Tuesday Trends and Indexes 7/14 (WNBA, MLB ALL-STAR GAME, Misc.)

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Trends and Indexes

Tuesday, July 14

Good Luck on day #195 of 2009!

At this time the sports menu in this thread consists of the MLB, WNBA and CFL until their seasons are played out. Also, general sports news and notes will be posted here.

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.
Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the posting member or BettorsChat.
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Daily Sports Roundup

Tuesday, July 14

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The best players from both leagues take the diamond in Major League Baseball's All-Star Game at St. Louis' Busch Stadium.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The National League will try yet again to pick up an All-Star Game victory on Tuesday night when they host their American League counterparts in St. Louis. The Junior Circuit pulled out a 4-3 win in 15 innings at Yankee Stadium in the All-Star Game last year; the last time the NL managed to beat the AL was way back in 1996. That makes the AL 11-0 (with one tie in 2002) over the last 12 seasons.

Voted as starters for the National League All-Star squad this year: C Yadier Molina, 1B Albert Pujols, 2B Chase Utley, SS Hanley Ramirez, 3B David Wright, OF Raul Ibanez, OF Ryan Braun, and OF Carlos Beltran. Over in the American League the fans voted in C Joe Mauer, 1B Mark Teixeira, 2B Dustin Pedroia, SS Derek Jeter, 3B Evan Longoria, OF Jason Bay, OF Josh Hamilton, and OF Ichiro Suzuki to the starting lineup. Beltran and Pedroia will both be skipping the game.

Getting the ball for the American League to start on Tuesday night will be Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay; the righthander enters the break at 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA, giving up three or fewer earned runs in eight of his past 10 starts. Halladay was tagged for a loss by the Rays last time out, allowing three runs and fanning eight in seven innings. Starting for the NL will be the Giants' Tim Lincecum; the righthander is 10-2 with a 2.33 ERA on the year and has won four straight starts.

Despite playing as the road team the American League was opened by the oddsmakers has -115 favorites for Tuesday night. The total for the game is 9.5.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

As well, there's a single WNBA game on the schedule for Tuesday night, with Los Angeles on the road to take on Connecticut. The Sparks are looking to bounce back from a 75-63 loss to Washington on Saturday; Lisa Leslie missed that game with her sprained knee, while Candace Parker was held to just two points. The Sun were edged 79-77 by Detroit on Saturday; Connecticut played without Tamika Whitmore in that matchup, as she's day-to-day with a calf injury.

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WNBA
Matchup link

WNBA Matchups

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WNBA
Dunkel


Los Angeles at Connecticut
The Sparks look to rebound from their 75-63 loss in Washington and build on their 9-4 ATS record in their last 13 games following a SU loss. Los Angeles is the pick (+4) according to Dunkel, which has Connecticut favored by just 1. Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+4). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, JULY 14

Game 651-652: Los Angeles at Connecticut
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 111.531; Connecticut 112.682
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 1; 141 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 4; 140
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+4); Over

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WNBA
Long Sheet

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Tuesday, July 14
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LOS ANGELES (4 - 7) at CONNECTICUT (5 - 6) - 7/14/2009, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 8-22 ATS (-16.2 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 3-1 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 2-2 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Tuesday, July 14

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Lady Luck: Today's WNBA best bet
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Los Angeles Sparks at Connecticut Sun (-4, 141)

It's hard to find a better 1-2 punch in the WNBA than Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie. The Los Angeles Sparks have been looking for it all season.

Parker, the league's Rookie of the Year and MVP last year, began the season on the sidelines following the birth of her first child May 13. She made her season debut July 5 but is averaging just over five points per game.

By that time, Leslie - who announced that this would be her final season - already had missed three games with a knee injury that is forcing her to skip the Sparks' current road trip.

After combining for better than 33 points and 18 rebounds and carring the Sparks within a basket of the WNBA Finals a year ago, the towering duo has yet to play a minute together all season. As a result, Los Angeles is next-to-last in offense with 71.4 points per game.

The Sparks are averaging just 66.9 points in road games, where they are 1-6 straight up and 2-5 against the spread.

Pick: Connecticut

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Six-pack for Tuesday

-- Just like its tough to be a comedian when everyone expects you to be funny, think its tougher than we think to hit home runs when we're watching, expecting guys to crush the ball. Its part of what makes the Home Run Derby strangely entertaining.

-- Think they should introduce the batting practice pitchers before the event too; they have a big job, would be cool to know who they are.

-- Can someone refresh my memory on this? I'm thinking the first HR Derby had guys using aluminum bats-- seem to me I remember Willie Stargell blasting balls all over the park. Anyone help me on this?

-- Have to feel bad for Brandon Inge, who got blanked in the Derby.

-- Any event broadcast by both Chris Berman, Joe Morgan should have to be played constantly to prisoners on Death Row, just to make sure they get properly punished for their crimes.

-- Best part of HR Derby is seeing non-participants out there, rooting for their teammates. Its a big part of what makes sports great.

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Tuesday's List of 13: Our survey on your favorite vacation place

Every year during the All-Star break, we survey our readers; this year, we asked what was their favorite place to go on vacation.........

-- DMack-- Rio de Janeiro: Beaches, red drinks with umbrellas, and girls girls girls !!!

-- Glenn G-- Tahiti..Clear blue ocean and it is so distant to get to…..an 18-hour plane ride probably.

-- Joe D-- Oahu, Hawaii. Diamond Head, North Shore, Waikiki Beach. Great weather, friendly people, lot to see and do.

-- Rotterdam Rox—Lake Placid (summer). Stay at Mirror Lake Inn, walk around the village, have a few drinks, very relaxing.

-- Professor—Washington DC-- Tremendous place for sightseeing and connecting with history.

-- Janey B—Anywhere warm in the middle of February, because I live in Maine, and its never, ever warm here in the middle of February.

-- Wise Friend Brian-- Italy. We went to Rome, then Tuscany, which might be close to what heaven looks like. Great meals every night, just a beautiful country.

-- Tolleytown— Alaska. It’s a good place to get back to nature.

-- Isa’s Girl—Jamaica. Hot weather and even hotter men.

-- Anonymous-- Either my mother's house, where I get free food, or the Bahamas, which is an attractive but expensive second choice.

-- Prime Time Pete-- Disney World-- There's a lot to do there for adults too; Disney World isn't just for kids.

-- Jeff the Lawyer-- Hilton Head, SC. If you love to golf, its the place to go on vacation. You can play a different course every day........

-- Sultry Shawn-- No doubt it is Cancun. Great views, great weather, a lot of parties to go to, and you can go walking on the beach!!!!!

From: Armadillo
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2009 All-Star Game Rosters

American League

Catcher
Joe Mauer, Twins
Victor Martinez, Indians

Infield
1B Mark Teixeira, Yankees
1B Justin Morneau, Twins
1B Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
2B Aaron Hill, Blue Jays
SS Derek Jeter, Yankees
SS Jason Bartlett, Rays
3B Evan Longoria, Rays
3B Michael Young, Rangers
3B Brandon Inge, Tigers (Final Vote winner)

Outfield
Jason Bay, Red Sox
Josh Hamilton, Rangers
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
Carl Crawford, Rays
Curtis Granderson, Tigers
Torii Hunter, Angels
Adam Jones, Orioles
Ben Zobrist, Rays

Pitcher
Andrew Bailey, Athletics
Josh Beckett, Red Sox
Mark Buehrle, White Sox
Brian Fuentes, Angels
Zach Greinke, Royals
Roy Halladay, Blue Jays
Felix Hernandez, Mariners
Edwin Jackson, Tigers
Joe Nathan, Twins
Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox
Mariano Rivera, Yankees
Justin Verlander, Tigers
Tim Wakefield, Red Sox

National League

Catcher
Yadier Molina, Cardinals
Brian McCann, Braves

Infield
1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals ²
1B Prince Fielder, Brewers ²
1B Adrian Gonzalez, Padres ²
1B Ryan Howard, Phillies ²
2B Chase Utley, Phillies
2B Orlando Hudson, Dodgers
2B Freddy Sanchez, Pirates
SS Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
SS Miguel Tejada, Astros
3B David Wright, Mets
3B Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals

Outfield
Ryan Braun, Brewers
Raul Ibanez, Phillies
Carlos Beltran, Mets ¹
Brad Hawpe, Rockies
Hunter Pence, Astros
Justin Upton, Diamondbacks
Shane Victorino, Phillies (Final Vote Winner)
Jayson Werth, Phillies (Replaces Beltran)

Pitcher
Heath Bell, Padres
Chad Billingsley, Dodgers
Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers
Matt Cain, Giants
Francisco Cordero, Reds
Ryan Franklin, Cardinals
Dan Haren, Diamondbacks
Josh Johnson, Marlins
Ted Lilly, Cubs
Tim Lincecum, Giants
Jason Marquis, Rockies
Francisco Rodriguez, Mets
Johan Santana, Mets

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Batting order edge goes to AL in All-Star Game
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The American League has more power and a bit better balance in its lineup for Tuesday's All-Star Game - at least for the first three or four innings.

After that, who knows? Last year's game went a record 15 innings and nearly saw position players take the mound.

The AL has three lefthanded hitters and switch-hitter Mark Teixeira among its starters, and manager Joe Maddon has tried to break things up as much as he can. Derek Jeter - an excellent hit-and-run player - is hitting second between lefties Ichiro Suzuki and Joe Mauer, and Josh Hamilton is hitting sixth between righthanders Jason Bay and Evan Longoria.

Toronto's Aaron Hill is starting at second base in place of Boston's Dustin Pedroia, who is skipping the game as his wife deals with pregnancy complications. Batting eighth, Hill is a power upgrade over the reigning AL MVP; his 20 homers are four more than the NL's 6-7-8 hitters combined.

Longoria may get just one at-bat due to a finger infection. The AL has Michael Young and Brandon Inge as reserve third basemen. Keep an eye on Inge, who homered twice Sunday and is in Monday's Home Run Derby.

One of the AL's slugging first basemen - Justin Morneau, Carlos Pena or Kevin Youkilis - may hit for starting pitcher Roy Halladay. If National League righthanded starter Tim Lincecum is still in the game, it won't be Youkilis.

The NL has two lefties and switch-hitter Shane Victorino in its starting lineup and is broken up pretty nicely by manager Charlie Manuel, although righty sluggers Albert Pujols and Ryan Braun are hitting 3-4.

The bottom of the NL's lineup has little pop, with David Wright (five homers), Victorino (six) and Yadier Molina (five) preceding the pitcher's spot. If Halladay is still on the mound, you may see Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard pinch-hit as the NL also has a glut of power-hitting first basemen.

That also may be a problem. Most of the NL's reserve power comes from its first basemen, a group that includes Adrian Gonzalez. Because they all play the same position, their total at-bats will be limited. Compounding matters is that the fans at Busch Stadium may want to see Pujols get a third at-bat. If the AL's early pitching is strong, that may not be until the fifth inning.

Even though Molina is hitting eighth and is considered a defensive player, he may get three at-bats because the only other NL catcher is Atlanta's Bob McCann. The memory of last year's game could have Manuel and Maddon using reserves judiciously.

After the starting pitchers are done, you likely will see Zack Greinke, Tim Wakefield or Edwin Jackson for the AL, with Felix Hernandez a possibility. For the NL, look for Dan Haren and Zach Duke, with Johan Santana and Ted Lilly also in the mix.

You almost certainly will not see Josh Beckett, Mark Buehrle and Justin Verlander for the AL and Josh Johnson and Jason Marquis for the NL. All five starters pitched Sunday.

All the closers should be available for at least an inning due to the day off before and after the game. Don't be surprised to see some of them used as set-up men. If the NL needs to protect a lead in the ninth, Manuel probably will use his own Francisco Rodriguez rather than hometown favorite Ryan Franklin.

All signs point to the AL extending its unbeaten streak at the Midsummer classic to 13 years.

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All-Star Game Results and MVPs
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Year, Result, Site, MVP, Team

2008 AL 4-3, 15 inn. Yankee Stadium, New York J.D. Drew, Red Sox

2007 AL 5- 4 AT&T Park, San Francisco Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners

2006 AL 3-2 PNC Park, Pittsburgh Michael Young, Texas

2005 AL, 7-5 Comerica Park, Detroit Miguel Tejada, Baltimore

2004 AL, 9-4 Minute Maid Park, Houston Alfonso Soriano, Texas

2003 AL, 7-6 U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago Garrett Anderson, Anaheim

2002 Tie, 7-7, 11 inn. Miller Park, Milwaukee None

2001 AL, 4-1 Safeco Field, Seattle Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore

2000 AL, 6-3 Turner Field, Atlanta Derek Jeter, N.Y. Yankees

1999 AL, 4-1 Fenway Park, Boston Pedro Martinez, Boston

1998 AL, 13-8 Coors Field, Colorado Roberto Alomar, Baltimore

1997 AL, 3-1 Jacobs Field, Cleveland Sandy Alomar Jr., Cleveland

1996 NL, 6-0 Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia Mike Piazza, Los Angeles

1995 NL, 3-2 The Ballpark at Arlington, Texas Jeff Conine, Florida

1994 NL, 8-7, 10 inn. Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh Fred McGriff, Atlanta

1993 AL, 9-3 Camden Yards, Baltimore Kirby Puckett, Minnesota

1992 AL, 13-6 Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle

1991 AL, 4-2 SkyDome, Toronto Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore

1990 AL, 2-0 Wrigley Field, Chicago Julio Franco, Texas

1989 AL, 5-3 Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim Bo Jackson, Kansas City

1988 AL, 2-1 Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati Terry Steinbach, Oakland

1987 NL, 2-0, 13 inn. Oakland Coliseum, Oakland Tim Raines, Montreal

1986 AL, 3-2 Astrodome, Houston Roger Clemens, Boston

1985 NL, 6-1 Metrodome, Minneapolis LaMarr Hoyt, San Diego

1984 NL, 3-1 Candlestick Park, San Francisco Gary Carter, Montreal

1983 AL, 13-3 Comiskey Park, Chicago Fred Lynn, California

1982 NL, 4-1 Olympic Stadium, Montreal Dave Concepcion, Cincinnati

1981 NL, 5-4 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland Gary Carter, Montreal

1980 NL, 4-2 Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Ken Griffey, Cincinnati

1979 NL, 7-6 Kingdome, Seattle Dave Parker, Pittsburgh

1978 NL, 7-3 San Diego Stadium, San Diego Steve Garvey, Los Angeles

1977 NL, 7-5 Yankee Stadium, New York Don Sutton, Los Angeles

1976 NL, 7-1 Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia George Foster, Cincinnati

1975 NL, 6-3 County Stadium, Milwaukee Bill Madlock, Chi. Cubs
Jon Matlack, N.Y. Mets

1974 NL, 7-2 Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh Steve Garvey, Los Angeles

1973 NL, 7-1 Royals Stadium, Kansas City Bobby Bonds, San Francisco

1972 NL, 4-3, 10 inn. Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta Joe Morgan, Cincinnati

1971 AL, 6-4 Tiger Stadium, Detroit Frank Robinson, Baltimore

1970 NL, 5-4, 12 inn. Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati Carl Yastrzemski, Boston

1969 NL, 9-3 RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington Willie McCovey, San Francisco

1968 NL, 1-0 Astrodome, Houston Willie Mays, San Francisco

1967 NL, 2-1, 15 inn. Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim Tony Perez, Cincinnati

1966 NL, 2-1, 10 inn. Busch Stadium, St. Louis Brooks Robinson, Baltimore

1965 NL, 6-5 Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington Juan Marichal, San Francisco

1964 NL, 7-4 Shea Stadium, New York Johnny Callison, Philadelphia

1963 NL, 5-3 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland Willie Mays, San Francisco

1962 AL, 9-4 Wrigley Field, Chicago Leon Wagner, Los Angeles

1962 NL, 3-1 District of Columbia Stadium, Washington Maury Wills, Los Angeles

1961 Tie, 1-1 Fenway Park, Boston None

1961 NL, 5-4, 10 inn. Candlestick Park, San Francisco None

1960 NL, 6-0 Yankee Stadium, New York None

1960 NL, 5-3 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City None

1959 AL, 5-3 Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles None

1959 NL, 5-4 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh None

1958 AL, 4-3 Memorial Stadium, Baltimore None

1957 AL, 6-5 Busch Stadium, St. Louis None

1956 NL, 7-3 Griffith Stadium, Washington None

1955 NL, 6-5, 12 inn. County Stadium, Milwaukee None

1954 AL, 11-9 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland None

1953 NL, 5-1 Crosley Field, Cincinnati None

1952 NL, 3-2, 5 inn. Shibe Park, Philadelphia None

1951 NL, 8-3 Briggs Stadium, Detroit None

1950 NL, 4-3, 14 inn. Comiskey Park, Chicago None

1949 AL, 11-7 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn None

1948 AL, 5-2 Sportsman Park, St. Louis None

1947 AL, 2-1 Wrigley Field, Chicago None

1946 AL, 12-0 Fenway Park, Boston None

1945 Game canceled due to World War II

1944 NL, 7-1 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh None

1943 AL, 5-3 Shibe Park, Philadelphia None

1942 AL, 3-1 Polo Grounds, New York None

1941 AL, 7-5 Briggs Stadium, Detroit None

1940 NL, 4-0 Sportsman's Park, St. Louis None

1939 AL, 3-1 Yankee Stadium, New York None

1938 NL, 4-1 Crosley Field, Cincinnati None

1937 AL, 8-3 Griffith Stadium, Washington None

1936 NL, 4-3 Braves Field, Boston None

1935 AL, 4-1 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland None

1934 AL, 9-7 Polo Grounds, New York None

1933 AL, 4-2 Comiskey Park, Chicago None

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Memorable moments from the Midsummer Classic
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2007: Ichiro's Inside-the-park Homer
On a fifth-inning drive, Ichiro Suzuki hit the ball to the right-field wall for the first inside-the-park homer in All-Star Game history. Certainly deserving of the MVP honors, Ichiro finished the night going 3-for-3 in his 7th All-Star Game.

2003: Hammerin' Hank Delivers Homefield
Hank Blalock's pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning off Eric Gagne, one of baseball's top relievers, sent the American League to a 7-6 victory and ensured home-field advantage in the World Series. Blalock, 1-for-7 with a double as a pinch-hitter in previous attempts, hit a 3-1 pitch from Gagne for a two-run homer and sent the AL dugout into a frenzy. The Rangers third baseman became the 12th player in All-Star history to homer in his first at-bat.

2001: Cal Goes Out In Style
Baseball's all-time ironman, Cal Ripken Jr., homered in his final All-Star at-bat to earn Most Valuable Player honors. Ripken's third-inning homer, a solo shot, snapped a scoreless tie. The 40-year-old became the oldest player Midsummer Classic. Ripken's second All-Star homer ('91) helped him become the fifth player to be named the game's MVP more than once.

1999: MVP Pedro Martinez
Pedro Martinez became the first All-Star Game starting pitcher to strike out the side in the first inning. He wound up with the victory and the game's MVP award. Mark McGwire's strikeout was the fourth consecutive after Martinez sent Barry Larkin, Larry Walker and Sammy Sosa back to the dugout in the first inning.

1997: Hometown Heroics
Has Cleveland ever been any louder? Doubtful. Catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. made the most of his first All-Star Game appearance in five seasons and only at-bat of the contest. The Indians slugger belted a game-deciding homer off Shawn Estes in the seventh inning in front of a thrilled home crowd. Alomar was named the game MVP as well, at the first Midsummer Classic at Jacobs Field. American League pitchers did their part too, limiting the National League lineup to three hits. In the end, it was American League 3, National League 1.

1996: Piazza Delivery
Dodgers' catcher Mike Piazza, who grew up in nearby Norristown, Penn., enjoyed quite a homecoming at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Piazza nailed a 445-foot home run off Cleveland's Charles Nagy his first time up, then doubled home the National League's fourth run off Chuck Finley in his second at-bat to go 2-for-3 and earn the game's MVP award. In the first All-Star Game ever in which neither pitching staff issues a walk, the National League shuts out the American League, 6-0.

1995: All-World Star
Dodgers hurler Hideo Nomo was the center of the attention at The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. Nomo who went on to win 1995 Rookie of the Year honors, became the first Japanese player to appear in the Midsummer Classic and the first rookie to start an All-Star Game since Fernando Valenzuela took the mound for the National League in 1981. Nomo allowed just one hit in two innings and struck out three batters in a hard fought, 3-2 win by the National League.

1993: The Curious At-Bat
It was one of the most memorable at-bats in the history of the Midsummer Classic. John Kruk, the member of the Phillies least likely to finish the game in a clean uniform, stepped into the batter's box. At the first-ever All-Star Game to be held at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Kruk faced American League starter Randy Johnson, the 6-foot, 10-inch fireballer from Seattle, whose pitches sailed over and around the pear-shaped first baseman.

1989: Old, But Good
Not to be outdone by 40-year-old National League starter Rick Reuschel, 42-year-old Texas Ranger Nolan Ryan fired his patented fastballs at Anaheim Stadium, where he pitched for eight seasons with the Angels. Ryan, the oldest player on either side, tossed two shutout innings and helped his cause in becoming the oldest pitcher to win a Midsummer Classic. Also, in a back-to-back All-Star first, Bo Jackson led off the bottom of the first inning with a monstrous home run, followed by Wade Boggs with his own moon shot, en route to a 5-3 American League triumph.

1984: Smokin'!
On the 50th anniversary of Carl Hubbell's five consecutive All-Star Game strikeouts, the Dodgers' Fernando Valenzuela and the Mets' Dwight Gooden combine for six straight at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. In the top of the fourth, Valenzuela sets down three Hall of Fame hitters: Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson, and George Brett. An inning later, Gooden, who at 19 became the youngest player in All-Star Game history, takes care Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon, and Alvin Davis. Thanks in part to Valenzuela and Gooden, the National League goes on to win the game 3-1.

1983: The 50-Year Itch
As hard as it may be to believe, not one grand slam was hit in the first half-century of All-Star Game play. But on the 50th anniversary of the Midsummer Classic, in the place where it all started in 1933 -- -Comiskey Park -- -California's Fred Lynn ended the drought. With the bases loaded in the third, Lynn sent a shot into the stands for his fourth All-Star Game home run. The American League sets All-Star Game records for runs (7) and hits (6) in one inning and goes on to blast the National League, 13-3.

1971: Mr. July
What happens when the wind is blowing out at an All-Star Game? Exactly what happened at Detroit's Tiger Stadium. Six Future Hall of Famers -- Johnny Bench, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente -- registered home runs in the game to account for every run scored by both teams. Jackson's blasts, however, were especially memorable. With one on in the bottom of the third, the A's slugger ripped a Dock Ellis pitch into a light tower on the roof of Tigers Stadium -- 520 feet from home plate.

1970: A Crushing Blow
Thanks to Brook Robinson's two-run triple, the American League took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth. But on the strength of Dick Dietz's solo home run, three more singles and a sacrifice fly, the National League put up three runs and forced extra innings. That set the stage for one of the most memorable and controversial plays in All-Star Game history. After getting a base hit in front of the home crowd in Cincinnati and moving to second on Billy Grabarewitz's single, the Reds' Pete Rose races home on yet another hit by Jim Hickman. Without slowing down, Rose barreled into Indians catcher Ray Fosse, knocked the ball loose and gave the National League a 5-4 win.

1955: Stan The Man
In the greatest comeback in All-Star Game history, St. Louis' Stan Musial, who would go on to appear in an amazing 20 consecutive Midsummer Classics, hits a home run in the bottom of the 12th inning off Frank Sullivan of the Red Sox to give the National League a thrilling 6-5 victory at Milwaukee County Stadium. All Detroit outfielder Al Kaline could do was watch Musial's ball sail into a crowd of excited fans.

1950: Ted's Miserable Adventure
Playing in the eighth of his 16 All-Star Games, Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams crashed into the scoreboard at Comiskey Park in Chicago in the first inning of the 1950 Midsummer Classic. Williams, who had just snared a line drive off the bat of Pittsburgh's Ralph Kiner, broke his left elbow in the mishap and would end up playing only 89 games that year. The 1950 game was also notable because it was the first extra-innings affair in All-Star Game history, with the National League capturing a 4-3 win in 14 innings.

1949: The Barrier Is Broken
Two years after Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby broke into the Major Leagues, African-Americans make their All-Star Game debut with Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe, Robinson and Doby in the lineup. The American League wins the game 11-7.

1934: A Real Fan Fest
National League starter Carl Hubbell shows that pitching can steal the show when he strikes out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin in order in the first two innings. The National League is unable to hold the lead once Hubbell leaves the game, however, and eventually loses the game, 9-7.

1933: The First Home Run
The baseball gods could not have planned it any better. With one man on in the bottom of the third at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Babe Ruth hits the first home run in All-Star Game history. Ruth, who at 38 was just two years away from retirement, also robbed Cincinnati's Chick Hafey of a hit with a spectacular catch in the eighth inning. Ruth's Yankee teammate, Lefty Gomez, started the game for the American League and became the All-Star Game's first winning pitcher in the 4-2 American League victory.

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Pre All-Star Notes
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Big price drop for All-Star tickets

ST. LOUIS (AP) -All-Star tickets are a bargain at Busch Stadium, at least in comparison with prices for last year's game at the original Yankee Stadium.

Tickets for Tuesday night's All-Star game are priced at $100-$360, down from $150-$725 in New York last year. Monday's workout and Home Run Derby goes for $75-$335, a drop from $100-$650, and Sunday's Futures game cost $25-$175, a decrease from $50-$225.

At AT&T Park in San Francisco two years ago, tickets were $75-$285 for the All-Star game, $50-$225 for the Home Run Derby and $22.50-$125 for the Futures game.

About 1,340 tickets for Tuesday night were available on StubHub.com Sunday afternoon, with asking prices of $475-$11,999. FanSnap.com, an Internet search engine that finds tickets on resale sites, said 2,452 tickets were available starting at $471, the inventory leaving room for prices to drop leading up to the game.

Prices usually are announced about three months ahead of time. Next year's game is at Anaheim and 2011 is in Phoenix. After that, the likely hosts are Kansas City in 2012, New York's Citi Field in 2013 and Minneapolis in 2014. Boston would like to host in 2012 for the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park.

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STAR CATCHER: Cardinals star Albert Pujols will catch the ceremonial first pitch from President Barack Obama before Tuesday night's game.

Obama will be greeted by six living Cardinals Hall of Famers: Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Red Schoendienst, Bruce Sutter and Ozzie Smith.

Obama will use a special glove manufactured by Wilson Sporting Goods with "Obama 44'' in script and an American flag. The glove will go to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

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WET WEATHER: Sunday's Futures game had a 4-hour, 9-minute rain delay in the middle of the first inning. When play resumed, the first three rows of seats in the first section on the plate side of the first-base dugout were empty.

The National Weather Service has forecast highs Monday in the mid-80s and lows in the upper 60s with east winds of 10 mph.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible Tuesday, with the probability growing from 30 percent during the day to 40 percent at night. Highs are forecast in the 90s with lows in the lower 70s. Southeast winds of 10 to 15 mph also are predicted.

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MOW 'EM DOWN: Huge outlines of the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse have been mowed into the grass at Busch Stadium ahead of the All-Star game.

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UNVEILING: Outgoing players' association head Donald Fehr and his designated successor, union general counsel Michael Weiner, are to hold a briefing at Busch Stadium on Monday before the Home Run Derby.

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The Line:

80th ALL-STAR GAME
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO. 8:20PM ET

945 American League (r) Halladay, R -110
946 National League (r) Lincecum, T +100

Over/Under 9 1/2

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Tips and Trends
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American League at National League [Tuesday at 8:00 PM ET]

American League: It should not come as a big surprise that the American League has been installed as a $1.15 favorite against the National League for Tuesday’s 80th All-Star game in St. Louis. After all, the Junior Circuit is 11-0-1 in the last 12 mid-summer classics and has closed as a ‘chalk’ in the last four. The total opened at 9 ½, with the last three All-Star outings dipping ‘under’ that number. In fact, there have been just 21 combined runs scored during that span. Injuries usually don’t play a major role in these games, but this contest could be an exception. Starting second baseman Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox had to withdraw because of a family emergency. He will be replaced by the Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena, who leads the league with 24 home runs. The A.L. continued its dominance in Interleague play this season, going 137-114.

The Under has cashed in the last 3 mid-summer classics.

Key Injuries - None

PROJECTED SCORE: 6

National League: The National League may be at a bit of a disadvantage in the pitching department with right-handers Matt Cain and Johnathon Braxton withdrawing because of injuries. They will be replaced by Pittsburgh’s Zach Duke and Milwaukee’s Trevor Hoffman. Braxton is 6-0 with 20 saves for the Dodgers this season, while Cain is 10-2 with a 2.38 ERA so far for the Giants. It will be the seventh All-Star appearance for Hoffman, who has 20 saves in 22 chances. Baseball’s all-time saves leader is 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA. Dana DeMuth will be calling balls and strikes in Tuesday’s game. Demuth has seen the ‘under’ go 9-8 in his 17 outings behind the dish, with teams combining to score 9.7 runs during that span.

The N.L. has failed to score more than four runs in four of the last five All-Star games.

Key Injuries - None

PROJECTED SCORE: 5

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[pm530]

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Baseball Footnotes on All-Star Day
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PRINCELY SAVINGS: With 23 swings of the bat, Prince Fielder gave Brewers fans a chance to experience baseball's good old days.

The Milwaukee Brewers unveiled a promotion last week offering $1 off select tickets for every homer Fielder hit in the Home Run Derby on Monday night.

Milwaukee's hefty slugger lofted a total of 23 homers to win the showcase - knocking $23 off the regular $28 face value for tickets in the Loge Outfield section at Milwaukee's Miller Park for a three-game series against San Diego Aug. 11-13.

$5 tickets? Can't beat that.

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NO BONDS: He turns 45 in two weeks and is under federal indictment, but Barry Bonds still isn't ready to retire.

The career home run king last played in 2007 for San Francisco, batting .276 with 28 home runs, 66 RBIs and the NL's top on-base percentage.

"I know the Giants are dying for power, and they're in it. They wouldn't have to look beyond their backyard,'' Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, said Monday at the All-Star festivities.

"I talk to teams all the time, but nobody has brought up his name,'' Borris said.

Bonds, a 14-time All-Star and seven-time NL MVP, is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to lying to a federal grand jury in December 2003 when he denied knowingly taking performance-enhancing drugs. The trial has been delayed because of a dispute over admissible evidence.

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FIRST OFF: Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard and Adrian Gonzalez are swinging big bats this season, earning them spots on the NL All-Star roster and in the Home Run Derby.

Only one problem: They all play first base. And with the crowd at Busch Stadium hoping to see a lot of Pujols, the Cardinals star who leads the majors with 32 home runs, where does that leave the rest of the guys?

"This is Albert's town, so if he needs to play the whole game, I would have no problem with that,'' said Fielder, who won Monday night's derby.

Howard figures most everyone will get a swing. The Phillies star might have an extra advantage or two - the NL manager is Charlie Manuel of Philadelphia, and Howard is from St. Louis.

"For me, knowing Charlie, there's a good chance everybody's going to get in this game. But I'm just here to enjoy myself,'' he said. "If I'm called on to pinch-hit, I'm going to go out there and try to pinch-hit.''

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HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW?: Most Cardinals pitchers have taken to sporting mustaches as a sign of solidarity. Except for All-Star closer Ryan Franklin, whose distinctive goatee stretches several inches below his chin.

The 36-year-old Franklin earned his first All-Star nod on a near-perfect first half with 21 saves in 22 chances and a minuscule 0.79 ERA. It's been all good news since he began growing the goatee early in spring training.

"A buddy of mine back home made T-shirts with a Cardinals hat, no face and just a big goatee, my number on the back and All-Star,'' Franklin said. "Sold a few of them, too.''

Franklin said the goatee is getting a bit long, promising a trim sometime soon, but insists there's no week-old soup bits hiding in the locks.

"It's starting to bother me a little bit, starting to get in my face when I try to go to sleep at night,'' Franklin said. "But it's really clean. I'm a clean, well-groomed guy.''

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SOFTBALL STARS: St. Louis musician Nelly was all over the field in the celebrity softball game Sunday night, hitting a long home run, making a sliding catch in left field and flattening the temporary fence in a futile chase of a homer by Andy Richter. ... St. Louis native Jenna Fischer, who stars in the TV sitcom "The Office,'' said her fondest Cardinals memory was reading a poem she had written as a young school girl on KMOX radio. "I feel like it was 'Roses are red, violets are blue, Cardinals something,''' Fischer said.

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[Udog]

Len's Top 5


Happy Bastille Day everyone, here's my Top 5 for July 14, 2009 from Len Berman Sports.

1. Quick Hits

President Obama throws out the first ball at tonight's All Star Game in St. Louis.
Former Red Sox and Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez is expected to sign with the Phillies for the second half of the season.
The Cubs may file for a quick bankruptcy as part of the deal to sell the team. Why not? Just like GM they haven't had a winner in ages.
Word has it that Dallas Quarterback Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson are splitsville. A-Rod and Kate Hudson are now on the clock.

2. Non Issue

Tonight's All Star game will determine which team gets the home field advantage for the World Series. They've been doing it that way since 2003 to increase interest in the game. How has it worked out? The American League has won every All Star game, but only half of the World Series since 2003. As for the TV ratings? They keep sinking lower. I'd say the linkage idea has basically struck out at every level.

3. Chicks Dig......

Prince Fielder of Milwaukee won last night's Home Run Derby. They belt homers in baseball, and do slam dunks in basketball during all star festivities. But fans decry the lack of fundamentals from the modern athlete. So let's change it. In basketball let's have a "moving without the ball" competition. And in baseball lets change it to "moving the runner over." We could change that sexy phrase to "chicks dig the sacrifice bunt!"

4. Nailed

It didn't come as a surprise when former Met and Phillie Lenny Dykstra filed for bankruptcy last week. He was supposedly some kind of business whiz, yet he always seemed more talk that substance. The first time I met him we discussed that we lived near each other. When I asked him if he'd like to play tennis some time, he said "I'll whip your ass." That was Lenny. But wouldn't Mets fans take his attitude at Citi Field in a heartbeat?

5. Whatever it Takes

A New Zealand taekwondo athlete needs to raise about $300-thousand in his bid to compete in the 2012 Olympics, so he did the natural thing. He opened a brothel. A New Zealand official said it may affect his selection to the team. After all, it's not just performance that counts, it's the "athlete's ability to serve as an example to the youth of the country."
Yeah, ya gotta maintain the integrity of the Olympics which has never had any drug, cheating or bribery issues over the years.

Happy Birthday: Former New York Giant and member of the L.A. Rams "Fearsome Foursome" Rosey Grier. 77.
Bonus Birthday: "Big Pussy." Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore. 63.

Today in Sports: The National League wins the All Star game 5-4 in 12 innings In Cincinnati when Pete Rose famously bowls over catcher Ray Fosse. 1970.
Bonus Event: The French Revolution begins when they storm the Bastille, ironically on Bastille Day. 1789.