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Josh Hamilton Says The Say Hey Kid Did Not Snub Him

While the 2008 All Star Game may be a thing of the past, people have still been talking about things they saw at Yankee Stadium those three days, and most of them have to do with Josh Hamilton. While most of the talk is about the 498 home runs (give or take) that Hamilton hit during the Home Run Derby (How dumb did Justin Morneau feel having to accept that trophy?), there's also a lot of talk about Hamilton's relationship with the legendary Willie Mays.

The day after the game there was a lot of talk about the apparent snub of Hamilton by Mays before the game. If you didn't see it, before the player introductions, forty-nine Hall of Famers were announced at their positions. Then, when the players were introduced, they ran out to their spot and shook hands with the legends that stood before them. Just one tiny problem.

When Hamilton ran out to his spot in centerfield, Willie Mays turned away from him and kept on talking to Kosuke Fukudome, who doesn't speak a whole lot of English. This of course started the firestorm that Mays didn't like Hamilton for some reason, but Josh wants us to know that wasn't the case at all.
Hamilton quickly denied any sort of snub, though, and said Mays was simply talking to National League starter Kosuke Fukudome and later greeted Hamilton (visual proof above).

"He leaned over and told me, 'Congratulations,' " said Hamilton, a first-time All-Star. "I told him that I've known who he is for a long time and that I'm a big fan."
Josh then told Willie to let his godson know that he has a ton of unused needles should he need any. Or he just sang along to the Star-Spangled Banner, I don't know, I'm not a lip-reader.

John Henry Doesn't Appreciate Manny's Comments About the Team

I always thought that Manny Ramirez has been a good enough hitter throughout his career that he's entitled to do whatever the hell he wants and have it be brushed off as nothing more than "Manny being Manny." Going into the Green Monster between innings to make a phone call or take a leak? That's just Manny being Manny. Knocking over the team's traveling secretary because he couldn't get him enough tickets? That's just Manny being Manny. High fiving a fan after making a catch? You guessed it, just Manny being Manny.


Accusing the team of not being straightforward with him and deceiving him? That's just, hey! That's not cool at all!

At least, not if you're Red Sox owner John Henry. During the All-Star break Manny made the following comment when asked about his future in Boston.
"I want no more [expletive] where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing," Ramirez told the Boston Herald. "I think I've earned that respect, for a team to sit down with me and tell me this is what we want, this is what we want to do."
When John Henry caught wind of what Manny had said, needless to say, he wasn't exactly doing back flips.

Next on the Hill for the NL: David Wright?

You think that there couldn't be any more absurdity to Tuesday night's All-Star extravaganza? Imagine if the game had gone to the 17th inning or so, with Brad Lidge as the final N.L. pitcher already having pitched a couple of innings. The next pitcher that Clint Hurdle might have brought in was the designated hitter for the NL: David Wright.
"I told David, 'You were the last pick. I went and got you. Have you ever pitched in an All‑Star Game?'" Hurdle said. "I said, 'You wanted to be in this thing. That's all I've read, all I've heard for the last three days. You won't believe how much you might be in it here real quick.'

"He said, 'Let's go.'" (...)

Wright said Hurdle was "kind of joking around that he might need me to go out there and pitch." But the Mets third baseman said, "If he would have asked me to, I would have went out there." Did Wright think Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon or general manager Omar Minaya would mind?

"Don't worry," Wright remembered saying. "They're probably sleeping by now. Nobody will know."
I don't know about that. Sometimes, Minaya is awake at 3AM. Just ask Willie Randolph.

Marathon All-Star Game Highlights Flaws


Years from now when people look back on the 79th All-Star Game, they'll remember a few things. First and foremost, they'll remember the celebration of Yankee Stadium, one of baseball's last remaining living museums, in its final season. Right alongside that, they'll think fondly of Josh Hamilton. Even if you're sick of hearing about his intense battle with drug addiction, the sight of him launching 500-foot homers into the black New York sky at the Home Run Derby won't soon be forgotten.

And perhaps after that, they'll remember the actual game itself for its record length -- 15 innings over four hours and 50 minutes. It's safe to say nobody will be thinking of the final All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium as a classic.

Part of that was the ugliness of the game. This Midsummer Classic had everything -- blown calls by the umpire, poor baserunning, way too much Aaron Cook, epic offensive squanders and even three errors by poor Dan Uggla.

But the flaws in the structure of the current incarnation of the All-Star Game were also on not-so-sparkling display. Major League Baseball still has the best showcase event in American professional sports, but it's not above a little cosmetic overhaul now and again.

With that in mind, here are four things that baseball should change to improve the All-Star Game. (There was plenty of time to come up with a list Tuesday night).

Papelbon Says His Pregnant Wife Had Her 'Life Threatened' at Red Carpet Parade

The only thing sillier about the All-Star Game (excluding Alfonso Soriano picking his nose) than actually having an hour-long red carpet parade was that Yankee fans got into a veritable froth over hearing that Jonathan Papelbon, the Red Sox closer, wanted the ball in the ninth inning so he could *gasp* close the game. You know, instead of Mariano Rivera.



Of course, all of that became a hell of a lot less funny when Papelbon told the press that he and his wife were uncomfortable during the pregame ceremonies, to the point that insults from fans felt life threatening.
"I feel like I needed to be in a bullet-proof car," Papelbon said, according to the Web site. "My wife is pregnant and she's getting her life threatened. It's stupid."

[...]Papelbon told MLB.com that he was so disturbed by the parade incident that he didn't even care if he pitched on Tuesday.

"Your family gets involved like that and you're trying to enjoy an experience with your family, and you have a wife who's pregnant who doesn't feel safe riding in a red-carpet event, you know what I mean? How would you feel?" Papelbon said, according to MLB.com.
That's what you call keeping it classy Yankee fans. Threatening a pregnant woman because her husband wants to do his job. It really is a great way to celebrate the rich history of Yankee Stadium.

He said he would like to close. That's what he does. I've prattled about this ridiculous rivalry before, so I don't want to go off on another rant about the need for Red Sox and Yankees fans to take a step back and evaluate what's actually important, but seriously, grow up. There's nothing cool about death threats on pregnant women.

In Which Alfonso Soriano Sums Up Six Hours of All-Star Fail Hurdle

I shouldn't really say fail. After all, Clint Hurdle did let Aaron Cook pitch for three full innings, so we've got that going for us. And Joe Buck and Tim McCarver never fell asleep as far as we can tell. But, as you can hear from Buck here, Terry Francona had maxed out his bench in the seventh inning. Alfonso Soriano, meanwhile, was busy striking gold.



Again, Soriano picking his nose -- it's a sign Cubs fans!!! -- doesn't really sum up what was an insanely thrilling All-Star Game. But when McCarver suggested that the AL bunt Ian Kinsler over and have him steal third, I found myself in a similar position, only with a slightly more puzzled look on my face.

MLB All Star Game Live Blog - Chat Extravaganza, Tonight at 8 PM


"TOMMY WANT WINGY!!!!"

You know why the All Star Game is important? Because there's nothing else on, that's why. Just kidding, of course. The ASG is awesome, regardless of what cynical people want to tell you. Why? Because of things like Torii Hunter robbing Barry Bonds at the fence. And Randy Johnson buzzing John Kruk. Pete Rose taking a gamble and running over the catcher at home despite the exhibition status. And Cal Ripken, making people forget that his farewell tour was slightly less painful than Brett Favre's. Kidding, Cal, you rule. And those are just the recent and potentially falsely remembered memories right off the top of my head (they by no means define the ASG, but you get the point).

Oh yeah, and because it's halfway through summer and we still have three more months of baseball left. So come join me and whoever else stops by for a live blog of the Midsummer Classic, starting tonight somewhere between 7:45 and 8:00.

Willie Randolph Will Attend All-Star Game as George Steinbrenner's Guest

Willie RandolphWillie Randolph will be attending the All-Star Game tonight. This wouldn't be news if someone told you this a month ago -- Randolph was originally expected to serve as one of the National League's coaches -- but since being unceremoniously canned by the Mets, it seemed like the only way he'd get through the gates would be if he bought his own ticket.

But as it turns out, Randolph won't need to scalp a ticket after all; he'll be in the buidling as the personal guest of the Steinbrenner family. It's no secret that the Yanks' ownership still has an affinity for their former player and coach -- Hank offered Willie a job just days after Omar Minaya's axe came down -- but this is still a bit unexpected. From William C. Rhoden of the New York Times:
"George invited Willie Randolph to the All-Star Game," said Howard Rubenstein, the spokesman for George Steinbrenner. "George urged him to attend and he accepted."

[...] "George had some great things to say about him," Rubenstein said. Then, referring to the entire Steinbrenner family, Rubenstein added: "They truly love him."
Should this be interpreted as some kind of snub to the crosstown rival Mets? Probably not. Randolph has a long history with the Yankees, winning a combined six titles as a player and coach. And besides, while some feel that Randolph was unfairly branded a scapegoat for the Mets' troubles, the decision to fire him seems to have paid off: the Mets have gone from two games under .500 before his dismissal to seven games over now, thanks largely to their nine-game winning streak heading into the break.

In all likelihood, this is just a nice gesture being extended to an old friend -- though I wouldn't be surprised if the Yanks still hope to convince him into returning in some capacity down the road.

Jeff Allison Is Why We Should Still Talk About Josh Hamilton's Drug Addiction

Earlier today Will Brinson wrote a thoughtful piece about why we should ease back our discussion of Josh Hamilton the former drug addict and just focus on the fact that he's a terrific baseball player. It's a very strong point, especially when we'll be facing a steady dose of his comeback tale during tonight's All-Star Game.

If there's a reason why Hamilton's redemption should never fall too far from the public eye, though, it's because of the inspiration it may bring to others struggling with addiction. People like Jeff Allison, the 2003 first round pick of the Florida Marlins. Like Hamilton, Allison's baseball future was brighter than the sun and, like Hamilton, it has dimmed because of drug use. Allison is sober now and trying to follow in Hamilton's footsteps.
"He has inspired me. I sometimes get emotional when I just talk about Josh Hamilton. The things he's doing now versus the things he used to do, to choose life over what he did, is unbelievable. I know what he went through."
After missing the past two seasons, Allison is pitching for Single-A Jupiter and is 5-7 with a 4.39 ERA. Unspectacular numbers for a 23-year old in the Florida State League, although he did make the All-Star Game for that level, but the numbers are only part of the story.

Just as they are for Hamilton. He has shown people like Allison that there is a road back from addiction. Even if the road doesn't lead to Yankee Stadium and the All-Star Game, it's a road worth traveling.

Josh Hamilton, Oncoming Endorsement Monster


Baseball people have long known the story of Josh Hamilton, but 2008 -- which now includes last night's thrilling Home Run Derby performance, not to mention a Sports Illustrated cover story and a hunt for the Triple Crown -- has made Hamilton a household name. He's a tribute to the power of redemption and determination and faith and other nebulous morals that get Rick Reilly warm in the britches, and what good is fighting your way back to the majors if you can't cash in on your ability?

Get ready, Mr. Hamilton. Baby, you're (about to be) a rich man:
"This is a marathon and we're very protective of not losing sight of that," Moye said. "In the beginning, we said we'd wait until the off-season to look at things, but if there's some association that works out before that, we'll obviously take a look at it. I've been doing this for 25 years and it's certainly the most amazing story I've ever come across. The baseball junkies definitely knew Josh, but I think America learned who he was last night," Moye said. "The phone has definitely been ringing."
The one downside? Hamilton could still be seen as a risk -- is drug use, even conquered, something Gatorade and Nike want to associate their product with? I say yes. Not everyone can relate to the otherworldliness of LeBron James, but plenty of people can relate to the human strength required to beat a universal menace like addiction. Hamilton could be an endorsement beast not in spite of his past, but because of it.