Hughes, A-Rod & The All-Star Game
Posted by Steve L. on July 14th, 2010 · Comments (20)
So, Phil Hughes got the “L” in the 2010 All-Star Game, huh? Baseball karma is a you-know-what, eh?
Also, Alex Rodriguez got all dressed up and was left on the pines? Sure, General Joe had his reasons - which he shared after the game. Something about not having any more catchers or outfielders, yadda-yadda. And, if you buy that, then, hey, good for you.
Me? I’m wondering if “baseball” laid something down on Girardi along the lines of “If possible, keep A-Rod on the bench this year – for payback on him booking early from the All-Star clubhouse during the last time he was on the team…when the game was played at Yankee Stadium in 2008″?
Naaaaah, they wouldn’t do that – would they?
1) Rubbish on the karma point.
2) Even more rubbish on the conspiracy theory that baseball wanted to punish A-Rod last night for something that happened at the ’08 All-Star Game.
This kind of nonsense was acutally miscategorized and belonged under the “Wild Thoughts” tag.
MJ Recanati wrote:
Yeah, especially considering Steinbrenner.
I would think that he rode the pine to rest his hip
Corey Italiano wrote:
If the hip was an issue, then why make the trip? Worse, why tie up a roster spot? Why not attend and beg out like many Red Sox and Sunday SP did?
@ Steve Lombardi:
Because he COULD play if needed, but if it wasn’t necessary then why risk it?
As that 9th inning flair was still in the air, I muttered to myself.. “Okay, now A-Rod. Take a shot at the win.” I still would have pinch hit him for the last AB. If he ties the game you juggle the defense and make due as best you can. Really surprised Joe left him on the bench.
Corey Italiano wrote:
How many other non-pitcher players were left out of the game? Trust me, if they make the trip, suit up, and “COULD play” then they want to appear in this game – that’s what it’s all about.
Steve Lombardi wrote:
How many have been left out of a game over the years?
@ Steve Lombardi:
So one of two things happened then, according to you:
1) A-Rod was punished for some phantom misdeed that took place two years ago, despite the fact that MLB had all this time between then and now to punish him or make any sort of statement about whatever it is that he did wrong; or
2) A-Rod selfishly asked out of the game last night but wouldn’t give up his All-Star spot to another, deserving player because that’s just the kind of guy he is.
Wake me up when you forgive A-Rod for being born.
#15 wrote:
By that time, you had Beltre-Andrus-Kinsler (Rodriguez had he PH)-Konerko in the infield. Who gets bumped? If someone doesn’t get bumped, does anyone want Rodriguez playing 2b?
Poor Omar Infante. He didn’t play and no one noticed or if they did no one cared.
“Sources” say A-Rod has a banged up finger and could have played but Girardi was being overly cautious
As to players deserving All-Star spots, I think August-Novemeber of the prior year should be taken into account as much as April- June of the current one.
throwstrikes wrote:
Great point.
@ Steve Lombardi:
Let me get this straight. On the day George Steinbrenner died, Joe Girardi supposedly acceded to mysterious forces that told him to keep A-Rod on the bench in payback for 2008, and costing the team the game – and a potential home field advantage for the World Series. Even though dozens of players over the years have left the park early during All-Star Games. C’mon now.
You know what would have been an easy way for these mysterious MLB forces to get A-Rod back for 2008 – LEAVE HIM OFF THE TEAM IN THE FIRST PLACE!
Is Omar Infante one of the top 20 greatest players EVER to play the game? No. Therefore, if he’s left out of the game, it’s no issue. But, “A-Rod!” – the future HR king! – is left out, that’s a different thing.
@ lisaswan: It was a “wonder” not a “report of fact.” Let’s be clear on that.
Steve Lombardi wrote:
Selectively playing the “future HR king” card? The Selig making him sit conspiracy theory showed more imagination.
another conspiracy theory
Steve Lombardi wrote:
Then it’s obvious that Girardi was saving Rodriguez to hit a GWHR
throwstrikes wrote:
Via LoHud today:
In team news, Cashman said that while he had not yet spoken to Joe Girardi today, he believes that Alex Rodriguez is healthy and that there was no injury situation that would have kept him out of last night’s All-Star Game. There were reports that Rodriguez had a sore thumb, but Cashman said there was “nothing that I know of beyond the daily maintenance stuff.”
Cashman added, “Was he available (to play)? Yes he was.”
@Steve if you believe this:
Me? I’m wondering if “baseball” laid something down on Girardi along the lines of “If possible, keep A-Rod on the bench this year – for payback on him booking early from the All-Star clubhouse during the last time he was on the team…when the game was played at Yankee Stadium in 2008″?
….then I’ll choose to believe that Big Stein planned to die this year so his kids didn’t have to pay the inheritance tax, he wanted to die during the all-star game so he can be talked about endlessly during the one and only baseball game being televised that day, and when Stein saw the the flying spaghetti monster he proceeded to deck it in the face.
Anything is believable, it’s just what you choose to believe.