Not one post about the All-Star game? - Freeze-Frame Radio

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

Not one post about the All-Star game?

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

darleneapd · Cuff 'Em N' Stuff 'Em

Didn't think you wanted me to rub it in!!!

Boston OF J.D. Drew wins All-Star game MVP award
Associated Press

NEW YORK -- J.D. Drew always had All-Star talent. Now he has the award to prove it.

After waiting 11 seasons to play in a Midsummer Classic, the oft-injured Drew hit a tying homer in his first at-bat Tuesday night and took home MVP honors following a wild American League victory at Yankee Stadium.

The Red Sox outfielder also singled and finished 2-for-4 with a walk to help the AL beat the National Leaguers 4-3 in 15 innings.

"I've always had confidence in the ability," said Drew, signed by Boston before last season. "Just took me a little while to put it together last year, get some experience in the American League."

In a game that lasted 4 hours, 50 minutes, Drew was nearly asked to do more than hit.

"He might have been a little more of an MVPer if we went a couple more innings. He might have pitched," AL manager Terry Francona of the Red Sox said. "He's been begging me a long time to pitch, and we almost got close."

Drew said he would have been ready to take the mound if the AL ran out of pitchers, but he wasn't necessarily looking forward to it.

"After it started to come to fruition, I was a little bit nervous to be honest with you," he said. "I would have thrown some stuff up there. I got a little sneaky stuff here and there. I don't know if I would have got anybody out.

"It wouldn't have been anything pretty, that's for sure."

Drew was presented with a white SUV for winning the MVP award, named after Boston Hall of Famer Ted Williams.

"One of those undescribable events," Drew said near second base as he was booed by the scattered crowd that remained at about 1:50 a.m.

Only fitting, because the rival Red Sox had a rewarding week in New York.

Boston had seven players selected for baseball's All-Star salute to The House That Ruth Built in its final season, plus Francona.

The Red Sox even excelled in the Futures Game for top prospects on Sunday when 19-year-old Boston minor leaguer Che-Hsuan Lin hit a two-run homer for the World team to win the MVP.

"It's a different situation to come in as a Red Sox, but you're playing for the victory ultimately," Drew said.

The 32-year-old Drew hit a two-run drive off Cincinnati right-hander Edinson Volquez with two outs in the seventh inning, tying the score at 2 and making him the 15th player to homer in his first All-Star at-bat.

"It just adds to his season that he's having," Boston catcher Jason Varitek said.

Booed much of the night along with the rest of the Red Sox, Drew was cheered by the Yankee Stadium crowd as he rounded the bases.

"It was brief to say the least. It was a little weird. I heard about it when I got back out to right field, for sure," Drew said. "Then as the game went along, I think they forgot that I hit a home run and it picked up again."

The Red Sox were criticized for signing Drew to a $70 million, five-year contract when he was a free agent before last season. He got off to a slow start in Boston, then hit a big grand slam in the 2007 AL championship series against Cleveland. This year, he's showing all his skills, batting .302 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs.

Drew's production has been crucial for Boston, helping to fill the void left by injured slugger David Ortiz.

"He had some struggles last year, and we knew he was a better player. He knew he was a better player," Francona said. "We're seeing that now, and we've seen it for a while now. Since Dave has been hurt, J.D. has been really special for us."

Drew became the fourth Red Sox player to win an All-Star MVP, joining Pedro Martinez (1999 at Fenway Park), Roger Clemens (1986) and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski (1970).

"It's been a nice little run," Drew said. "We've still got a long ways to go, but this is definitely a good night."

-- Edited by darleneapd at 11:21, 2008-07-16

darleneapd · Cuff 'Em N' Stuff 'Em

In this July 13, 2008 file photo, six of the Boston Red Sox players who will play in the 2008 All-Star game, from left, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew, Jonathan Papelbon and Kevin Youkilis, receive jerseys on the field before the start of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Boston. The six will be joined by manager Terry Francona and catcher Jason Varitek. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

Hey now. You know that isn't fair. First of all, go blame the Reds pitcher who blew the save first. The try blaming the Mets pitcher who also blew the save. Don't put it all on my Phillies. You want to blame someone else, blame the Marlin's Uggla for sucking and making three errors.

I didn't watch too much of the game. It was boring. I turned it off in the top of the 8th inning. I read about it this morning. What happened to the 15-14 victories from years ago? There is no offense now and it has become a pitcher's duel. I still think this is the stupidest way to determine home field advantage for the playoffs. Whichever team has the best overall record, should determine it.

But don't worry. Your Brewers are not going to the World Series this year. And no NL team will win the Series this year anyway.

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

I agree. The All-Star game should not determine home field advantage. It's not fair the AL has had it for twelve years now.

I just liked the old way of trading off, one year AL one year NL.

But I have to disagree with you on the last part. The Brewers ARE going to the series and here's how it's gonna happen.

As the wild card we're gonna have to play the best team in round one, that'll be the Cubs. In traditional Cubs fashion they'll choke and lose in four.

Next up, we'll be playing the Phillies for the league championship. Somehow you guys will have snuck in there, but we'll win easily, needing only the minimum four games to do it. Sabathia will win two games in that short series, and the last out for the Phils will be made when Geoff Jenkins feebly swings and misses at a low inside pitch six inches above his shoes.

From there we'll progress to the World Series and take on Darlene's Red Sox. Of course, the Red Sox will have gotten fat and lazy from all the expensive meals they've eaten with the money showered on em' by their money-ball management and won't be very effective in the field.

The Brewers will mash a record number of home runs for a World Series and wind up winning in five, enjoying the clinching victory in front of the hometown fans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

WOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

All that's let to do is plan the parade route down Wisconsin Avenue.

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

Oh, and then in 2009 Darlene's mean team will overpay Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia and leave us with nothing

darleneapd · Cuff 'Em N' Stuff 'Em

All that's let to do is plan the parade route down Wisconsin Avenue.

And if all this goes as you've planned, you deserve a parade.... you should put your lawn chair out now and save yourself a spot on Wisconsin Avenue.

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

Oh, IT'S THERE! I've had it there since May!

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

Have to love your optimisim and enthusiam. But please, a straight four games over the Cubs and Phillies? We shall see. Way too much baseball to be played. Second half of the season, here they come. Play ball!

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

Jeremy Riggs wrote:

Oh, IT'S THERE! I've had it there since May!

Are you sure the trashmen didn't take it?

darleneapd · Cuff 'Em N' Stuff 'Em

confuzzed wrote:
Jeremy Riggs wrote:

Oh, IT'S THERE! I've had it there since May!

Are you sure the trashmen didn't take it?

and if and when that day happens, save the plane ticket cash, you can go back in your lawn chair like this guy:

darleneapd · Cuff 'Em N' Stuff 'Em

or this guy: