-The Phoenix (10-13-10)

The Phoenix

For me, there is only one answer: BUD BLACK!  The San Diego Padres weren’t expected to do anything this year.  They finished last year at 75-87; their big free agent signing was Jon Garland and the only player worth any mention was Adrian Gonzalez.  What did Bud do?  Oh, only have a first place team for virtually the entire season until the last week and a half.  The Padres were contending until the last weekend, but unfortunately, their youth and inexperience showed up at the wrong time (see 10-game losing streak in August).  I know what the main argument is going to be: “The Padres didn’t make the playoffs, so Black shouldn’t be considered.”  I call b/s on that.  In 2006, Joe Girardi was named NL Manager of the year with the fourth place Marlins, and in the American League for back to back years, the manager of a third place team (Tony Pena in ‘03 with the Kansas City Royals and Buck Showalter in ‘04 with the Texas Rangers).  Playoffs shouldn’t dictate this award nor should the retirement of a future Hall of Famer.

Black did more with less.  Give him the trophy!

Jack Bauer of All Sports

I’ve got nothing to add. It’s Black, hands-down. Only other person you could make a case for MIGHT be Bruce Bochy in SF, but the Giants’ success was much more a function of their trade activity and having a totally revamped team after the 7/31 trade deadline compared to the opening day lineup. That said, I’d vote Brian Sabbian as NL General Manager of the year.

Dr. Sports Fan

Bud Black is a fine choice, but why not Phillies manager Charlie Manuel or Houston manager Brad Mills. Manuel’s team ended the season with the best record in baseball despite a terrible year from the offense. For anyone that had Carlos Ruiz as the team’s most consistent hitter this year, congrats on assuming the Sports Nostradamus mantel. As for Mills, his team went 59-52 after June 1 despite losing the first 8 games of the season and a 17-34 start. For a team that was easily the worst in the majors at the start of the season to finish in the middle of the pack, that’s nothing to snicker at. Plus the Astros played their best without Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt.

As for my rebuttal of Black: How can we reward the man that steered the ship into the ground? I remember that little 10-game losing streak during the stretch run. Sorry, but my Manager of the Year’s team doesn’t choke away its shot at the playoffs.

Phoenix

I got nothing against “Uncle Cholly” for Manager of the Year since there is some weight to a manager who led the team to the MLB best record.  Can’t argue that.  I can’t say I completely disagree with Mills since Houston’s second half was MUCH better than the first — causing at least the pausing of Ed Wade effigies.

The ten game losing streak did hurt Black’s case a little, but even with that losing streak, the Padres were still in it until the last weekend.  Right about then is where the Padres could have just wrapped it up and called it a season, but they kept clawing and fighting.  Even with a ridiculous slide, the Padres showed some fight and some resiliency the rest of the way.  They didn’t give up, and that’s a byproduct of good leadership.  If Black doesn’t win the award, it doesn’t kill me one way or the other.  I just hearken back to my argument he did more with less.

Jack

Once again, I am 100% with the Phoenix. Houston was a good story, but they never competed for the playoffs, the Padres did. As for “Chuck”, he did exactly what he should have done, lead the Phils to the best NL record with the best team top to bottom, despite the hiccups of the offense at times. No props to “Chuck” for doing what he was expected to do with the most resources at his disposal.

DSF

Fair enough. Like I said before, Black is a good choice. But I take umbrage that Charlie just merely met expectations. I mean his entire starting lineup spent time on the DL and some players — Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley — spent significant time there during the season. Factor in the on-going Brad Lidge issues, in which Manuel stuck with him and was rewarded with a new Lidge by the season’s stretch drive, and I don’t see why Charlie isn’t as good a candidate. Yeah his team has more resources, but they could have very well turned into the 2009 Mets, whose season was ruined by devastating injuries. I credit Manuel (and GM Ruben Amaro) for avoiding that doomsday scenario.

Jack

Umbrage? That’s a big word! Good prodution, Mr. Phoenix.

Chuck has a long track record of success and getting the most out of a team, even when the injury bug strikes. While he may have done one of his best jobs this season given the up and down health of the team, we expect nothing less out of him. He was a good manager this year, but not the best.

DSF

That’s Dr. Sports Fan to you!

Jack

Sorry Doc!

Verdict

National League Manager of the Year: Bud Black, San Diego Padres

Events occur in real time.

11:30 a.m.

I felt it was a prime time to leave work and make the drive up from San Diego to Anaheim to beat traffic.

Much to my surprise, I did not encounter any traffic and made the trip from San Diego to Anaheim in 80 minutes. That doesn’t count the 20 minutes it took to get to my dad’s (a.k.a. the Power Guy) hotel with the road closures for the All-Star Game parade. I’m glad I was able to witness was Anaheim’s finest on horseback blocking my path down the street I expecting to use.

1:00 p.m.

I parked my car and met up with the Power Guy for our first stop on the All-Star tour: Fan-fest. As I walked through, I couldn’t help but notice how much was on sale. It truly is a shame how commercial sports have become. Fan Fest in my opinion is supposed to be a celebration of the history of baseball and the All-Star game, with a specific dedication to the host team. Instead, what I saw was complete domination by “official” All-Star game stores and merchants.

The Anaheim Convention Center, site of the 2010 All-Star Game Fan Fest. (Jason Branch)

There were some cool aspects of the Fan Fest, such as old uniforms and memorabilia in cases, and an entire convention center decorated in items representing all of the teams. But overall, the entire event was all about shopping and events geared towards kids. At the age of 24, perhaps I am starting to become an old man and events like a Fan Fest might have passed me by.

2:30 p.m.

After Fan Fest, Power Guy and I made our way into the parking lot of Angels Stadium for a pre-game party with free food, open bar, and a concert featuring Train. Unfortunately, only 36 hours removed from my weekend in Vegas, I chose to pass on the open bar. We did, however, randomly sit at a table with the mayor of Anaheim. He was a very nice guy, and I chatted with him for a few minutes.

4:15 p.m.

When we finally made it inside the stadium, there were a lot of All-Star game decorations. They even had a sign with pictures of the American League starting lineup. Unfortunately, I did not find one for the National League, which just so happened to be the team I would be rooting for as a Dodgers fan.

Jack and Power Guy at the All-Star Game, both unintentionally wearing identical Dodgers golf shirts. (Jason Branch)

4:30 p.m.

Our seats are in the last row of the third level right near the right field corner foul pole. The scorching late afternoon sun was in our faces, but that didn’t stop the three stereotypically obnoxious New York Yankees fans from being annoying.

5:00 p.m.

I don’t know what’s worse: annoying New York fans or Joe Buck’s voice on the PA announcing the starting lineups. Literally 15 minutes prior, I had tweeted that the best part of attending the All-Star Game was not having to listen to Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Foiled!!

(You can follow me @JBauerOfSports.)

5:30 p.m.

At last, the game started. Much to my chagrin, pregame festivities did not include Bud Selig, thus depriving me the opportunity to boo him. While we had a decent view from our seats, my camera’s zoom lense improved my ability to watch the action.

During the NL pre-game introductions, I took specific notice of Cincinnati Reds pitcher Arthur Rhodes and Atlanta infielder Omar Infante. Both players, especially the 40-year old-Rhodes, are having solid seasons, but those players stole the spot of Padres’ starting pitcher Mat Latos, who, as of the All-Star break, had the lowest batting-average-against in all of baseball. I understand the logic of NL manager Charlie Manuel in selecting both guys to play niche roles in trying to win the game, especially since Bud Selig destroyed an exhibition meant for the fans after that fateful All-Star game in Milwaukee, but come on Chuck!

7:30 p.m.

Jack Bauer gets a Congressional-style bail out! One of Power Guy’s contacts hatched a plan to smuggle us out of the blistering heat into a box. What a relief! For the duration of the game, we watched from a luxury box and had an awesome view of some of the finest baseball players in the world. Another plus: I was able to take much better pictures of the game.

A few pieces of personal observation and thought I had throughout the game:

• Most of the people at the game were Angels fans, but there was still a lot of Dodger blue in the stands and several patches of Red Sox and Yankees fans. A lot of San Diego Padres fans made the drive up the 5. My TBS colleagues, Dr. Sports Fan and The Phoenix, would be happy to know there were some scattered Phillies fans.
• In a nice tribute to the late Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard, his voice introduced Derek Jeter when he came to the plate. I learned from someone in the box that this has been done at all Yankees games specifically for Jeter since Sheppard retired.
• Detroit’s Justin Verlander’s delivery is very similar to that of the legendary Sandy Koufax.

9:50 p.m.

Detriot Tigers' ace Justin Verlander pitches in the 2010 All-Star Game with a delivery eerily similar to Sandy Koufax's. (Jason Branch)

Top of the 7th inning, and NL manager Charlie Manuel strikes again! After the NL put runners at 1st and 3rd with one out, with Dodgers stud lefty Andre Ethier (who already had a hit in the game) due to bat. To no surprise, AL manager Joe Girardi lifted Yanks pitcher Phil Hughes in favor of a left-handed arm, which was in the form of Chicago White Sox reliever Matt Thornton. My first reaction at the time, “who’s he????” (Check out new TBS contributor QuinceWAR’s column about the All-Star Game to find out more about Thornton.)

Quick stat check: Ethier has a .288 batting average against left-handed pitching this season. I like those odds, especially since Ethier had to be pumped with an opportunity to deliver a big hit close to home and possibly win the game’s MVP award.

As Thornton took his warm up tosses, I saw Ethier walk towards the dugout and Arizona Diamondbacks batsman Chris Young emerge into the on deck circle.

Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

I very patiently waited for the PA announcer to announce the lineup change before I unleashed my inner Eagles fan by booing the move by Manuel, which was lightly matched by Dodgers fans, though not nearly to my extent. I am an Eagles fan, so you know that I can boo! Granted, I understand “Chuck’s” commitment to get other players into the game, but why remove Ethier in that spot less than 50 miles from Dodgers Stadium?

9:56 p.m.

After my fierce booing, my rage resumed with an angry text to Dr. Sports Fan attacking his manager. The doctor responded that Manuel is “not the best baseball tactician”. Word Doc.

Young’s effort resulted in a weak pop out in foul territory, which drew more booing from myself and the Dodgers contingent. Fortunately for Manuel and me, Atlanta Braves backstop Brian McCann’s bases-clearing, three-run double gave the NL a 3-1 lead.

10:15 p.m.

After the 7th inning stretch, with the AL trailing, the stadium operator responded with traditional Angels home game tactics to rally the crowd, which of course included several appearances from the “Rally Monkey.” It sure rallied the crowd but not so much for the AL. Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton — who received a warm welcome from the Dodger fan base — closed the door on the AL in the 9th inning to save the 3-1 win for the NL.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton pitches a scoreless 9th inning to earn the save for the NL. (Jason Branch)

After the game, Power Guy and I stuck around for a brief while and caught the MVP award presentation to McCann. This was when I finally got the opportunity I had been salivating over for month: Bud Selig took the stage.

As Selig took the microphone to present the award to McCann, I unleashed another round of “Eagles-fan” style booing. I wasn’t alone. The rest of the remaining crowd was booing!! Another item off of my Sports Bucket List: Boo Bud Selig in person.

9:30 p.m.

Power Guy and I left the box to go to an after-party outside of the stadium. Like the pre-game party, this event also featured baseball food, live music, and open bar — which I again passed on.

10:00 p.m.

This after-party was just a lame gathering of various corporate employees, so Power Guy and I went back to the hotel. Perhaps I would have taken advantage of the open bar if (1) I wasn’t there with my dad and (2) didn’t have to drive home.

10:15 p.m.

We said our good-byes, and I drove home. I fought hard to stay awake on my drive home to San Diego. I was really running on fumes by this point a mere 36 hours removed from a three-day weekend in Vegas.

11:29 p.m.

Home sweet home after 900 miles of driving from Friday to Tuesday, and it was worth every one of them.

11:29:57

11:29:58

11:29:59

11:30:00

A few years ago, Bud Selig changed all of that. Now the All-Star Game “matters”.

For some inexplicable reason, Bud decided that an exhibition game, where the fans vote for the starting line-up, determines home field advantage in the World Series.  Logic would say that the team with the better record in the regular season deserves the reward of home field advantage in the World Series. That’s something fairly obvious to everyone — except Bud Selig, I guess.

(Since the All-Star Game has decided home-field advantage in the Fall Classic, the American League hasn’t lost. This includes the 2009 All-Star Game.)

The All-Star Game itself has also suffered. Every year, a few head-scratchers make the All-Star team (every franchise gets one All-Star representative), and up until a few years ago, that’s all they were.  Now, players who don’t deserve to be All-Stars — and play for last-place clubs — play key innings in the fight for home-field advantage in the World Series.

On that note, let’s look at the lineups and see which questionable All-Stars could figure into the outcome of the game and home-field advantage in the World Series. In the National League, the first name that jumped out to me was Omar Infante. Sure, he may be having a good year… for Omar Infante! Why is he there, especially when he has fewer home runs than Yovanni Gallardo? Well, NL Manager Charlie Manuel felt that he needed a utility infielder, just in case. As stupid as that sounds, can you really blame Charlie for wanting a player who can play any position when home field advantage is on the line?

Next up is starting catcher Yadier Molina? Does Molina really deserve to start over Brian McCann, much less even make the team over Miguel Olivo? Jose Reyes over Rafeal Furcal? Should Joey Votto have to wait until the “Final Vote” get him in?!  He’s got the best OPS (On-base plus Slugging) in all of baseball!  But, Manuel has no need for a fourth first baseman. And while Jason Heyward may have been anointed the greatest rookie hitter of all time prior to the season, his numbers pale in comparison to other NL outfielders.  None of this should matter, but because Bud Selig changed the game’s meaning, all of it does.

I think Charlie Manuel got it right by not picking Stephen Strasburg for the All-Star game this year. Although it would be amazing — and probably good for the game — to have the kid out there with that heat and that curveball, putting him in the game would mean another player was left out. That player would probably be Evan Meek. Most of you have probably never heard of him, but Manuel plucked him out of the NL’s Triple-A team, also known as the Pittsburgh Pirates. His fantastic ERA (0.98) and WHIP (0.87) make him a linchpin in the NL bullpen. Strasburg will get his All-Star nods, so why rush him now with when he’s already got an innings limit this year?

While I agree with the Strasburg decision, an entire team of pitchers was ignored. No Padres pitcher made the All-Star game even though San Diego has the best earned-run average in baseball.

As for the American League, I think the fans and managers got it right for the most part. I could throw in a few deserving names that were left off the list — Paul Konerko, Brennan Boesch, Michael Young, Jared Weaver, Shin-Soo Choo — but I would just be nitpicking.  Weaver got the invite after CC Sabathia was named ineligible since he’s pitching for the Yankees on Sunday.  The problem is, Weaver is also pitching on Sunday.  Now they’ll need a second replacement for Sabathia AND Weaver.

If the game had no meaning, I’d have no problems with any player picked or snubbed and could just enjoy the game for what it is/should be. Still, I know exactly where I’ll be on Tuesday: on my couch, feet up, brew in-hand, and watching the MLB All-Star game.

Although I don’t buy into all the ridiculous urban myths about Philadelphia fans (see the Santa incident that happened some 40+ years ago), I still will admit that we are a tough fanbase to please. We appreciate hustle and hard work and we’ll let the athletes know when we don’t like something.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel came out with a rather interesting quote, though, that I scratched my brain over.

“Our fans are still really into everything. They fill our ballpark up and they stay,” Manuel said. “I notice sometimes if fans are near our dugout and talking to our players, they always want to talk about last year. That’s good. I want them to keep coming to the games. But I want the fans to start telling them they want to win this year, too. Of course they love us and everything, but maybe they should get on them a little bit.”

Has Philly lost that edge after the Phillies’ magical 2008 championship run? Take a look at the 2008 playoffs, when the Phils didn’t lose a home game during the postseason. It was a house of horrors for visiting teams. In the 2009 season, however, the Phils’ home record is abysmal, while the road record is one of the best in the majors. How can that be?

I know that after 2008, I personally became slightly complacent. I’ve been hard at work shooting a new film most of the spring and summer so far and haven’t been able to pay as much attention to my Fightin’ Phils. I haven’t been getting angry or even that concerned over the poor starting-pitcher ERA and alarming number of home runs given up in the early going. Brad Lidge has blown several saves already and has an ERA over 9.00. Have I become so satisfied with the championship that I’ve granted the Phils a free pass?

During the Eagles’ 2008-09 playoff run, I know that I wasn’t too happy with their performance (or lack thereof) in the NFC Championship game. I felt angry and betrayed, as usual, with the Birds. But I seem to have been forgiven the Phils for past, present and future boneheaded mistakes.

Maybe Manuel has a point. Part of what gives the Phils such an edge at Citizens Bank Park is the cozy confines of the crowd. We push them to perform with greatness while intimidating the opposition. It seems the opposition plays carefree right now and the fans are forgiving of the home team’s mediocre play.

I do wonder though if it’s smart, though, to invite the storm and clouds to return to Philly. The worst thing in the world is to awaken sleeping giants.