Tuesday Trends and Indexes 07/15 ** All-Star Game **

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Trends and Indexes
Tuesday July 15

Good Luck on day #197 of 2008!

NOTE:
As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.
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Daily Sports Roundup

Tuesday, July 15

The National League will be trying to put an end to a lengthy losing streak when they take on their American League counterparts in the annual All-Star Game Tuesday night.

The last time the NL pulled out a victory in the All-Star Game was back in 1996, when MVP Mike Piazza (then of the Los Angeles Dodgers) led his club to a 6-0 victory. Since then the American League is 10-0-1 in the contest, with that infamous tie coming in 2002. Last season Josh Beckett got the victory as the AL edged the NL by a tally of 5-4.

And the American League is obviously pegged as the favorite again this season, with the game being held at Yankee Stadium (first pitch is set for 8:20pm ET on Tuesday). The Vegas oddsmakers have the Junior Circuit listed as the -140 favorites to win the contest and secure home-field advantage in the World Series, with the total at 10 runs.

So which players are the National League running out onto the field to try and put an end to their decade-long skid? Here are the starters for both leagues for Tuesday . . .

National League Starters

C - Geovany Soto (Cubs)
1B - Lance Berkman (Astros)
2B - Chase Utley (Phillies)
3B - Chipper Jones (Braves)
SS - Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)
OF - Matt Holliday (Rockies)
OF - Ryan Braun (Brewers)
OF - Kosuke Fukudome (Cubs)

Soto and Fukudome are both rookies, and obviously are making their first All-Star appearances. Ramirez and Braun will be participating in the game for the first time as well, while Utley and Holliday have three appearances each, Berkman has five, and Jones has six. The Cubs' Alfonso Soriano was also elected to the starting lineup, but he'll miss the game due to an injury; Holliday was selected as his replacement to start.

The National League's pitching staff will include Aaron Cook, Ryan Dempster, Dan Haren, Brad Lidge, Tim Lincecum, Carlos Marmol, Ben Sheets, Edinson Volquez, Billy Wagner, Brandon Webb, Brian Wilson, and Carlos Zambrano. Kerry Wood also made the team, but he'll sit out with a blister on his hand; Marmol replaces him on the squad.

The NL reserves are Russell Martin, Brian McCann, Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Dan Uggla, Aramis Ramirez, David Wright, Cristian Guzman, Miguel Tejada, Corey Hart, Ryan Ludwick, and Nate McLouth. Hart made the team due to the Final Man vote.

American League Starters

C - Joe Mauer (Twins)
1B - Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox)
2B - Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox)
3B - Alex Rodriguez (Yankees)
SS - Derek Jeter (Yankees)
OF - Manny Ramirez (Red Sox)
OF - Josh Hamilton (Rangers)
OF - Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners)

Youkilis, Pedroia, and Hamilton will all be making their All-Star debuts on Tuesday, while Mauer has been there twice, Suzuki eight times, Jeter nine times, and Rodriguez and Ramirez a dozen times apiece. David Ortiz was voted in as the starting designated hitter, but his injury will keep him out of the game. Milton Bradley will be the DH instead.

On the pitching staff for the American League this year are Justin Duchscherer, Roy Halladay, Scott Kazmir, Cliff Lee, Joe Nathan, Jonathan Papelbon, Mariano Rivera, Francisco Rodriguez, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, George Sherrill, and Joakim Soria.

Selected as the AL's reserves were Dioner Navarro, Jason Varitek, Justin Morneau, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Joe Crede, Carlos Guillen, Evan Longoria, J.D. Drew, Carlos Quentin, Grady Sizemore, and Bradley. Longoria won the Final Man vote for the league.

Managing the American League side this year will be Terry Francona, who got his Red Sox back into first place in the AL East division on Sunday afternoon (they're a half-game up on the Rays). Meanwhile, the NL's manager will be Clint Hurdle; his Rockies were a surprise success last year, but they haven't done much damage so far this year.

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Six-pack for Tuesday

Not the best week to be a Packer........Green Bay or Billy

-- How about Josh Hamilton bringing a 71-year old American Legion coach up from North Carolina to throw in Home Run Derby? But you wonder if he got tired late Monday night.

-- Mr Counsil, the BP pitcher, had been in the Bronx for one baseball game; when Don Larsen threw his perfect game in the 1956 World Series. He was 19 back then.

-- Any chance the Packers trade Aaron Rodgers?

-- I feel bad CBS cut Billy Packer loose; sometimes, people just want to hear a different voice. If ESPN had half a brain, they'd sign Packer tomorrow, or tonight.

-- Ryan Braun brought his agent to throw BP? Imagine what pressure the guy was under; trying to throw meatballs to his client in front of the whole world. Lets see scumweasel agent Scott Boras do that-- he'd probably charge by the pitch.

-- The Josh Hamilton Story will be hell of a movie someday; you just pray it has a happy ending.

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WNBA – Long Sheet

WNBA
Long Sheet

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Tuesday, July 15
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NEW YORK (10 - 9) at CONNECTICUT (13 - 8) - 7/15/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 107-79 ATS (+20.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.
NEW YORK is 56-36 ATS (+16.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
NEW YORK is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 5-5 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 8-2 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAN ANTONIO (15 - 6) at PHOENIX (9 - 11) - 7/15/2008, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in home games this season.
PHOENIX is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
PHOENIX is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
PHOENIX is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
PHOENIX is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) after a division game this season.
PHOENIX is 6-13 ATS (-8.3 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 5-4 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 6-4 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA – Trends Sheet

WNBA


Tuesday, July 15

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Trend Sheet
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7:00 PM NEW YORK vs. CONNECTICUT
New York is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of New York's last 10 games
Connecticut is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Connecticut is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home


10:00 PM SAN ANTONIO vs. PHOENIX
San Antonio is 3-8-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
San Antonio is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 1-10-1 ATS in its last 12 games at home
Phoenix is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games at home

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Major League Baseball -- All-Star Game

2008 All-Star Game


Tuesday, July 15

Yankee Stadium
880 River Avenue
Bronx, New York 10451
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MLB


Tuesday, July 15

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Baseball Today
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SCOREBOARD

Tuesday, July 15

All-Star game (8:00 p.m. EDT). The 79th version of the midsummer classic is held at Yankee Stadium.


STAR

Monday

- Justin Morneau, Twins, won the Home Run Derby, beating Texas' Josh Hamilton 5-3 in the final round.


HR DERBY RECORD

Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton hit a record 28 homers in the first round of the home run derby at Yankee Stadium on Monday night. Hamilton, who later lost to the Twins' Justin Morneau 5-3 in the final round, eclipsed the single-round mark set by Bobby Abreu in the first round at Detroit's Comerica Park in 2005. Hamilton has 21 homers this season and leads the majors with 95 RBIs.


STARTING NODS

Cleveland's Cliff Lee and Milwaukee's Ben Sheets were selected as the starting pitchers for Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. NL manager Clint Hurdle of Colorado tabbed Sheets, who is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. Several other NL All-Stars pitched Sunday, making the well-rested Sheets a logical choice. Lee was picked by Boston manager Terry Francona to start for the AL, highlighting a remarkable resurgence for the left-hander after he was demoted to the minors last year. He is 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA this season.


NO BONDS IN 2008?

Barry Bonds' agent Jeff Borris said Monday the slugger has not received a single offer and was unlikely to play in 2008. Borris dismissed recent reports of interest from Arizona, the New York Mets and Boston. "I'm an optimistic guy by nature,'' Borris said, "and I've told Barry that the prospects look bleak.'' Bonds, who turns 44 in two weeks, led the majors last season with a .480 on-base percentage. He finished the year with 762 career home runs, tops on the career list, and became a free agent when the San Francisco Giants did not bring him back.


SO LONG, RED

Red Foley, the most celebrated official scorer of his time in major league baseball, died Monday at Booth Memorial Hospital in Flushing, N.Y, according to his family attorney, Kevin Brosnahan. Foley was 79. From 1981 to 2001, Foley was an official scorer in 10 World Series, more than any other scorer in modern history. That included the Series of 1985, 1987 and 1991, which did not involve New York teams. Foley was a sports writer for the New York Daily News for 34 years before retiring in 1981. He began working as an official scorer in 1966 and continued to do so until 2002, scoring more than 3,000 games.


SURGERY

Nationals outfielder Wily Mo Pena will have surgery on his left shoulder. Pena has a small tear in his left rotator cuff and fraying of the labrum in his left shoulder. He was examined Monday by Nationals team doctor Ben Shaffer and is expected to have the operation within seven to 10 days.


STILL SIDELINED

Yankees left fielder Johnny Damon had his first hitting off a tee session pushed back at least a couple days because of soreness in his injured left shoulder. Damon, on the disabled list for the first time in his career, sprained the shoulder when he ran into the left-field fence while attempting to catch a ball on July 4.


FETCHING A HEFTY PRICE

A baseball cap worn by New York Yankees slugger Babe Ruth has been auctioned for a record $328,000 on Monday. The sweat-stained cap from around the 1920s sold at an auction of Yankees memorabilia in New York. Hunt Auctions says the cap is one of only three Yankees hats in existence worn by Ruth during games. It says a hat used by a player had never sold for more than $100,000.


SPRING MOVE

The Cincinnati Reds have finalized an agreement to move their spring training facility from Florida to Arizona in 2010. The Goodyear, Ariz., city council unanimously approved a binding agreement with the Reds on Monday night. The Reds will join the Cleveland Indians at a $108 million facility, which will include a 10,000-seat ballpark and will be the centerpiece of a $1 billion development with offices, shops and restaurants. The Indians, who previously trained in Winter Haven, Fla., will move there in February. The Reds plan to hold one more spring training in Sarasota, Fla., before joining them.


CLOSE TO COMING BACK

Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez was 1-for-4 with a run scored in a rehabilitation appearance with the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps on Monday night. He singled, reached base on a fielding error, popped out and grounded out. The Tigers say Ordonez, on the 15-day disabled list for a strained oblique muscle in his abdomen, could return when Detroit resumes play Thursday at Baltimore.


SPEAKING

"These young guys today, today they're bigger. I don't know if they're stronger. (Harmon) Killebrew, Frank Howard, (Willie) McCovey, Dick Allen, (Willie) Stargell, Rico Carty, (Mickey) Mantle, Lou Gehrig. Go back as far as you want there were some really strong people. There's no one playing today that's stronger than Jim Rice. There's no one playing today who hit the ball farther than Gorman Thomas.'' - Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, at the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium on Monday night.


SEASONS

July 15

1901 - Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants pitched the first of two career no-hitters, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0.

1969 - Cincinnati's Lee May hit four home runs in a doubleheader split with the Atlanta Braves. May had two home runs and drove in five runs in both games as the Reds lost the opener 9-8 but came back to win the second game 10-4.

1969 - Rod Carew stole home off Chicago's Gerry Nyman in the Minnesota Twins' 6-2 victory. It was Carew's seventh steal of home for the year and tied Pete Reiser's 1946 major league mark.

1973 - Nolan Ryan of the California Angels struck out 17 batters and threw his second no-hitter of the year, beating Detroit 6-0.

1980 - Johnny Bench broke Yogi Berra's record for home runs by a catcher as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Montreal Expos 12-7. Bench hit his 314th homer as a catcher off David Palmer. Bench had 33 home runs while playing other positions.

1990 - Chicago's Bobby Thigpen became quickest to reach 30 saves in a season as the White Sox beat the New York Yankees 8-5.

1997 - The San Francisco Giants scored 13 runs to set a modern NL record for runs in a seventh inning en route to a 16-2 rout of the San Diego Padres. The Giants set the NL record for the most runs in a seventh inning since 1900.

1999 - After 22 1/2 years in the dreary Kingdome, Seattle finally played a home game outdoors, moving into a $517.6 million ballpark with a retractable roof. Jose Mesa wasted a ninth-inning lead by walking four batters and the Mariners lost 3-2 to the San Diego Padres in Safeco Field's opener.

2003 - Anaheim's Garret Anderson went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and a double as the American League beat the National League in the All-Star game 7-6. Hank Blalock of Texas hit a go-ahead, two-run homer as a pinch-hitter in the eighth off Los Angeles' Eric Gagne.

2005 - Baltimore's Rafael Palmeiro became the 26th player to reach 3,000 career hits, curling an RBI double into the left-field corner off Joel Pineiro in the fifth inning of a 6-3 win over Seattle. Palmeiro joined Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers.

2006 - For the first time in nearly three decades, a full major league schedule was played without a save being recorded. There were six blown saves during 15 games, including two each in Pittsburgh's 7-6 victory over Washington, and in Cincinnati's 3-2 win against Colorado. The Nationals and Reds both won with ninth-inning rallies.

2007 - The Philadelphia Phillies lost their 10,000th game, 10-2 to St. Louis. The franchise, born in 1883 as the Philadelphia Quakers and later called the Blue Jays in the mid-1940s, fell to 8,810-10,000.

Today's birthdays: Ryan Wagner 26; Chris Denorfia 28, Miguel Olivo 30.

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Major League Baseball – Write up

MLB
Write-up


Tuesday, July 15

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-- If you insist on wagering on the All-Star Game, my only thing is that the American League is 10-0-1 the last eleven years. It is better to watch and enjoy the game, but that’s your choice.

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball – Home Run Derby

MLB





MLB – Home Run Derby


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Morneau stuns Hamilton to take Derby
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NEW YORK -- There may have been no Yankees and no Mets. No Alex Rodriguez, no Manny Ramirez, no David Ortiz and no Jason Giambi. But there certainly was a Josh Hamilton.
The second-year Rangers outfielder had a first round for the ages Monday night in the annual State Farm Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, but he lost in the final round to the Twins' Justin Morneau, who outhomered Hamilton, 5-3.

"He's the story of this year," Morneau said. "I mean, the year he's having, for him to come in and put on a show like that, it was something impressive. We were over there in awe of what he was doing. He was the one who put on the show tonight. I think everyone will remember Josh Hamilton more than they'll remember I won. I'm just glad I was a part of the whole thing."

Smacking 28 first-round homers into the far reaches of the old ballpark, which is scheduled to close at the end of the season after 85 years, Hamilton set the all-time Derby record for homers in a single round. He shattered the mark of 24 that Bobby Abreu, then of the Phillies and now of the Yankees, set in Detroit's Comerica Park three years ago, when Abreu won the contest.

Hamilton had a three-round total of 35, but it was the opening sprint that won't soon be forgotten.

Asked how it felt to experience the Derby, Hamilton said: "Think about the best environment imaginable and being in the middle of it. That's what it was like out there."

Morneau was the only repeater from last year's Derby at San Francisco's AT&T Park, won by Vladimir Guerrero of the Angels. Morneau, who was eliminated back then in the first round, had 22 homers on Monday night -- eight in the first round, nine in the second and five in the final round.

Although Morneau won, he finished in arrears of Hamilton by 13 total homers. But the format dictates that homers hit in the first two rounds are totaled, while the finalists start with a clean slate in the championship round, a fact that was material to the conclusion.

"The format is great," Morneau said. "There's nothing really that I would change. It does seem kind of unfair that he didn't get to win the whole thing with hitting the most total home runs. But at the same time, we were just going by what the rules are, and I'll definitely take it."

The Derby was played on the eve of the 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which will be televised nationally by FOX on Tuesday, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

It will also be shown live in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD, and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International.

As has become a Derby custom, each batter got 10 outs per at-bat, and after the ninth, a gold ball was put into play. Each homer hit with the gold ball garnered a $17,000 donation from State Farm and MLB to the Boys & Girls Club of America, MLB's preferred charity.

Ten gold ball shots were hit, earning $170,000 in contributions. Hamilton hit 13 consecutive shots into the seats with eight outs during his first-round run, but none when using the gold ball.

During the streak, the highly partisan Yankees crowd of 53,716 chanted "Ham-il-ton, Ham-il-ton" as the left-handed hitter lifted blasts of 502 and 518 feet. But when the run ended with a foul pop, the fans jeered, as they can do only in the Bronx.

"They weren't booing me -- they were booing the pitcher," said Hamilton, referring to 71-year-old Clay Counsil, a longtime batting-practice pitcher whom Hamilton brought with him from North Carolina. "I told him that if you throw balls, they boo you here."

Two new wrinkles were also added to the competition:

A fan participant -- Bennett Hayes of Brimfield, Ill., -- was asked to "call a shot" before the finals.

Hayes made his call to right field for Hamilton. And using a red ball, Hamilton hit a line drive down the right-field line that stayed well in the park. Ditto for Morneau, who popped out to left. Hayes would have won a car and a 2009 MLB ticket package if either of the left-handed sluggers had hit the ball in that general area.

And finally, each of the eight Derby participants was paired with a member of a local Boys & Girls Club. Compliments of State Farm, the winner of the event -- Tiffany Alvarez of the Variety Boys & Girls Club in Queens, N.Y. -- won a $50,000 contribution for a teen center at that particular club.

Hamilton so dominated the first round that the other three who qualified for the second -- Morneau, Lance Berkman and Ryan Braun -- combined to hit only 23 first-round homers.

The four eliminated -- Dan Uggla, Grady Sizemore, Chase Utley and Evan Longoria -- combined for only 20 more. Longoria, the American League All-Star Final Vote addition from the Rays, had only three homers, the fewest of the eight players competing in the event.

Berkman, participating in his fifth Derby, and Braun finished with two-round totals of 14 each before being eliminated. Berkman remained winless in his pursuit of the Home Run Derby trophy.

Aside from the string of 13 in a row, Hamilton also hit nine more on 11 swings at one point. He also hit the Bank of America sign with the white background high above the right-center-field bleachers, four into the black batter's eye in dead center, and about a half-dozen into the right-field upper deck.

The event was like living a dream come true, Hamilton said.

"I remember being in the backyard when I was a kid thinking about Yankee Stadium," said Hamilton, who has overcome serious substance abuse problems to fight back to this juncture in his career. "I used to think of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio or whoever. To be here tonight and see the way the crowd responded, seeing my family up there, being able to hear that and experience that is the best that I could ask for."


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Hamilton biggest name among first-time All-Stars
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NEW YORK (AP) - Josh Hamilton was the top pick in the 1999 draft before an addiction to drugs and alcohol knocked him out of baseball and into working construction. Simply getting back to the major leagues seemed like a long shot.

Playing in the All-Star game was the furthest thing from his mind.

Fast forward to Monday, and the Texas Rangers' slugger was in a midtown hotel ballroom, surrounded by the best players in the American League.

"It's like being a little kid in a candy store,'' Hamilton said. "You don't know which way to go and who to say 'Hey' to. I'm just very excited.''

Hamilton, who leads the majors with 95 RBIs, is one of 28 first-time All-Stars on the rosters for Tuesday night's Midsummer Classic, the most since 32 in 2003, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

None has taken a more harrowing road to Yankee Stadium.

He will start in center field and bat third in the American League's powerful lineup. His story of rehabilitation and redemption makes "The Natural'' - of course, one of Hamilton's favorite movies - seem quaint.

"It's a wonderful story,'' said Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella, one of the coaches on the NL All-Star staff. "He's a good kid who lost his way and re-found it.''

Hamilton, who hit a record 28 homers in the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday night and was runner-up to Minnesota's Justin Morneau, is one of five AL players and nine total who are starting their first All-Star game in the final year for Yankee Stadium.

The Los Angeles Angels sent two first-timers from their rotation (Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders), and newcomer Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians will start for the American League. Hamilton is one of three newcomers from Texas, with Milton Bradley and Ian Kinsler also making the trip alongside five-time All-Star Michael Young.

"If they were saying, you got an invite to the All-Star game but you've got to shine the shoes,'' Bradley said, "I'll be like, I'd be shining shoes but I'd have my foot in the door. Just wanted to be a part of the celebration.''

The National League has five first-time outfielders alone, with Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Corey Hart, Chicago's Kosuke Fukudome and two of the biggest surprises of the first half - Pittsburgh's Nate McLouth and Ryan Ludwick of St. Louis.

Two of the newcomers were even traded for each other in the offseason: The Rangers sent Edinson Volquez to Cincinnati for Hamilton.

"There's an influx of great young talent in the game. Some of them are going to get even better before they drop off,'' said Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, himself back in the All-Star game for the first time since 2001.

"I think the days, at least in the National League, of the 38-year-old All-Stars are coming to an end.''

None of the newcomers are younger than 22-year-old Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who started this season in the minors and won the Internet balloting for the final spot on the AL team. He was planning to go to Las Vegas with some buddies over the break but was happy to change his travel plans.

"I try to look down the road and see myself where I want to be,'' Longoria said, "and I mean the All-Star game was definitely not something that I foresaw in my future. Maybe putting up good numbers or having a good season, but this has definitely exceeded all of my expectations.''

Some of the newcomers did some research to prepare for the All-Star festivities. Braun quizzed Ken Griffey Jr. when the Cincinnati Reds were in Milwaukee over the weekend. Giants closer Brian Wilson said teammates Rich Aurilia and Randy Winn told him he needed a dozen baseballs, a bat and an extra batting practice jersey for the autograph room.

"Done,'' Wilson said.

Ludwick traveled to New York with Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols and was planning on following the seven-time All-Star's every move.

"I'm pretty much holding his hand around this whole deal,'' Ludwick said with a grin.


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Hamilton hits record 28 HRs in Derby's first round
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NEW YORK (AP) -Fans at Yankee Stadium were chanting Josh Hamilton's name and the theme music from "Rocky'' was blaring over the loudspeakers.

Alas, the Texas Rangers' comeback kid had nothing left.

Hamilton hit a record 28 homers in the first round of the All-Star Home Run Derby before running out of gas and getting beaten by Minnesota's Justin Morneau in the finals Monday night.

The 2006 AL MVP topped a tired Hamilton 5-3 in the last round, giving him the derby crown. But the night belonged to Hamilton, a first-time All-Star who put on a dazzling power display worthy of The House That Ruth Built.

"It'll be like 2:30 before I go to sleep,'' he said. "I hardly ever watch myself on TV, but I may look at some of it.''

Back from eight trips to rehab for drug and alcohol addiction that derailed his career, Hamilton broke Bobby Abreu's mark for one round. Abreu hit 24 home runs in the first round in 2005 at Detroit's Comerica Park.

Hamilton's incredible tale of redemption has made national news this season, and he retold a story Monday afternoon about a vivid dream he had two years ago - he was being interviewed at Yankee Stadium after participating in the Home Run Derby.

"I can say it was a coincidence, but I don't believe in those,'' he said.

Mind you, his dream came while Hamilton was still banned from Major League Baseball, and before this year's All-Star game was awarded to the venerable ballpark in its final season.

"Obviously, the dream, I didn't know how many I would hit,'' Hamilton said in a TV interview after his huge first-round performance. "I just feel blessed to have played here.''

With the crowd of 53,716 firmly behind him, undoubtedly warmed by his improbable journey to stardom, Hamilton connected on 13 consecutive cuts before falling short of the fences on his final two in the first round.

"I got chills,'' he said.

Hamilton was drafted No. 1 overall by Tampa Bay out of high school in 1999, with some veteran scouts calling him the best prospect they'd ever seen. He finally reached the majors last year with Cincinnati, then was traded in the offseason for All-Star Edinson Volquez and another pitcher in a deal that has paid off immensely for both teams.

With his smooth left-handed swing and jaw-dropping power, Hamilton seemed a natural choice to take advantage of Yankee Stadium's short right-field porch. But he cleared the deepest fences with ease, hitting three shots farther than 500 feet - including his longest estimated at 518.

"Really? Holy cow,'' said Hamilton, who has 21 homers this season and leads the majors with 95 RBIs.

That was the third-longest drive in the 19-year history of the derby, behind Sammy Sosa's 524-foot homer in 2002 at Miller Park in Milwaukee and Frank Thomas' 519-footer in 1994 at old Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.

"We were over there in awe of what he was doing,'' Morneau said.

Hamilton's first-round homers totaled 12,458 feet, an average of 445 each. He nearly had another one, but it was waved off because a fan reached over the fence to catch it.

"They should have juiced the ball up. I'd have hit the subway,'' Hamilton said.

His 28 homers in the first round were the second-highest total for an entire derby, behind Abreu's 41 for Philadelphia in 2005.

Signing autographs for players' young kids between swings, Hamilton stepped out of the batter's box for a few deep breaths and received high fives from his Texas teammates on the AL All-Star squad. Milton Bradley even strolled to the plate to wipe off Hamilton's forehead with a towel.

"We were sitting there saying to each other, `How do you follow that?''' Morneau said. "I'm glad I didn't hit right after him, that's for sure.''

After his first round ended, Hamilton was engulfed with hugs and congratulations from All-Stars on both sides.

His batting practice pitcher also was quite a story. Hamilton chose a 71-year-old volunteer coach who often threw BP to him when he was a teenager in North Carolina.

Hamilton totaled 35 homers (on 59 swings) to Morneau's 22 (on 52 cuts). The Texas outfielder stopped after making only four outs in the second round because he was already assured a spot in the finals. Contestants get 10 outs in each round.

"I couldn't ask for anything else,'' Hamilton said. "You don't feel tired, but obviously you're a little tired.''

When it was over, Morneau was left practically apologizing for beating Hamilton.

"He was the one that put on the show,'' he said. "I'm just glad I was a part of the whole thing.

"It does seem kind of unfair that he didn't get to win the whole thing,'' Morneau added. "Anyone who was here won't forget that performance.''

Nobody has ever hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium, but some of baseball's elite boppers took aim at Monument Park and the ballpark's vast upper deck Monday night.

One of Hamilton's 500-foot drives hit a wall behind the right-field bleachers, drawing a roar from the delirious crowd.

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball – All-Star Preview

MLB

Tuesday, July 15

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MLB – All Star Preview
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Lawence’s MLB All-Star weekend betting preview

When Yankee Stadium plays host to the 2008 MLB All-Star Game in the Bronx this Tuesday it will not only will the pride of the Yankees be on the line but also an 11-game unbeaten streak for the American League as well.

And should the A.L. continue its mastery of the N.L. they will earn home field advantage in the 2008 World Series, once again lending legitimacy to this year’s contest.

Let’s take a visit back in All-Star history and see if we can’t recall some of the more memorable moments in this classic event.

The tradition of the All-Star Game carries back to 1933, its inaugural campaign. While it was Ted Williams’ contention that the “All-Star Game was invented for Willie Mays,” the truth of the matter is it was more likely designed to showcase the talents of legendary Babe Ruth.

"We wanted to see the Babe. Sure, he was old and had a big waistline, but that didn't make any difference. We were on the same field as Babe Ruth," exclaimed Wild Bill Hallahan, the N.L. starter in the 1933 classic.

LET THE STREAKS BEGIN
When the American League defeated the National League, 4-2, at Comiskey Park in Chicago in the inaugural game in 1933 it was the start of a 12-4 series edge for the Junior Circuit. It wasn’t until 1950 when the Senior Circuit finally put a halt to the A.L’s dominance when they went on to win 7 of the next 8 All-Star games.

The two leagues basically traded wins from 1957-62 with the American League holding a slight 5-4-1 series advantage. That, however, is when things got interesting.

From 1963-1987 the National League beat the American League like a red-headed stepchild when it laid a 22-2 series pounding on the Juniors, winning 11 in a row at one point from 1972-1983.

The A.L finally countered from 1988-93, when the captured six All-Star win a row, only to the see the N.L. win three straight from 1994-96.

Since then, however, it’s been all American as the Junior Circuit takes the aforementioned 10-0-1 streak into battle this year.

ALL-STAR SCORING
Scoring the All-Star game has been fairly stable, with an upturn in run production of late. Here are the combined scoring averages of RPG (Runs Per Game) played each decade:

1930s – 7.9 RPG with two double-digit games
1940s – 9.0 RPG with three double-digit games
1950s – 9.5 RPG with five double-digit games
1960s – 7.0 RPG with four double-digit games
1970s – 9.5 RPG with four double-digit games
1980s – 6.5 RPG with one double-digit game
1990s – 9.5 RPG with four double-digit games
2000s – 10.0 RPG with four double-digit games

As you can see the ‘60s and ‘80s were low scoring decades. The bottom line, though, is this: in the history of the All-Star Game there have been 29 games that have played to a combined total of 10 or more runs while 51 games have played to a combined total of 9 or less runs.

RECORD SETTERS
A stroll down memory lane finds the following All-Star record holders:

Hitters –
Most At Bats – Willie Mays (75)
Best Batting Average – Derek Jeter (.700)
Most Home Runs – Stan Musial (6)
Most RBIs – Ted Williams (12)
Best Slugging Percentage – Steve Garvey (.821)
Most Strikeouts – Mickey Mantle (17)

Pitchers –
Most Wins – Lefty Gomez (3)
Most Appearances – Roger Clemens (9)
Most Innings Pitched – Don Drysdale (19.3)
Most Strikeouts – Don Drysdale (19)
Most Walks – Jim Palmer (7)
Most Runs Allowed – Whitey Ford (13)

- - - -

There you have it. A brief overview on the American Classic, the MLB All-Star Game. In closing, my favorite quote from Hall of Famer Lefty Grove, holder of career All-Star pitching records for games started and games won. Grove put it best when he said, “"The secret of my success was clean living and a fast moving outfield."

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball – All-Star Betting Breakdown

MLB


Tuesday, July 15

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All-Star Betting Breakdown
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M. O’Shea

Major League Baseball has one helluva long season; we’ve seen teams play somewhere in the neighborhood of 90-something games and we’re only at the All-Star break!

While a majority of players will have Monday to Wednesday off, the few, the proud will descend upon Yankee Stadium in the Bronx for the 79th Midsummer Classic, MLB’s All-Star game.

Let’s take a look at both the National League and home side American League.

Although the NL has the longest winning streak in All-Star game history, with 11-straight victories extending from 1972-1982, the AL is currently on a hot streak of its own, boasting an 11-game unbeaten streak, which includes a controversial 7-7 tie in 2002.

NL and Colorado Rockies’ manager Clint Hurdle will have a number of fireballers to choose from, including current MLB win leader and Arizona Diamondback starter, Brandon Webb (13 wins).

The D-backs hit the ground running grabbing nine straight wins in Webb’s first nine starts of this season but he seems to have bottomed out a bit.

In his last 10 starts, Webb has gone 5-5, although Arizona has gone 3-0 in his last three starts and his last start at Yankee Stadium resulted in a 4-1 loss.

Another arm that Hurdle can rely on at the All-Star game is someone whom he is quite familiar with, the Rockies’ Aaron Cook.

The righty has lived up to his last name when he starts this season as Colorado is 12-7 this year when Cook takes the mound and in fact, the Rockies have taken a majority of Unders in the same situation, going 7-11-1 on the Over/Under this season.

The NL rotation also features a number of Cubs—seven Cubs were named to the NL All-Star team overall—including 10 game winner Ryan Dempster.

Dempster worked his way back into the starting rotation after a long stint coming out of the Bullpen and the Cubs have gone 14-5 in his starts this season.

Like Webb, Dempster’s last outing in the Bronx resulted in a loss (6-2) but that was all the way back in 2000.

Boston Red Sox and AL manager Terry Francona will also have some talented pitchers to choose from, this is the All-Star game after all.

Making his first appearance in an All-Star game, the L.A. Angels’ Joe Saunders, who just happens to be the AL’s win leader with 12, started the season off on fire as the Angels went 7-0 in his first seven starts but, like Webb, has leveled off.

After the seven game hot streak, the Angels have gone 6-5 in Saunders’ subsequent starts and in his last 20 starts he has gone 8-11-1 on the Over/Under.

Saunders last game in the Bronx was a 7-4 win.

Unlike Saunders, the Toronto Blue Jays’ Roy Halladay is a veteran of the All-Star game with five appearances under his belt.

This season Halladay has gone 10-8 but has been more profitable as of late as the Jays have gone 7-3 in his last 10.

A seasoned veteran of the AL East, the same division the Yankees play in, Halladay has played many games in the Bronx and has a 9-6 record at Yankee Stadium.

Enjoy the upcoming All-Star game.

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball – Break from the Games

MLB


Tuesday, July 15

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MLB – Break from the Games
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R. Ross

There have been 78 All-Star Games since the Summer Classic was first held in 1933. The series is now dead-even at 38 wins apiece and two ties thanks to the A.L.'s 5-4 win last year at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco. It was the 10th win in a row for the Junior Circuit. The streak includes a 3-2 2006 win at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, a 7-5 win in Detroit in 2005 and a 9-4 win in Houston in 2004.

The last time the A.L. did not win was the 2002 game that was called a 7-7 tie after 11 innings when both clubs ran out of pitchers and players. Joe Torre was the mis-manager in that one for the A.L. and I don't recall who the N.L. guy was. The other tie came in the second game in 1961 that was also halted by an act of God (rain) rather than by an act of Bud. The score was 1-1 after nine innings when that one was halted.

And, yes, it was the second All-Star Game of that year. In the years 1959-62 there were two All-Star Games held each year; one in a National League park and one in an American League park. In 1963 that experiment was discontinued and Major League baseball went back to one All-Star Game per season. Too bad. Maybe they should play two, as Ernie Banks would say. I'm already on record as saying the ASG should go to 40-man rosters like they do during September call-up time so that no player will be left (behind) off the team and we can end all the squabbling over who should be on the team, who got snubbed, etc.

1961 was also the year that the National League began a tear that saw them win 19 of the next 20 All-Star Games. In fact, the history of the All-Star Game has been one of streaks or of dominance by one league or the other.

First it was the American League; winners of 12 of the first 16 All-Star Games from 1933-1949. The National League then made a comeback and won 6-of-7 from 1950-56. Then it was the American League winning five-of-six from 1957 through the second game in 1960.

The 20-year dominance of the National League from 1963-82 has already been mentioned; if not for a 6-4 loss in the 1971 All-Star Game the National League would have won 20 in a row! The American League finally broke through with a win in 1983, the National League won three of the next four, and then the AL won six straight from 1988-93. The National League then won three in a row but that was snapped by the AL's win at Jacobs Field in Cleveland 1997. The AL's streak, as mentioned, is now 10.

Thus playing the winner of the All-Star Game to win again the next game (in most cases the following year but not so in the All-Star Game "double-header" years) would have resulted in a record of 49 wins and 26 losses: 65.3% winners!

In addition, playing teams (or leagues) on streaks in the All-Star Game has been a wise move; leagues with two straight wins in the All-Star Game are 9-4 in the third game (69.2%), leagues with three straight wins are 6-3 (66.7%) in Game Four, and leagues with four straight wins are 4-2 (66.7%) in Game Five.

Most handicappers, to be sure, will give more weight to the rosters and pitching staffs but the history of the game can't be overlooked. Home field has meant a little something in the All-Star Game. Home teams are 44-32-2 (57.9%) for a record nearly comparable to our playing the team that won last year to win again this year angle above. In addition, if recent inter-league results are any indication the AL looks to be the stronger league. The NL might be at some slight disadvantage in having more teams (16-to-14) and having to take a player from every team: might the manager then have to take a player from team 15 or 16 that he might not ordinarily choose and leave out a better or more situational player (a left-handed pitcher or bat, say) from a better team? There is some slim chance that might happen.

Also note that All-Star teams coming off a win and playing at home (a home league field) are 26-8 (76.4%) while, conversely, teams coming off a loss and going out on the road are 8-26 (23.6%). For future reference, teams coming off a win and playing on the road are 25-16 (60.9%) the following season while those coming off a loss and playing at home are 16-25 (39.1%).

As for the total on the game again a look at past history might be enlightening. The following chart shows the number of runs scored in each game of All-Star Game history, sans one. The 1952 All-Star Game was called by rain after five innings and so would not have been official for wagering purposes.

All Star Scoring History

# of Runs # of Occurrences
........1.............1
........2.............2
........3.............4
........4.............6
........5.............8
........6.............6
........7.............6
........8.............8
........9.............8
.......10............3
.......11............6
.......12............6
.......13............3
.......14............1
.......15............1
.......16............2
.......17............0
.......18............1
.......19............1
.......20............1
.......21............1

The total number of runs scored in the 77 All-Star Games listed above is 656; a mean (or average) of 8.5 runs per game. The median score in the All-Star Game is 8; half the time teams have scored 8 runs or less, half the time they have scored 8 runs or more. Notice that is 8 runs or more, not 9; the number of times the teams have scored eight runs in the All-Star Game (eight) caused the median to fall within that grouping.

To put it another way, 42 times the All-Star Game has seen eight runs or fewer scored while 35 times there have been nine runs or more. The most frequent outcomes have been eight and nine runs scored with eight occurrences apiece.

If the total comes in at 9 anyone wishing to win an over play will need 10 runs or more to be scored; that has happened 27 times in the 77 All-Star games above or 35% of the time.

And a final word about extra inning games. There have been 10 in All-Star Game history with the home team holding a 6-3-1 edge. The National League is undefeated in extra-inning All-Star Games; 9-0-1!

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball – All-Star Game, Starting Pitchers

MLB


Tuesday, July 15

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All-Star Game – Starting Pitchers
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Cliff Lee, Ben Sheets to start All-Star game

NEW YORK (AP) -Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets were picked as the starting pitchers for Tuesday night's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium. Oddsmakers have the AL listed as a -140 favorite with the total set at 10 runs.

Lee is 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA, a remarkable resurgence after the left-hander was demoted to the minors last season. He was chosen by American League manager Terry Francona of Boston.

''I'm just honored to be here, to be honest with you,'' Lee said Monday. ''To get the start is just icing on the cake. ... I'm kind of awe-struck by it.''

NL manager Clint Hurdle of Colorado tabbed Sheets, who is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. Several other National League All-Stars pitched Sunday, making the well-rested Sheets a logical choice.

''I've never been to Yankee Stadium so I'm going to try to take it all in and just enjoy myself,'' Sheets said.

Both managers announced their lineups Monday in the same Manhattan ballroom where the Mitchell Report on drugs in baseball was released seven months before.

Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki will bat leadoff for the AL, followed by Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Texas center fielder Josh Hamilton, New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez, Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez, Rangers designated hitter Milton Bradley, Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis, Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer and Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

Francona kept more than numbers in mind when putting together his batting order.

''To me, Derek Jeter deserves to hit second in a lineup like this, especially in this place,'' he said.

The manager also acknowledged he thought about whether to honor Yankees closer Mariano Rivera with the start in his home ballpark - but only because Francona was asked about it by reporters.

''Mariano Rivera may be the greatest reliever of all-time, but he's not a starter,'' Francona said. ''We will treat every player in this game with a lot of respect, certainly knowing that there are Yankees in this game - but other than that I think doing it correctly.''

Francona wouldn't commit to calling on Rivera to close out a ninth-inning lead, saying he didn't want to divulge his plans.

''I'm going to stick my neck out and say we'll prepare from him,'' Hurdle said.

Hurdle put Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez at the top of his order, followed by Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, Houston first baseman Lance Berkman, St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols at designated hitter, Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones, Colorado's Matt Holliday in right field, Milwaukee left fielder Ryan Braun, Chicago's Kosuke Fukudome in center and Cubs rookie catcher Geovany Soto.

''That's the best lineup I've ever written on paper. We'll see where it takes us,'' Hurdle said.

Sheets is set to become the first Brewers pitcher to start an All-Star game - three days before his 30th birthday. His most recent outing was last Wednesday, when he struck out 11 batters in six innings of a loss to the Rockies.

''Caught my eye,'' Hurdle said with a smile. ''I'm kind of smart like that.''

Hurdle said he looked closest at the All-Star pitchers who were voted in by players when he was deciding which one would get the start.

That group included Sheets, Chicago's Ryan Dempster, San Francisco's Tim Lincecum, Cincinnati's Edinson Volquez and Arizona's Brandon Webb. Dempster, Lincecum and Webb all started Sunday, while Volquez earned his 12th win Saturday.

Sheets' All-Star bonus doubled to $50,000 for being selected as the starting pitcher.

The 29-year-old Lee compiled a 0.67 ERA during his first seven starts. He was 18-5 in 2005 but went 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA last year, when he was optioned to the minors for more than a month.

''There's a lot of pitchers having outstanding years,'' Francona said, ''and none measured up to Cliff.''

The last Indians pitcher to start an All-Star game was Charles Nagy in 1996 at Philadelphia - the last time the National League won.

''We will attempt and make every effort to put a foot down and stop this slide,'' Hurdle said. ''We're not going to play for a tie.''

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[pm530]

Major League Baseball – All-Star Line -- A.L. favored

MLB


Tuesday, July 15

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All-Star Game – American League Favored
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American League favored to continue dominance
P. Wells

The American League have owned their National League counterparts in Major League Baseball's version of the All-Star game, racking up ten wins and a tie over the past 11 summers. The American League will have home-field advantage this year at Yankee Stadium, which will be the fourth and final All-Star event to take place at the legendary stadium.

National League at American League – 8:00 PM ET

Milwaukee's Ben Sheets(10-3, 2.85) earned the nod over San Francisco's Tim Lincecumand Arizona's Brandon Webb, despite losing two of his final three starts before the break. However, that does not take the shine off of what has been a brilliant season for the oft-injured 29-year-old righthander, and many are waiting to see if he can stay healthy enough over the second half of the season as he forms an awesome one-two punch with the newly-acquired C.C. Sabathia in the Milwaukee rotation. Sheets' three complete games leads the National League, and he is sixth in the league in ERA.

Cleveland's Cliff Lee (12-2, 2.31) has been unstoppable this season, fighting off Toronto's Roy Halladay the starting spot. Lee, a 29-year-old southpaw, could be on his way to passing his great 2005 season when he racked up an 18-5 record. Ironically, Sabathia will play a role in Lee's second half as well, as the reigning Cy Young winner's move to Milwaukee makes Lee the unquestioned ace of the Cleveland staff. Lee's statistics this season have been almost unreal, as he is tied for first in wins with the Angels' Joe Saundersand second in ERA.

The American League are -140 favorites to take this contest, set against the backdrop of one of the most loved stadiums in all of sports. There may be more good pitchers in this game than at any point in recent history, so fans should not expect a shootout. The National League leads the overall series 40-36-2, but the American League's dominance over the past decade puts another spin on the always-interesting “Midsummer Classic”.

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[pm530]

All-Star Game – Red Sox & Cubs

MLB


Tuesday, July 15

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Bosox, Cubs turn All-Star game into private party
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NEW YORK (AP) - Lou Piniella settled into the same seat David Ortiz occupied an hour earlier, ready to hold court.

No place for anyone else in this corner of a hotel ballroom on All-Star media day. Sort of like the game itself - there's a bunch of Boston Red Sox, a cluster of Chicago Cubs, and a few stragglers.

Seems that way, anyhow.

"You feel kind of bad. There are some guys here who don't have any teammates here,'' Cubs closer Kerry Wood said, glancing in the direction of Pittsburgh outfielder Nate McLouth. "I have seven of them.''

A National League record-tying eight Cubs players will be at Yankee Stadium for Tuesday night's game. Add in their manager, with Piniella serving as an NL coach.

Ortiz was among seven Red Sox players on the AL side. Throw in AL manager Terry Francona and a half-dozen Boston coaches.

"We're honored, as a staff and as the players, to represent not only the Red Sox but the American League,'' Francona said.

At this rate, maybe the Cubs and Red Sox should just hold their own game. They're tied, along with the Los Angeles Angels, for the most wins in the majors.

There are other links between them, too.

"Two lovable franchises that have been around a long time. Two old ballparks. A big fan base that follows them around. Really, there are a lot similarities between us,'' Piniella said.

"There's only one thing that's not similar: They've won a couple of championships in the last few years and we're still searching,'' he said.

They haven't seen each other much, either.

Since the advent of interleague play 10 years ago, they've met for only one series, in 2005 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs haven't visited Fenway Park since Babe Ruth and Boston beat them in the 1918 World Series.

"That's a place I'd like to see,'' Wood said. "I'm not sure how they set up the interleague schedules, but maybe they could flip-flop so we got to go there. It'd be huge, us and the Red Sox.''

The Red Sox drew a rough reception when they took batting practice Monday night. Boston's J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek and Dustin Pedroia heard plenty of boos from the rival Yankees fans. So did the Red Sox mascot.

Mostly what they expected.

"I don't think it's going to be real positive,'' Drew predicted earlier.

Making themselves at home in the Yankees' home clubhouse, that was the odd part for the Bosox.

Ortiz moved into Jorge Posada's locker, Varitek got Kyle Farnsworth's cubicle, Jonathan Papelbon took over Brian Bruney's space and Dustin Pedroia dressed in Wilson Betemit's spot.

Manny Ramirez? He got the locker used by former Yankees batting practice pitcher Charlie Wonsowicz, now the team's director of video operations.

While Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis predicted it would be weird walking into the Yankees turf, Varitek said it wasn't so strange.

"I think it would be different if it were a clubhouse full of Yankees,'' Varitek said. "It was really nice.''

Ortiz will merely be a spectator come gametime. The big DH is out with a bad wrist, even though he connected for eight straight home runs during BP on Monday night.

Wood and Chicago teammate Alfonso Soriano also are sidelined with injuries. That still leaves lots of room for other Cubs - outfielder Kosuke Fukudome and catcher Geovany Soto will start, and the NL roster includes pitchers Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Carlos Marmol and third baseman Aramis Ramirez.

The 1958 New York Yankees hold the All-Star record with nine representatives.

Without much crossover between the teams, Wood said he didn't know any of the Red Sox very well. He'd like a chance to see that classic "B'' hat again - in person, in October.

Same for Piniella.

"It'd really be something,'' he said. "But it'd be great to get to the World Series against anyone.''

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