Out of Left Field: All-Star Game Turns on Pair of Plays in Outfield

ST. LOUIS – With organizations re-realizing the value of defense, it was appropriate that the MVP of Tuesday's All-Star Game was picked because of his play in the field.

Carl Crawford was awarded the Arch Ward Trophy for his leaping grab in the seventh inning, robbing Brad Hawpe of what would have been a tie-breaking homer to left.

"I don't think I've ever robbed a home run before," Crawford said, "so I picked a good time to do it tonight. It's definitely probably my best catch I've ever made."

Said AL manager Joe Maddon, who also manages Crawford with Tampa Bay: "I don't know that I've ever seen Carl go over the wall. ... The way he got to the position on the ball was great, and the catch, obviously, was fantastic.

"I've been talking to everybody all year about this. Carl, he has become a better baseball player since I first met him in 2006. He's a better defender, a better thrower, a better baserunner, a better base stealer, and it's all because of his work. I'm not saying it's our fault he's better; it's because of him. His work ethic is that good."

Crawford said he didn't think the ball would carry as much as it would did. But using the speed that enticed the University of Nebraska to recruit him out of Houston as an option quarterback, Crawford got to the fence in front of the AL bullpen in time to jump and make the catch.

"I was right there," Mariano Rivera said. "That was a great play, a great play. I would think that saved the game right there."

MLB All-Star Game Photos

ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) greets National League All-Star Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals after throwing out the first pitch before the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Albert Pujols;Barack Obama

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: U.S. President Barack Obama throws out the first pitch before the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Barack Obama

MLB Photos via Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: U.S. President Barack Obama walks onto the field before the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Barack Obama

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: Sheryl Crow sings the National Anthem before the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sheryl Crow

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: American League All-Star Victor Martinez #41 of the Cleveland Indians congratulates American League All-Star Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees after the American League team won the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mariano Rivera;Victor Martinez

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: A general view of Busch Stadium during the pregame ceremonies of the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Jessica Foster/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: American League All-Star Victor Martinez #41 of the Cleveland Indians tags National League All-Star Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies out after dropping the ball in the bottom of the eighth inning during the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Victor Martinez;Ryan Howard

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: American League All-Star Carl Crawford #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays catches a ball off the bat of National League All-Star Brad Hawpe #11 of the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning during the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carl Crawford

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: National League All-Star Miguel Tejada #10 of the Houston Astros turns a double play against American League All-Star Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning of the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Hamilton;Miguel Tejada

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: American League All-Star Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins throws to first base during the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium July 14, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The American League beat the National League 4-3. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Mauer

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Said Joe Nathan: "It was amazing how quick he got back, and was able to get above the wall to bring that one back."

Crawford's grab was the best in an All-Star Game since 2002, when Torii Hunter took a homer away from Barry Bonds.

"That was a nice catch," Crawford said. "He went up higher than I did."

But Curtis Granderson, playing center field Tuesday, was suitably impressed with Crawford's play.

"It was cool just to be next to it and watch it," Granderson said.

Hawpe was appreciative as well.

"I hit it well," he said, "but as soon as I hit I saw him going back looking like he was going to catch it. He had a bead on it.

"I know he's unbelievable. He took a bunch of hits away from us in Denver. He's just a great outfielder, a great baseball player."

Or, as Trevor Hoffman put it, "Great players make great players in great situations, and that happened right there."

"I don't think I've ever robbed a home run before. ... It's definitely probably my best catch I've ever made"
-- Carl Crawford It wasn't as good a night in left field for Justin Upton. A career right fielder, he had never played left before, and when Granderson hit a drive off the same part of the fence a half-inning after Crawford made his catch, Upton got too close to the wall. When the ball ricocheted past him, it went for a triple.

"A couple days ago they asked if I played center," Upton said, "and I said I said I hadn't played in 2 1/2 years. I guess he (manager Charlie Manuel) figured I could play either corner.

"It definitely played a little different, but that ball was crushed. He put a good swing on it and I wasn't able to get there."

It was Granderson's first career All-Star at-bat.

"A lot of guys talked about their at-bats and said, 'Hey, I'm going to try to go up there and get something I can drive,' " Granderson said, "And that was it, just see if I could hit the ball hard and see what happens. And sure enough I was able to square it up."

Maddon noted Granderson's hustle on the play.

"A lot of times," Maddon said, "a ball will be hit like that and a hitter automatically assumes a double. He did not assume a double, he assumed three right there, which puts an entirely different attitude on the other side in regard to what they can do."

Zack Greinke said Granderson's teammate, Justin Verlander, predicted a homer for Granderson as he came up to bat.

"I was like, if he hits the ball it's going to be an extra-base hit," Greinke said. "That's all he does."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-15-2009 @ 8:34AM

hdekiere said...

I dont agree with the MVP selection. Yes it was a "POSSIBLE" game saving catch, but they lableled it a game saving catch. I don't agree, a game saving catch is one made on an opponents last at bat when they could have won if it wasn't caught. This award should have had co-MVP's if your going to include the catch. Grandersons triple was in my opinion the turning point. Sure Upton misplayed the flyball but it wasnt ruled an error. Granderson knew we needed a triple and he pushed for it and got it and scored the game winning run. "THE GAME WINNING RUN!!!!" That deserves just as much credit as a "GAME SAVING CATCH". Triples do not come often and the are more rare than home-runs, Grandy was robbed of what he deserves and i think its a shame. How ironic the MVP played on the same team as the manager and coaches. Sour grapes yes quite possibly, but as far as im concerned it should have been a co-mvp. I'm not going to take anything away from Crawford, it was a fantastic catch, but a game winning hit and a game winning run scored deserve alot more credit than a "POSSIBLE" game saving catch.

7-15-2009 @ 9:38AM

dewit202 said...

I agree 100%.

7-15-2009 @ 9:42AM

hdekirer. You are right. I think they wanted to stick to their theme of "pitching and defense" and completely ignored Grandersons magnificent piece of offense which actually won the game. Wished Crawford had given a little praise to that hit-base run in his interviews or Madden....anybody.

7-15-2009 @ 10:38AM

myra said...

While the guy came in to score the run. what about giving props to Adam Jones who hit the sac fly to bring the run in. no one has mentioned him as the mvp.

7-15-2009 @ 10:54AM

Yes Jones too. Good at bat for the first-timer