Red Sox have quiet night at 2009 All-Star Game

Despite having six players in the 2009 All-Star Game, the Boston Red Sox contingent was mainly quiet Tuesday night – save for AL East rival Carl Crawford robbing a would-be home run given up by eventual winning pitcher Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon came in for the seventh inning and threw 10 pitches to three batters, but the one that stood out was a blast by Colorado’s Brad Hawpe to lead off the inning.

Crawford – named the game’s MVP – made a leaping catch up the eight-foot wall and snared the shot, preserving a 3-3 tie.

Papelbon gave up another long fly ball out to Miguel Tejada and then struck out Jayson Werth to end the inning.

Sadly, first-time All-Star Tim Wakefield – the oldest first-time All-Star since Satchel Paige in 1952 – did not appear in the game as he was held back for a potential extra innings situation. Josh Beckett did not pitch, not a surprise since he was coming off a complete game victory on Sunday. 

Left fielder Jason Bay started and batted fifth, going 1-2 with a single. Kevin Youkilis would pinch-hit in the 8th, stroking a single. Fan-voted starter Dustin Pedroia did not make the trip due to an ongoing family medical situation.

All-Star Notes

– The American League won the game 4-3 in just two hours and 31 minutes, the quickest game since 1988.

– The AL is now 12-0-1 since 1997, the longest unbeaten streak in the game’s history. In those games, the AL have outscored the NL 76-48 and out-homered them 21-10

– The AL’s four straight one-run wins tied an All-Star record.

– The game was the first without a home run since the 1999 affair at Boston’s Fenway Park.

SWB Reflux: How To Fix The Home Run Derby

A year ago following the ridiculousness of Justin Morneau winning the Home Run Derby when the only person anyone remembers is Josh Hamilton, Small White Ball had enough and decided to present our ways to fix the Home Run Derby.

Sadly, none of our changes have made the cut but we’ll press on every year until something changes. Yes, we realize we’re complaining about a exhibition, but there’s a reason people watch, a reason there are major sponsors attached and a reason why ESPN airs the show in primetime.

It’s important enough that given all of that, people should care about the rules and how to improve them.

So take a few minutes out of your day and click here for our July 2008 post, “The SWB Proposal For Fixing The Home Run Derby.”

Josh Nason is the main writer and publisher of Small White Ball, a New England-based sports and media blog on the MVN Network. He can be reached at josh [at] smallwhiteball [dot-com].

Dustin Pedroia to miss All-Star Game

After missing a game Monday to be by his wife’s side as was she hospitalized with early labor complications, news broke that second baseman Dustin Pedroia could miss Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game due to the ongoing situation.

ESPN confirmed this morning that the reigning AL MVP will not be going to St. Louis and will stay behind to be with wife Kelly instead. Tampa Bay first baseman Carlos Pena will take his place on the roster, his first All-Star nomination.

Pedroia was voted in by the fans to start the game. He is currently hitting .300 with 40 RBI, 64 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. Going into Sunday’s game, he is 13 for his last 27 (.481) with two home runs, six doubles, a triple and five RBI in his last six games.

Expect Toronto second baseman Aaron Hill (.295/20 home runs/60 RBI/52 runs) to get the start in Pedroia’s place.

Boston Bruins make mark during NHL All-Star Weekend

It seems fitting that several of the Boston Bruins made big impressions on an NHL All-Star Weekend held in Montreal, Canada. The Bruins – who enter the season’s second half tied with San Jose for the NHL’s best record – were well-represented during All-Star Weekend.
Here are some of the highlights:
– Rookie Blake Wheeler (left) scored four goals in the Youngstars game and was named MVP. All four Wheeler goals came off Montreal goalie Carey Price, which was kinda cool.
– Goalie Tim Thomas picked up his second-straight one-goal All-Star victory, pulling the Eastern Conference through in the game’s deciding shootout. Thomas had 19 saves on 22 shots – not bad for a guy that wasn’t on the All-Star ballot.
– Defenseman Zdeno Chara recorded the hardest shot in the Skills competition with a 105.4 mph blast.
– The under-appreciated Marc Savard tallied three assists in the All-Star Game and was 3/8 in the Accuracy Competition.
– Milan Lucic was named to the Sophomores Youngstars team, but didn’t compete due to injury.
In a season where the Bruins are exceeding expectations, they had a great All-Star weekend on which to build for the stretch run. They might just be alright after all.
Josh Nason – josh [at] smallwhiteball [com] – is the publisher and main writer of Small White Ball, an all-encompassing New England-based sports blog that began in 2007. You can also read on mixed martial arts, boxing and pro wrestling at brother site RopesRingandCage.com. If you’re using any part of this post, please link back to http://www.smallwhiteball.com. Thank you!

Labels: Boston Bruins; Blake Wheeler: Tim Thomas: NHL All-Star Game; Zdeno Chara; Milan Lucic