As an AL fan, I just want to thank the Padres for contributing, for the second year in a row, the NL’s losing pitcher in the All Star Game. And, this year, a special thank you for all those Padres fans who voted Chris Young onto the team as the final selection, and those on my blogroll who campaigned for Young.
This year’s win gives the AL eleven in a row,* matching the longest streak the NL put together back in the 1970s and early ’80s. So, how dominant is the AL now? Pretty dominant, though these last two have been one-run affairs, and top closers JJ Putz and K-Rod made this one interesting. The NL is getting closer, but those Padres pitchers are doing their part to keep our streak going.
Thanks, Padres!
And one final note: It was fun to hear the San Francisco fans boo Lackey and K-Rod during introductions. Always nice to be remembered, even almost five years later.
Well, OK, one more really final note: Albert Pujols is a pretty good hitter to be left on the bench in a 1-run game with two out and three on in the bottom of the 9th. I have to admit, it would have been fun to see K-Rod up against Pujols. It also would have been fun to see where Big Albert would have played in the 10th if the NL had sent the game into extras, as Pujols would have been pinch-hitting for the center fielder, and was the NL’s last non-pitcher available.
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* Clarification: The NL has not won since 1996, but the AL streak of being unbeaten includes 2002, the year Bud shrugged (ending the game in a tie).
I’ve been trying very hard to come up with a snide response but it’s hopeless. But we’re in first, so at least I don’t feel too bad.
Seed planted by Greg Weeks — 11 July 2007 @ 16:35
Well, if I were a betting man, you could have made some serious money off me by betting that the Padres would have the league’s best record at the All Star break.
It is a good thing that I am not a betting man.
(I am not sure which is more shocking: Padres with NL’s best record at the break, or Angels only 1/2 game behind AL best record at the break!)
Seed planted by MSS — 11 July 2007 @ 17:34
So maybe an Angels-Padres World Series…
Seed planted by Greg Weeks — 12 July 2007 @ 08:02
When I was a kid, I always pined for the Dodgers-Angels series (which is also a possibility this year). Now that would mean less to me, though it would still be fun. Padres-Angels would give me a higher chance of seeing more games, given proximity.
However, I would be shocked if the Angels made it all the way to the World Series. I just do not think the offense is that good. Boston and Detroit look much better to me, and I am not even confident that the Angels can win the West.
The NL is harder to call. It is a league with no really good teams, and I could see any of the current contenders making it all the way to the World Series.
Seed planted by MSS — 12 July 2007 @ 15:28