Find Chicago Cubs Tickets and Bears Tickets

It’s been quite a year for the Houston Astros, huh? They were supposed to be one of the best teams in the National League once they added the ambigously gay duo of Roger and Andy Clettitte, they then traded for the best player on the market in Carlos Beltran and Roger Clettitte got to start the All-Star Game at home, in Houston, for the Astros.

Except they’re in fifth place, Beltran is about to be re-traded, they had their manager sitting in the dugout last night even though the world knows he’s going to get fired today and then Roger Clemens goes out and gives up six runs in the first inning. Muahahahahahahaha! The only thing more perfect was that the damage could have been limited to three runs, except for an error on an easy grounder to the second baseman…Jeff Kent. Houston Astro Jeff Kent.

What was with Fox’s ridiculous Blues Brothers parody? We’d all seen the commercials for about two months leading up to the game, and they were mediocre at best. But did they really need to drive the managers into the stadium in ’70s cars with suicide doors in them? And how great was it that Jack McKeon couldn’t get out of his? Wouldn’t the whole Blues Brothers thing have been more appropriate last year when the game was in Chicago? How obvious is it that they came up with the idea last year but didn’t use it, then just recycled it this year?

Was it just me, or was Jeannie Zelasko dressed like she thought she had a guest starring role last night on the OC? And what was with the hair? It’s what her hair would look like if she had six twelve year olds do it for her at a slumber party.

This will prove how much I obsess over stupid things. When I saw that Carlos Zambrano was finally forced to pitch wearing his home whites, I was hoping he’d go 1-2-3 just to make him think the good looking uniforms were lucky, instead of those hideous blue tops he always picks. And yes, I swore at the TV when Fat Lance Berkman proved to be the only person (not player, mind you, person) in the stadium who couldn’t catch up to Alex Rodriguez’s triple. Now Carlos will never pick the white pinstripes.

You know why so many Astros fans took pictures of Carlos Beltran when he was introduced last night? Because they’ll want photographic evidence that he ever played for Houston.

Danny Kolb’s deal with the devil expired this past weekend, right?

Was I the only one who saw the AL and NL starting lineups walking through the stands and thought, “Hey! The middle of the first round of the NBA Draft has broken out!” That’s my favorite part of the NBA Draft, the “Price is Right” moment when some foreign guy who didn’t know if he’d go in the first round sits in the stands and then runs down the aisle when David Stern says, “Vladimir Stupevich, come on down! You’ve been drafted by the Utah Jazz!”

What genius came up with the idea of having the players risk life and limb by walking across the dugout in spikes, anyway? Half of the guys wore running shoes so they wouldn’t fall off the dugout and have a Tony Lasorda like All-Star Game memory on video.

I’m pretty sure Pudge Rodriguez stayed in the bullpen to warm up Mark Mulder just to avoid the dugout roof walk-o-death.

I was openly rooting for Albie Pujols to fall off the dugout and break his hip. This didn’t happen. Oh, well.

Was Lance Berkman the fattest, slowest center fielder it he history of the All-Star Game? Unless Greg Luzinski ever played center, he was.

I just don’t get why Houston fans love Roger Clettitte so much. Just what has he done for them? Led them to fifth place?

Fox had a mic on Jack McKeon during his pregame pep talk. It went like this.

Fellas, this is a big game for all of us. If we win…it’s pudding for everybody!

I’m only going to write this one more time, Roger Clemens never retired. He pitched in the World Series, then showed up for Spring Training. When did he retire, actually. Personally, I retire every day at noon then come back to work at 1 p.m.

What Fox missed, despite their huge array of cameras was Sammy Sosa giving Roger Clettitte the “Steve Kline salute” after Roger made Sammy run about 800 feet in 30 seconds chasing down the rockets he was giving up to right field.

I have seldom been happier during one of these All-Star Games than I was watching Roger get lit up by the American League. It was a thing of beauty.

By the way, if I was Mike Piazza this would have been my conversation with every batter during that first inning. “Here comes a fastball!” Or, “This one’s the splitter, lay off it. I’ll get you a heater next pitch.” In fact, that may have happened. I hope it did. Roger deserves that.

Nice of Alex Rodriguez to wear Pat Boone’s shoes for the game.

Anybody else notice that Harold Reynolds was the guy who caught Albert Pujols’ automatic double to centerfield? The Baseball Tonight set was just to the right of The Biggio Hump in center field and the ball bounced over the wall and right to Harold.

When Mark Mulder hit Scott Rolen in the ass it was the biggest bruise Rolen’s had there since he stopped rooming with Lassie Edmonds on road trips.

In the bottom of the first, Fox had a shot of Jack McKeon talking to Roger Clettitte and patting him on the back profusely. I think Jack was trying to dislodge whatever caused Roger to choke so badly.

Joe Buck said, “I’m sure McKeon will consult with Clemens’ manager Jimy Williams, since he’s sitting there, but I’d guess Roger is done.”

The conversation went like this:
Jack: Hey Jimy, I think I’m going to pull Roger before he gives up another six runs in the second.
Jimy: Pitch him as much as you want, who gives a s@#$? I’m fired.

I acutally enjoyed the “Pudge Loves Yanni” bit. Is there any doubt that Pudge is a little swooshy now? First he kisses Ugy Urbina after saves, now he likes Yanni?

I liked the audio they had of Joe Torre threatening to go scare Mark Mulder by telling him he wanted him to bat in the third against Randy Johnson.

Stevie Loaiza got to pitch and he walked Barry Bonds. With a five run lead. Pansy.

The Lawnmower made his All-Star debut and caused Joe and Tim to go on effusively about how he might have the best stuff on the Cubs. I’m not arguing. I did think it was inappropriate though of former President Bush to comment, “Of all the pitchers on the Cubs, I like the brown one the best.”

Best line of the night– After Fox played a ridiculous conversation between Jason Giambi and Barry Bonds where Jason told Barry he liked his spikes, McCarver said that “In the history of baseball nothing important has ever been discussed at first between the first baseman and a runner.” The next half inning, Joe Buck said, “Now David Ortiz is on first and he and Albert Pujols will discuss nothing…in Spanish.”

Fat Lance is still running after A-Rod’s “triple.”

Joe Torre had quite a knack last night for sitting right behind that pole in the dugout. After 15 All-Star Games (he’s 13-1-1 as a player and manager) Joe just doesn’t give a damn.

What was with Kevin Kennedy’s suit? He looked like a pock faced undertaker.

For whatever reason, baseball felt the need to “honor” Roger Clemens on the field during the fourth inning. It was another chance for us to see Roger’s bimbo wife (Andy Clettitte) and four inbred offspring, and true to form, the fattest, oldest one can still only say, “Go Yankees!”

Jeff Kent’s defense at second base is just embarassing, isn’t it? That performance last night ranked right up there with Charlie Sheen’s in “Terminal Velocity.”

Nice comparison by Fox of Johnny Estrada and Erik Estrada.

Kevin Kennedy actually said this to Derek Jeter, “You had a rough couple of months, but I talked to Sheffield Gary and he said…”

Sheffield Gary? Is that like a British version of the Yankees right fielder? Is that Kevin’s new thing? Is he going to start calling her Zelasko Jeannie?

For those of you who doubt the great Moises Alou, his single last night made him three for his last six. Yes, I’m being obnoxious. It was nice of him to break out the “inadvertant check swing ground out” for the All-Star audience!

Sammy went 1-2 with an RBI, Moises was 1-2 and Carlos should have pitched a scoreless inning. Not bad.

Nice to hear the Old ’97s during the fade outs after half innings. Very underrated band there. Fox did a nice job last night.

Yes, Ruben Studdard was wearing the infield tarp while he was singing “God Bless America.”

And the most confusing line of the night belonged to Tim McCarver, who took a moment to thank Astros owner Drayton McLane for “rolling out the Minute Maid carpet.”

I still have no idea.

—-

Phil Rogers bores the hell out of us with this pedantic All-Star recap. Don’t even bother.

Phil Rogers just figured out that Mark Mulder is pretty good.

Phil (wow three articles in one night!) says that home field advantage aspect of the All-Star Game is likely here to stay. That’s great. Nobody cares, though.

Seabiscuit’s Jockey says that the Cubs first half was weird. What do you expect with the travelling freak show of media who follow the team around. How can you not have a weird half being tailed by a dwarf (Sullivan) a nitwit (Kiley) a weasel (Offman) and the creepiest man alive (Levine)?

The Bulls are going to sign another guy you’ve never heard of.

It’s entirely possible that this will be the Bulls’ opening day roster. Try not to cringe too hard.

Guards: Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Jannero Pargo, Andres Nocioni, Frank Williams, Moochie Norris, Chris Duhon
Forwards: Tyson Chandler, Luol Deng, Eddie Robinson, Shandon Anderson, Othella Harrington, Ronald DuPree
Centers: Eddy Curry, Antonio Davis

Somebody book Grant Park for late June!

Teddy Greenstein has the easiest job…ever.

Chris DeLuca (in no danger of Mensa membership) says last night was Roger Clemens’ night! Yeah, it went great.

Mike Kiley is always so wrong that if you are hoping the Cubs trade for Nomar, you should now feel free to get your hopes up. This whole thing is just so poorly written I’m surprised it sticks to your computer monitor.

Sammy and Moises want the Cubs to add some offense. They could probably help out a little themselves, too. I’m just saying…

Moron Nocioni.

The Wizard of Roz on Jim Stack.

The Clips are dumping salary like they know a new guy is coming. Hmm.

Stewey on the disciplinary additions to the highly addictive NCAA College Football 2004.

The NY Times with a report on the possible three way deal that would send Nomar to the Cubs, pitching prospects to the Red Sox and Randy Johnson to Boston.

Jimy’s out and Yosemite Sam is in.

The Nets are likely to match the Nug’s offer for Kenyon Martin.

Proving he has no idea what he’s doing, Isiah Thomas is now after Erick Dampier.

If the Knicks and Bulls can ever get the Jamal Crawford trade done (don’t hurry, Pax) the Knicks will try and move Allan Houston, his bad knees and his huge contract. Good luck.

The Bush twins are talking. Great! They’re only 22. I could talk when I was like 16 months old.

Little Barbara’s pretty hot.

Britney’s seen better days. I love the “Britney Diet” thing at the end, too.

Jenna Lewis is going to tell “her own story” about whether or not she released her own sex video.

America’s finest news source with the story of Bill Maher’s all-night argument with a Republican hooker.

Find Chicago Cubs Tickets and Bears Tickets