One Uggla Game

Wow! What a long, boring game. I was literally bored to tears for most of the 2008 All-Star game. The only thing that made the game itself somewhat entertaining was Dan Uggla. At one point, I thought to myself that there would be no possible way that he could top that mistake. Then he did. Many, many, many more times.

I feel bad for the guy, but that was absolutely horrendous. Three errors, three strikeouts and a double play. Dan seemed to have some kind of bad luck mojo cloud hanging over him the entire night.

It's not like any of the other players were much better. Both sides, but especially the American League, wasted opportunity after opportunity to take the lead and end this travesty. No one could do it. I don't know if it's a mark against the hitters or a nod to great pitching. Countless times the bases were loaded with less than two outs and not a run would cross the plate. Unbelievable!

On the Sox side, Crede went 0 for 1 at the plate and did very little work in the field and was replaced quickly. Quentin wasn't so lucky. He came on in the late innings and went 0 for 4 with 1 strikeout, but reached on a Dan Uggla error. Not exactly the greatest efforts in All-Star history, but it was nice to see them play. They both looked like they were having a blast.

It was good to see Luis Aparicio out on the field, but I was left to wonder where Carlton Fisk was. I like Gary Carter, but I think Fisk would have been a better choice to stand alongside Yogi Berra. Why not have all three stand there? Someone screwed up, it would appear.

Of course it wouldn't be a New York All-Star game without a little controversy. Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was loudly booed whenever he went out on the field. I have a hunch that if the New York fans wouldn't have shouted overrated during Papelbon's outing, the American League may have held on to win the game in regulation. I think it's a sad day for New York, when a player's wife is threatened. That's what exactly happened to Jonathan's wife. I can understand the rivalry between the Red Sox and the Yankees, but the Red Sox players are there to help the Yankees players (and other American League players) in a team effort. Leave the booing for the regular season games. It's only an exhibition game, people.

Your 2008 White Sox All-Stars

Will Crede and Quentin even get a chance to play tonight? I hope so, but I'm not going to hold my breath. The White Sox seem to get the shaft in All-Star games, unless the White Sox manager is the one managing the game.

If they get in, I can see Quentin being put into the game in a tight situation at the plate. He does have stellar defense as well, so I could also see him as a late inning defensive replacement. Crede, on the other hand, will most likely be a late inning defensive replacement. If the legend of "Late Inning Joe" has reached Boston, then maybe in the eighth or ninth inning at the plate.

I won't even get into Jermaine Dye not getting voted in. I'm OK with Evan Longoria getting in. Jermaine could probably use the rest. I just hope that it doesn't end up cooling him off. He was red hot going into the break.

My biggest WTF moment came when not a single White Sox pitcher was named to the All-Star team. Huh? I could see Jenks not going because of his little trip to the DL. What about Danks or Floyd? Up until his last start, Floyd had been outstanding. Danks has been more than amazing this year. They have both erased many of the doubts of seasons past.

Linebrink or Dotel couldn't edge their way in there? I don't know. Something fishy is going on with that one. Every team has to be represented, so that does eat into some of the better suited selections going. Riddle me this though. How does A.J. Pierzynski not make it, but Jason Varitek makes the cut? Jason is hitting near the Mendoza line and A.J. is hitting near .300. A.J. is also one of the best catchers to call a game. I smell nepotism.

I suppose it's a blessing in disguise. The team probably can use the four days off more than the exposure of a New York All-Star game. Let's hope that Carlos Quentin and Joe Crede can get in the game and make something happen.

Get Dye To The All-Star Game

Don't forget to vote for Jermaine Dye for the final pick on the American League All-Star roster. Ex-White Sox players Aaron Rowand and Carlos Lee are in the mix for the National League's final spot too.

We voted Scott Podsednik in and punched A.J. for the final spot in seasons past. Let's get Jermaine there. He is batting .308 with 19 home runs and 52 RBI. Jermaine has been on fire the past month and actually deserves to be on the roster.

Don't let the final spot go to the usual East Coast suspects. Vote Jermaine Dye!