7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

[cubsfan203]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

Ranger fans don't know any better.

Um, he was quoting a Dodgers fan...

[bkrich83]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

Um, he was quoting a Dodgers fan...

He was.. LOL

I still blame Ranger fans.

[Kelverin]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

The HR derby wasn't that good in entertainment value.

Has it ever been? Worthless as the all-star game is. I'm just glad Adrian did not get hurt, he should have taken the day off.....At least the padres did not lose yesterday

[JBH3]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

Has it ever been? Worthless as the all-star game is. I'm just glad Adrian did not get hurt, he should have taken the day off.....At least the padres did not lose yesterday

It was exciting to see Abreu a few years ago, Howard after him, and then Hamilton last year.

However this HR derby absolutely sucked. I started watching in the 2nd rd, and wasted my time watching Pujols and Howard look at pitch after pitch and net 4 or 5 HRs. First commercial break I was taking out my aggression in FN4 :wink:.

[pfunk880]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

Derby was pretty entertaining to me.

[Blzer]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

This Home Run Derby was terrible to watch from home. Whoever decided that the camera view is zoomed out so far that we get a glimpse of the pitcher as well is a joke. They should either stick to the zoomed in view so we actually get a good connection with the batter or they should have the side view they used to have of the past. This zoomed out view was killing me, even on a 52" HDTV.

The next issue was sort of a two-part issue: these guys took way too many pitches. I understand that you need to find your pitch to blast it out, but damn! I miss the days when someone would find their groove (even Hamilton) and then just blast four or five pitches in a row after that. Maybe they'll take a pitch automatically after getting an out just to rest up and see one more to really get a look, but then they'll get back into the swing of things. But I tell you, Carlos Peña was a joke. He's having the pitches go outside and he'll take his good ones (going "Sí" or whatever, acknowledging that he likes it), but then just kept taking pitches! Honestly, it would be different if he was actually blasting 20 home runs in a round, but there was a stint when he took nine pitches in a row! Then he finally swings at one that he thinks he likes but is actually crap and he just hits a liner or fouls it off. The crowd gets restless, and so do I. It was driving me nuts. At least Inge went out in about 15 pitches.

The second part about that is their pitchers sucked. Whoever they chose to throw to them, they should have decided on other people. Cruz, Gonzalez, and Inge didn't have too many issues, but Prince had to go out of his wheelhouse because his pitcher couldn't throw it low, Pujols wanted to center too many when his pitcher was grooving them for him to pull, Peña... I won't even talk about him, Mauer's pitcher threw him curveballs which he topped each time, and Howard's pitcher threw him from an arm slot that would bottom out like a sinker if the pitch started out too low. I've thrown BP most of my high school career... trust me, it isn't that hard. Throw it where they like it and stick in that groove like they can and should be doing.

Again, this Home Run Derby was disappointing. I wanted my little sister to watch it to see how these guys really focus on emphasizing torque and top hand drive to get through these balls, but you couldn't even see them the entire time because of the camera angle, and Berman and the crowd didn't help by not being too interested in this derby either. She would have had a blast with someone like McGwire in '99, Sosa in '00 or '02 with his corked bat, or Hamilton last year. This year was just lackluster, including Pujols' effort.

Congrats, Prince.

[pfunk880]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

I wanted my little sister to watch it to see how these guys really focus on emphasizing torque and top hand drive to get through these balls

That's... interesting. Trying to turn your little sister into a feared power hitter?

This year was just lackluster, including Pujols' effort.

I don't think you can really fault Pujols on account of his effort.

[Chizzypoof]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

The Home Run derby was pretty dull this year. No one really got into a grove. But it was cool to see Pujols change to a leg kick. Congrats to Fielder though.

The broadcast was tough to watch. Berman gets on my nerves now with his never ending segue ways... "speaking of Mcdonalds, this one is hit to the Gateway Arch." Then they get into these conversations that just ramble on. It's was like watching a talk show with the home run derby on a TV screen in the background.

Whoever came up with the revolutionary ball track needs to be fired. That crayon thing made me follow the wrong path 90% of the time. You would see the ball land several feet from where the track was. Either they need to get fired, or I pitch the producers Ali G's ice cream glove idea and make some quick cash.

The best part of the day was MLB networks Batting Practice. 3 hours of the MLB guys talking to whoever was on the field and eavesdropping in some great conversations between All-Stars. The Torre/Jeter conversation was awesome. It felt like I was just on the field soaking it all in.

[Blzer]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

That's... interesting. Trying to turn your little sister into a feared power hitter?

No, but I need her to understand the importance of lower body mechanics in a swing. I mean I've been telling her it all of her life and she follows, but I need her to believe it herself.

I don't think you can really fault Pujols on account of his effort.

That's true, I should have said 'resulting performance'. I just expected more, I suppose. And not necessarily more home runs, but just the excitement factor. This year, and the year at U.S. Cellular Field, did not have that excitement.

[pfunk880]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

Whoever came up with the revolutionary ball track needs to be fired. That crayon thing made me follow the wrong path 90% of the time. You would see the ball land several feet from where the track was. Either they need to get fired, or I pitch the producers Ali G's ice cream glove idea and make some quick cash.

Agreed, and I don't even really care for it when it's correct if it's being used live, because it takes some of the suspense out of the ones that look like they might be close.

[Misfit]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

Whenever I see a network introduce a stupid new gimmick like that homerun tassel thing from last night it just tells me even they don't have enough confidence in the program alone to sell the product. Who has ever watched a homerun derby and thought to themselves "It sure would be cool if the balls left color-coded vapor trails on my screen."

[pfunk880]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

Whenever I see a network introduce a stupid new gimmick like that homerun tassel thing from last night it just tells me even they don't have enough confidence in the program alone to sell the product. Who has ever watched a homerun derby and thought to themselves "It sure would be cool if the balls left color-coded vapor trails on my screen."

Exactly. The technology is interesting, but it really adds nothing to the broadcast.

[Speedy]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

They should position a bunch of cameras in different areas of the park and show it where the ball looks like it's coming right at you - I love that vantage point.

[rspencer86]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

Professional baseball coming to Kansas City?

I would love this.

[SPTO]

Re: 7/13 - 7/19 MLB Discussion(2009 All-Star Edition)

I'm hoping Roy has a dominating inning or two in the ASG tonight as well as Aaron Hill getting a hit and making a great play.

Other then that, GO AL!