tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post5297730571204754357..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: My take on the All-Star Game By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20307675314942423222014-07-21T08:41:27.292-07:002014-07-21T08:41:27.292-07:00There was a tribute to Tony Gwynn in the pre-game ...There was a tribute to Tony Gwynn in the pre-game show.chuckcdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38072440831119824772014-07-21T08:39:52.756-07:002014-07-21T08:39:52.756-07:00A sweater? Bring a parka!A sweater? Bring a parka!chuckcdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14227061109571797882014-07-18T20:10:11.668-07:002014-07-18T20:10:11.668-07:00Joe Buck has adequate skills as an announcer, but ...Joe Buck has adequate skills as an announcer, but where his dad Jack was revered in St. Louis, Joe is widely disliked in his own hometown for being one of those "born on third base and thinks he hit a triple" type of guys. <br />Jack was famous for being affable with fans and the other "little people" one encounters as a baseball announcer - waiters, cabbies, bellmen, clubhouse attendants, bartenders, etc - and was known a generous tipper. Joe has the reputation of being an arrogant, sour-faced cheapskate. <br />He is like his dad in one important respect, though, in that he cheated on his first wife, then dumped her for a younger woman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36054616933397759492014-07-18T13:23:45.850-07:002014-07-18T13:23:45.850-07:00Great commentary - actually more consistently ente...Great commentary - actually more consistently entertaining and thought-provoking than the game itself.<br /><br />However, at the risk of getting banned, I have to say I absolutely love "the wickedly talented Adele Dazeem".Tudor Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03544142728842449527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85684305445526803102014-07-18T12:27:52.443-07:002014-07-18T12:27:52.443-07:00If the 'milk it for all it's worth' re...If the 'milk it for all it's worth' retirement boys Saint Derek and Saint Mariano were as classy as they are made out to be, they would have quietly announced their retirements after the season and not ginned it up ad nauseum. Of course it's because they played in NYC, just as the Hall of Fame is super New York heavy. It's not always merit-based! And I like the rule that each team has to be represented, otherwise I wouldn't have seen Daniel Murphy of the New York Mets strike out to end the eighth with the tying runs on. And home field advantage? No. Four game series-two games in each park. No advantage there. Five game series? First two games in the 'winner's' park, next three in the 'loser's' park. Advantage--losing league. Six game series--three games apiece. No advantage there. Seven game series? Two-three-two. THERE'S your advantage! What a joke. Just stop pretending that it's anything but an exhibition where ridiculously buddy-buddy players cavort at half speed.mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67313232143774765562014-07-17T10:55:25.197-07:002014-07-17T10:55:25.197-07:00Loved the line about David Price. I don't know...Loved the line about David Price. I don't know why it's so funny to me, but is. And hey, there's a player every year that could be fitted for that line. It's an evergreen!<br /><br />I watched a bit on Fox while I listened on ESPN Radio. I mean, I don't hate Joe Buck, but it usually seems that, in his head, the game is there so that he can be on TV. I used to really like him. He should just be in the studio doing to pre- and post-game shows.<br /><br />I think there was so much attention to Jeter because he's played for the same club for 20 years, a club that almost everyone hates but will say "Except for Jeter. He's all right." He also benefits from standing near A-Rod for so long, who makes everybody look great in comparison.<br /><br />I'd rather that an In Memorium happen during the World Series. I'm not sure why, but the ASG doesn't seem right for it.Charles H. Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74890280369947058472014-07-17T09:37:14.452-07:002014-07-17T09:37:14.452-07:00Menzel is our version of The Loudest Yodeler in th...Menzel is our version of The Loudest Yodeler in the World. Impressive in a one-trick-pony way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12349706362192635132014-07-16T23:23:19.478-07:002014-07-16T23:23:19.478-07:00I thought the All Star game was a hell of a lot mo...I thought the All Star game was a hell of a lot more interesting when it didn't mean anything.Mike Barerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14447874605833321732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72981341469634054992014-07-16T20:56:15.152-07:002014-07-16T20:56:15.152-07:00I grew up listening to Vin Scully every night. I m...I grew up listening to Vin Scully every night. I moved away from SoCal to Hawaii years ago and could only enjoy him on occasional network broadcasts. Last year while working in Seattle I got the great idea of subscribing to MLB.com and was able to catch nearly every Dodger TV broadcast that Vin Scully did. Man he is still the best. Life was awesome. <br /><br />Back home in Hawaii I discovered that Major League Baseball has deemed the entire state of Hawaii as a "hometown" of the Dodgers and I am unable to watch any of the blacked out games. I can still listen to the first three innings of the radio broadcast to hear Vin. Awesome. I guess I should learn my lesson and commute to the games everyday. <br /><br />It's enough to make you hate MLB and the douche running it. Bud Selig leaves his initials everywhere.H Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12482221297668464504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51479592164595993492014-07-16T19:57:32.364-07:002014-07-16T19:57:32.364-07:00McCarver has been doing some local games in St. Lo...McCarver has been doing some local games in St. Louis this season. I am astonished at how good he has been on the broadcasts. JoeyHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12710864245535772665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1923229470889153722014-07-16T18:52:56.195-07:002014-07-16T18:52:56.195-07:00Re: managers using "their own guys." At ...Re: managers using "their own guys." At least they don't let managers pick the entire substitution roster any more, when managers would fill almost the entire team with their guys. As I recall, Joe Torre was notorious (notorre-ous?) for doing that. Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43466559847782344022014-07-16T18:17:53.964-07:002014-07-16T18:17:53.964-07:00Friday question: Years ago I read an incredible, a...Friday question: Years ago I read an incredible, almost too crazy to believe story in the great Brandon Tartikoff's autobiography about the casting of Sam Malone. Specifically, that actor and future 24 President William DeVane was one of the finalists for the role and actually did his final audition by breaking and walking over broken glass on bare feet which either was too crazy for the producers at the time, or actually caused him to lose the role through physical injury. Do you or someone else know if this story has any element of truth to it whatsoever? I've been wondering this for years. ThanksSimon H.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9490647210282004162014-07-16T16:59:46.184-07:002014-07-16T16:59:46.184-07:00Wait, there was a Tom McCarver era?Wait, there was a Tom McCarver era?Phantom Dreamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00013229129290044300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89039034339731893462014-07-16T16:28:29.502-07:002014-07-16T16:28:29.502-07:00Look at the bright side, gang. This is the beginni...Look at the bright side, gang. This is the beginning of the NON Tom McCarver era. That alone should be a reason for celebration.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27463164273197053422014-07-16T14:32:42.424-07:002014-07-16T14:32:42.424-07:00Fox coverage is why we have the term 'Jeterate...Fox coverage is why we have the term 'Jeterate'. They all but broke into a 1918 chant when the Yankees scored a few runs off Pedro in Game 7 in 2004, after being down 8-1.<br /><br />'Love Water, not Oil'<br />Is that a reference to hair care?<br />If it's about energy, it tends to be these guys who are using so much energy in the first place. One set of anti-fracking protesters in England ran out of diesel for their generator.MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4411289525533819402014-07-16T13:50:56.401-07:002014-07-16T13:50:56.401-07:00Here's all you need to know about the All-Star...Here's all you need to know about the All-Star Game: The Texas Rangers, with the worst record in MLB, had two All-Stars (Yu Darvish and Adrian Beltre). The Washington Nationals, tied for the NL East lead (and technically ahead by a percentage point), had but <i>one--</i> reliever Tyler Clippard, who pitched to two batters, got both out, then split the scene.<br /><br />As a Nats and NL fan, I'm still ticked off at Mike Matheny for starting Adam Wainwright, and for Wainwright to grooving a pitch to leadoff batter Jeter. This wasn't Denny McLain lobbing one to Mickey Mantle after the Tigers already had clinched the '68 pennant; something was on the line here. (If it's any solace, barring a <i>major</i> turnaround, neither AL East evil empire will be able to take advantage of it. Heck, for the first time in the wild-card era, both the Yanks and Bosox may miss the postseason (hooray!). <br /><br />As for the NL, there are eight teams fighting for five spots (though I expect the SF/LA loser to claim a wild-card berth after beating up on the Dbacks, Rox and Padres). Should be plenty of fun.<br /><br />Finally, Ken, as I just moved to Los Angeles, might you be able to list the Dodgers' flagships sine '58? I know they began on KMPC, but switched to KFI after '60 because a team exec couldn't pick up the signal around Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear...a move that in turn led Gene Autry to seek radio rights for the new LA AL franchise. As we all know, he wound up with the team. (BTW, it just sounds weird hearing Vin on KLAC, <i>aka</i> "Fox Sports LA"; one thing Scully has never needed is "attitude.")VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3702341650231500572014-07-16T13:45:10.353-07:002014-07-16T13:45:10.353-07:00"They", not "This""They", not "This"DwWashburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03057278992504418291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76836032252425259732014-07-16T13:41:52.438-07:002014-07-16T13:41:52.438-07:00I'm a huge baseball fan but have never liked t...I'm a huge baseball fan but have never liked the All Star game. And now that the two leagues are playing each other every day, it has even less appeal. When will the reign of Bud Selig end? That man has screwed up nearly everything he has touched.<br /><br />Friday question - In a regular season game it seems like every time someone gets a base hit, the first baseman on the opposing team strikes up a conversation with him. They are usually smiling and it seems pleasant. What do this usually talk about?DwWashburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03057278992504418291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6638624659265928252014-07-16T13:36:35.558-07:002014-07-16T13:36:35.558-07:00Wainwright lobbed softballs and the other crappy C...Wainwright lobbed softballs and the other crappy Cardinal pitcher finished the deed. Puig was terrible, but his three mates did well.<br /><br />Matheny was awful as a manager. I hope my Dodgers WRECK the Cards this weekend as a thank you for losing home field advantage in the World Series.Marc Plattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59324413050479771552014-07-16T13:31:16.654-07:002014-07-16T13:31:16.654-07:00The 'best pitcher in baseball' did start t...The 'best pitcher in baseball' did start the game. For the AL.Dad Solohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421527540037417787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17279116937504276672014-07-16T12:25:17.550-07:002014-07-16T12:25:17.550-07:00I would like to see/ hear the broadcast team of Ke...I would like to see/ hear the broadcast team of Ken Levine and Bob Uecker for the next All Star Game, or really, for any baseball game. Dodgerdognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-279925183719237922014-07-16T11:54:40.724-07:002014-07-16T11:54:40.724-07:00I was in Baltimore for a standup show I was on and...I was in Baltimore for a standup show I was on and was watching the pregame show on Fox Sports earlier in the nite at the bar where the show was. As much as I hate Fox Sports, they talked a lot about Tony Gwynn during the pregame show, with interviews with all sorts of players (George Brett, Glavine and others) all during the show. Why they didn't do that on the national broadcast on Fox is beyond me.yatesyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12182600767679971390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71421496969164300962014-07-16T11:35:28.527-07:002014-07-16T11:35:28.527-07:00Glad to have an opportunity to remember Michael Je...Glad to have an opportunity to remember Michael Jeter. So many memorable performances. Unforgettable in "The Fisher King." (Damn, I can never recall the title of that movie...always have to look it up.) Really miss him.Lorimartiannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49811685251179001862014-07-16T11:06:42.064-07:002014-07-16T11:06:42.064-07:00It was especially striking to transition from the ...It was especially striking to transition from the ESPN nearly 3-hour pre-game programming (where Gwynn, Zimmer, et al were featured quite often) into the FOX live broadcast. I was waiting for at least some references to them in the opening sequence to the program.....when nothing appeared, I knew it would be a long night.DrBOPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07179469265158025584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64415514992305785602014-07-16T11:04:11.270-07:002014-07-16T11:04:11.270-07:00I like the baseball posts, sir. But I don't u...I <i>like</i> the baseball posts, sir. But I don't understand your defense of Joe Buck. His shtick seems to be to try and tease as much controversy out of every play as possible. Tom Verducci is an upgrade over Tim McCarver. For that matter, Harold Reynolds is an upgrade. The batboy -- any batboy -- would have been an upgrade. If network TV wanted an old Cardinals catcher, why not use Bob Uecker? Sure, McCarver was a better catcher than Uecker -- but Uecker is entertaining as all get out.<br /><br />You're certainly right about the neglect of Gwynn <i>et al.</i> They yammered so much about the past and the future. Jeter with the kid from the Reds when the kid was <i>really</i> a kid, in the Little League World Series was a cute bit. But it was overdone. Instead of repeating that over and over, how about mentioning some of the greats we've lost in the past year?<br /><br />Jeter's retirement was grossly overdone. Yes, we get it. He's retiring. It was in all the papers. Solarity nailed the reason: Jeter is New York.<br /><br />As a life-long Chicagoan and nearly life-long White Sox fan (I was really too little in 1959 to understand why the air raid sirens were going off), I hate the Yankees with every fiber of my being. (White Sox fans have it worse than Red Sox fans in this regard: At least the Yankees hate the Red Sox <i>back</i>. We're beneath the Yankees' notice....) But I've always kind of liked Jeter (and Girardi and Rivera). In fact one of reasons I can tolerate Jeter despite his pinstripes is that he, too, seems to be genuinely embarrassed by all this retirement nonsense.<br /><br />As for Target Field -- it looks beautiful on TV. One of my daughters and her husband have visited and they say it looks just as nifty in person. But they have 81 home dates and maybe 60 days above freezing up there. I can't understand how they didn't build that place with a roof like Miller Park in Milwaukee.The Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14723009641287783218noreply@blogger.com