one pitch in the fourth against Zach Greinke, and hit a foul pop to Michael Young to finish the night 0 for 2.
Pictured: April 8, 2009 - Hitting his first home run as a Phillie.

2009 Chachi #45 Chase Utley AS

All-Star Games: 2006 (PNC Park, Pittsburgh), 2007 (AT&T Park, San Francisco), 2008 (Yankee Stadium, New York), 2009 (Busch Stadium, St. Louis)
Prior All-Star Game Performance: In three prior All-Star Games, all of which he started, Chase has gone 2 for 7.
How He Got to St. Louis: Chase was voted in by the fans as the starting NL second baseman for the fourth consecutive year. In the first half of 2009, Chase is hitting .313 with 20 home runs and 61 RBI. He's in the top 10 in the league in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored, home runs, RBI and walks.
2009 All-Star Game Notes: Batting second for the NL All-Stars, Chase grounded to first against (future teammate?) Roy Halladay in the first inning. In the third, Chase flew out to center against Mark Buehrle. Chase played through the top of the sixth before skipper Charlie Manuel pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the inning.
Pictured: April 17, 2009 - Hitting a first inning 3-run home run against the Padres.

2009 Chachi #44 Charlie Manuel MG AS

All-Star Game: 2009 (Busch Stadium, St. Louis)
Prior All-Star Game Performance: Unless Charlie went to an AL All-Star Game as a coach during his tenure as Indians' manager, this is his first visit to the Mid-Summer Classic.
How He Got to St. Louis: Charlie managed the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.
2009 All-Star Game Notes: With the American League winning tonight, 4-3, Charlie became the first Phillies' manager ever to lose an All-Star Game. Previously, Eddie Sawyer (1951), Gene Mauch (1965), Dallas Green (1981), Paul Owens (1984) and Jim Fregosi (1994) had all won as managers of the National League All-Stars. (This factoid is direct from the official Phillies' Twitter page. If anyone can tell me why Gene Mauch was managing the 1965 National All-Stars, I'd greatly appreciate it).
Pictured: Greeting his American League counterpart, the Rays' Joe Maddon, during the pre-game introductions.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

1982 Topps Stickers #123 Mike Schmidt

Random All-Star Game memories . . .

- Watching several early to mid-'80s All-Star Games in Sea Isle City with my Pop-Pop. The games were most likely proceeded by a little skee ball, a few rides at Fun City and ice cream. I rarely made it all the way through these games before going to bed in the front bedroom or in the attic bedroom, depending who was staying at the house that week.

- From the early '80s to the early '90s, lining up baseball cards of all the players involved in the game. I'd set the NL and AL line-ups, adding and subtracting cards of players as they entered or left the game.

- Furiously trying to figure out the new-fangled VCR as I attempted to video-tape the 1986 All-Star Game. I still have tapes (including commercials) of all All-Star Games from 1986 through the mid-'90s, unless my sister Carol mistakenly recorded a New Kids concert over one of them.

- Sitting in a hotel room in Hagerstown, Maryland during the rain-delayed 1990 All-Star Game in Chicago. The game was delayed at the outset by rain and the seventh inning was interrupted by an hour-plus rain delay. The rest of the family was snoozing as I sat a few inches from the TV screen, volume all the way down, waiting for the game to resume.

- Attending the 1996 All-Star Game with my Dad, sitting in Section 615 at the Vet, and convincing him to stay to the bitter end.

- Keeping score (yes, at home) for every All-Star Game since 2001. The games held in NL parks are a pain as the pitcher never bats and pinch-hitters dominate the score sheet.

- Over the last few years, having Jenna prepare an All-Star Game feast, consisting of various flavors of Doritos and random frozen appetizers, all of which are extremely bad for you, but absolutely delicious.

2008 Topps Update & Highlights #UH304 Brad Lidge AS

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Games: As an Astro - 2005; As a Phillie - 2008 (Yankee Stadium, New York)
All-Star Game Performance: Pitching in the 15th inning, Brad gave up the American League's winning run on a Michael Young sacrifice fly, which scored Justin Morneau from third. Overall, Brad has pitched 1.2 All-Star Game innings, striking out three.

2007 Topps Update & Highlights #UH262 Aaron Rowand AS

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Game: 2007 (AT&T Park, San Francisco)
All-Star Game Performance: Aaron could have been the hero in the 2007 All-Star Game when he came to bat in the bottom of the 9th inning with 2 outs and the bases loaded. Unfortunately, he flew out to right field to end the game. The American League would win by a score of 5-4. After the game, Aaron commented, "I got real good wood on it. I just barely missed it."

2007 Chachi #47 Cole Hamels AS

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Game: 2007 (AT&T Park, San Francisco)
All-Star Game Performance: Cole pitched a scoreless 4th inning for the National League. Ken Griffey, Jr. saved Cole's All-Star Game ERA by throwing out Alex Rodriguez at the plate to the end the inning. Rodriguez had singled, stole second and was attempting to score on an Ivan Rodriguez single.

2006 Topps Update & Highlights All-Star Stitches Jersey Relics #AS-TG Tom Gordon

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Games: As an Red Sox - 1998; As a Yankee - 2004; As a Phillie - 2006 (PNC Park, Pittsburgh)
All-Star Game Performance: Flash pitched a scoreless 8th inning in the 2006 All-Star Game, striking out Joe Mauer. In three All-Star Game appearances, Tom threw 2 1/3 innings, giving up an earned run and four hits.

2005 Topps Total Phillies #16 Billy Wagner

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Games: As an Astro - 1999, 2001, 2003; As a Phillie - 2005 (Comerica Park, Detroit); As a Met - 2007 & 2008
All-Star Game Performance: As a Phillie, Billy didn't get into the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit. Overall and over 5 different All-Star Game appearances, Billy's been knocked around by the American League. He has a 10.80 ERA in 3.1 innings pitched, and he's allowed home runs to Jason Giambi and Victor Martinez.

2004 Studio #150 Jim Thome

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Games: As an Indian - 1997, 1998, 1999; As a Phillie - 2004 (Minute Maid Park, Houston); As a White Sox - 2006
All-Star Game Performance: In his lone All-Star Game as a Phillie, Jim replaced Albert Pujols at first base in the 6th inning. He went 0 for 2 in the game, striking out against Ted Lilly and popping up against Mariano Rivera for the last out of the game. Overall, Jim has struggled in his All-Star Game appearances, hitting just .125 with one lone RBI.

2005 Topps Update & Highlights #UH185 Bobby Abreu AS

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Games: 2004 (Minute Maid Park, Houston) & 2005 (Comerica Park, Detroit)
All-Star Game Performance: In his first All-Star Game appearance, Bobby pinch-hit for Tom Glavine in the 7th inning, striking out against Joe Nathan. In his second All-Star Game performance, after handily winning the Home Run Derby the night before, Bobby led off the game as the NL's starting right fielder. He went 1 for 2 in that game, with a lead-off single off the AL starter, Mark Buehrle.

All-Star Game: July 14th

Tuesday 8:00

Records: American League 37-40-2, National League 40-37-2
Former Phillies at the All-Star Game: Current Cardinals' closer Ryan Franklin made the squad, despite the ridiculous growth coming from his chin.
Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s: Mike Lieberthal (2000), Jimmy Rollins (2001-2002, 2005), Vicente Padilla (2002), Scott Rolen (2002), Randy Wolf (2003), Bobby Abreu (2004-2005), Jim Thome (2004), Billy Wagner (2005), Tom Gordon (2006), Ryan Howard (2006 & 2009), Chase Utley (2006-2009), Cole Hamels (2007), Aaron Rowand (2007), Brad Lidge (2008), Raul IbaƱez (2009), Shane Victorino (2009), Jayson Werth (2009)
Only All-Star Game Gripe: It's on Fox.
Personal Status: Absolutely giddy.
AL Probable: Roy Halladay
NL Probable: Tim Lincecum

2004 Topps All-Star Stitches Jersey Relics #ASR-RW Randy Wolf

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Game: 2003 (Comiskey Park, Chicago)
All-Star Game Performance: Randy was the Phillies' lone representative in 2003, and the second pitcher to enter the game following the departure of NL starter Jason Schmidt after two innings. Randy allowed a walk, a hit and a run in his one inning of work. Carlos Delgado singled in Ichiro to give the AL a 1-0 lead, in a game the AL would eventually win, 7-6.

2003 Ultra #211 Scott Rolen AS

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Games: As a Phillie - 2002 (Miller Park, Milwaukee); As a Cardinal - 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006
All-Star Game Performance: Scott was voted the NL's starting third baseman in the 2002 Mid-Summer Classic. He went 0 for 3 with a strikeout in his initial All-Star appearance. In total, including his appearance as a Cardinal, Scott is 2 for 6 in three All-Star games. He did not appear in either the 2005 or 2006 games.

2002 Fleer Tradition Update #U358 Vicente Padilla AS

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Game: 2002 (Miller Park, Milwaukee)
All-Star Game Performance: Vicente is known as "the National League pitcher on the mound when the All-Star Game ended in a tie that year." I imagine Major League Baseball is still a little embarrassed about that one. Vicente pitched two innings that night (the 10th and the 11th) allowing just a lead-off 11th inning walk to Omar Vizquel.

The enigmatic Vicente is currently pitching with the Texas Rangers with fellow former Phillie Kevin Millwood.

2003 Upper Deck 40-Man #811 Jimmy Rollins AS

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Games: 2001 (Safeco Field, Seattle), 2002 (Miller Park, Milwaukee), and 2005 (Comerica Park, Detroit)
All-Star Game Performance: Jimmy is batting a perfect 1.000 as a result of going 3 for 3 in his three (to date) All-Star appearances. He walked against Troy Percival in his lone plate appearance in 2001. Elected as the starting NL shortstop in 2002, Jimmy went 2 for 2, with two runs scored. In 2005, he beat out an infield single in the 7th against Kenny Rogers.

I honestly thought J-Roll had appeared in more All-Star Games than three . . .

2000 Pacific Paramount #180 Mike Lieberthal

The Phillies Room Salutes Phillies All-Stars of the 2000s

All-Star Games: 1999 (Fenway Park, Boston) & 2000 (Turner Field, Atlanta)
All-Star Game Performance: In 1999, Lieby took over for starting catcher Mike Piazza in the bottom of the 5th. In the top of the 6th, facing the Royals' Jose Rosado, he grounded into a double play in his only at-bat. In 2000, he took over in the 5th inning again, this time for the departing Jason Kendall. In two at-bats, Mike popped out to third and beat out an infield single (what?) in the 9th, eventually scoring the NL's third and final run of the game.

1987 Topps #597 Mike Schmidt AS

It's here! Happy All-Star Game Day!
A small listing of my favorite days of the year:

- Christmas
- Opening Day
- Doug's birthday
- First day of a Disney trip
- Pitchers and catchers report
- All-Star Game

(This list is not all-inclusive).

Monday, July 13, 2009

2007 Topps Update & Highlights All-Star Stitches #AS-RH Ryan Howard

Close, but no fancy Home Run Derby trophy this year. Ryan Howard just missed making the final round of the 2009 derby, hitting a cumulative total of 15 home runs in the first two rounds. The Rangers' Nelson Cruz and the Brewers' Prince Fielder, with 16 and 17 home runs respectively, advanced to the final round, with Fielder ultimately taking this year's title.

Enough with the appetizer, I'm ready for the main course. The All-Star Game is tomorrow and according to Larry Andersen, this time it apparently counts.

Favorite Tweet of the Night: Philadelphia Inquirer beat writer Andy Martino - "Small children could get lost in that thing on Ryan Franklin's chin." (I thought Jenna would like that one).

2006 Chachi #47 Ryan Howard HL

Ryan Howard will compete in tonight's All-Star Game Home Run Derby in St. Louis. At the 2006 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, Ryan successfully defended the Phillies' hold on the Derby, winning the event with 23 home runs. Bobby Abreu had won the event the year before.

Prince Fielder, Adrian Gonzalez and Albert Pujols join Ryan on the National League squad. Nelson Cruz, Evan Longoria, Joe Mauer and Brandon Inge will be competing for the American League.