ST. LOUIS -- When Heath Bell met President Obama before the All-Star Game, he proudly greeted him in a T-shirt that said: "I'm kind of a big deal."A few hours later, Bell was another kind of Big Deal. He was the latest in a line of National League losing pitchers in the All-Star Game, a group that oddly includes three Padres in the past four years.
Bell didn't seem to mind the notoriety, though.
"It's unfortunate I didn't execute my pitches and we lost," he said. "You can blame it on me. It's OK. I'm a big guy. I can take it."
Bell entered in the eighth inning of a tie game. With one out, he gave up a triple to Curtis Granderson. After an intentional walk, Adam Jones hit a sacrifice fly that drove in what proved to be the winning run in the 4-3 game.
Bell explained that he had no scouting report whatsoever on Granderson.
"That's the only thing that was worrying me [before the game], how am I going to pitch them?" Bell said. "I was trying to throw it by him, simple as that. I didn't do my job. I probably should have thrown a breaking ball there. Oh well. I'm driving with my eyes closed."
Even though Bell was laughing about it afterward, he said he was plenty upset in the heat of the moment.
"I got pissed, threw my glove, kicked a door, like I normally do," he said. "Then I realized I've been pitching really good lately and I kind of needed a wake-up call and this is a good wake-up call, because it doesn't count on my record. It didn't ruin it for the Padres, my ultimate team."
When it was pointed out to Bell that he may have ruined it in the World Series for the Dodgers, who have the majors' best record, he seemed to get some satisfaction.
"I've ruined it for the Dodgers with saves against them," he said, "so I'm just doing what I normally do."
MLB All-Star Game Photos
From left Lou Brock, Red Schoendeinst, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter and Bob Gibson are introduced before the first inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game in St. Louis, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
AP
American League's Carl Crawford of the Tampa Bay Rays holds the MVP trophy after the American League defeated the National League 4-3 in the MLB All-Star baseball game in St. Louis, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
American League's Carl Crawford of the Tampa Bay Rays holds the MVP trophy after the American League defeated the National League 4-3 in the MLB All-Star baseball game in St. Louis, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
American League players congratulate each other after defeating the National League 4-3 in the MLB All-Star baseball game in St. Louis, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
American League's Carl Crawford of the Tampa Bay Rays holds the MVP trophy after the American League defeated the National League 4-3 in the MLB All-Star baseball game in St. Louis, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
American League's Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees congratulates catcher Victor Martinez of the Cleveland Indians after defeating the National League 4-3 in the MLB All-Star baseball game in St. Louis, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP
American League's Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees reacts after defeating the National League 4-3 in the MLB All-Star baseball game in St. Louis, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP
From left, National League coach Joe Torre of the Los Angeles Dodgers, coach Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals and manager Charlie Manuel of the Philadelphia Phillies watch the ninth inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game in St. Louis, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. The American League defeated the National League 4-3. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP
ST LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: American League All-Star manager Joe Maddon of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates with his team after winning the 2009 MLB All-Star Game at Busch Stadium on July 14, 2009 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Maddon
Getty Images
ST LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: American League All-Star Curtis Granderson of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with his teammates after winning the 2009 MLB All-Star Game at Busch Stadium on July 14, 2009 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Curtis Granderson
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-16-2009 @ 1:39AM
bob1eagle2 said...
Typical Padre pitcher in an All Star game, typical Padre attitude, typical Padre season
Reply
7-20-2009 @ 9:14PM
Gary H said...
San Diego Padres should not be picked for the National League All-star Team. Triple AAA and Double AA player's do not belong on that roster. When San Diego can field a major league team, then, and only then could a player be selected from their roster. This current team is a joke and I don't think that they could even win at the minor league level. Fire the whole damn bunch of these loser's.
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