Tim Lincecum hasn’t been taken by ambulance to the nearest St. Louis hospital yet, so that’s a start. Still, usually it’s fans of the San Francisco Giants who end up feeling ill after one of their favorite starters pitches in the All-Star Game.
Fred Lynn’s grand slam off Atlee Hammaker, that 989-foot homer Bo Jackson hit off Rick Reuschel, even the mostly-forgotten 3 ER in 0.2 IP effort from John Burkett in 1993 — Giants’ starters have been awful in the Mid-Summer Classic in recent years, the only memorable exception being Jason Schmidt’s 2 scoreless innings in the 2003 All-Star Game.
This is the tough part about having an exhibition in the middle of the regular season in which — as opposed to basketball and hockey — the players actually try. Problem is, when you try and fail in the MLB All-Star Game either in terms of a terrible performance or, even worse, injury, it’s remembered forever.
We know as tonight’s NL starter Lincecum is going to try to strike out every American League hitter from Ichiro to Josh Hamilton, and hopefully he’ll take heed of the advice I’m sure Bruce Bochy and/or Dave Righetti gave him before heading off to St. Louis: don’t overthrow. The Giants’ starting rotation is at once rock solid and completely fragile. A poor outing tonight from the staff ace leading to embarrassment or injury could lead to second half ruin for the Giants. No pressure, though.
Ring around the rosey, Giants call up Posey
— Buster Posey was called up from San Jose (Class A) to Fresno (Triple-A) today, probably meaning the Giants feel like Connecticut (Double-A) would be a waste of time for the star catcher. Posey hit .326 in San Jose with 13 homers and 58 RBI’s. I know this is rampant speculation on my part (hey, what else are blogs for?), but could this mean Bengie Molina could be gone by the non-waiver trade deadline? (Fresno Bee)
— CJ Holley questions if Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay should be the All-Star starters tonight, bringing up the same old tired stuff some valid points about win totals and Dan Haren. Best part about this is the poll at the bottom, under the question, “One game. One pitcher. Who you got?” Out of Lincecum, Halladay, Josh Beckett, Zack Greinke, Haren, Jason Marquis (?), Tim Wakefield (???) and “Someone Else,” Lincecum is pulling 50% of the total vote. (Washington Post)
— Adam Lauridsen got to check out some summer league ball in Vegas (lucky), and after seeing Stephen Curry feels he’s already the best ball handler on the team. Curry can also shoot (of course, we knew that) and defend, but unfortunately he isn’t all that athletic and doesn’t really a point guard. However, Acie Law is a point guard, but he sucks. So there you go. (Fast Break)
— If you put a lot of stock into statistics, don’t expect the 49ers to make the playoffs this season. “The only difference between the Matt Millen-era Lions and the Scot McCloughan-era Niners is context and luck”? Ouch. (49ers Hot Read)
— “The Home Run Derby Will Rot Your Will To Live.” Well, I guess now I’m glad I was stuck watching “Duplicity” on the Vancouver Airport runway yesterday evening. (Deadspin)
— Video game publisher THQ (who’s done very well with UFC Undisputed 2009) got some help from Dana White, who threatened to blacklist any UFC fighter who goes on EA Sports’ MMA game. White’s still pissed that EA told him mixed martial arts isn’t a sport. Side note: at the EA Sports event yesterday in Vancouver, I overheard Dwight Howard say he loves UFC Undisputed at least three times within earshot of EA public relations staff. I’m sure they loved that. (SPORTSbyBROOKS)
— Here’s a pic from the conversation I videotaped between Venus and Dwight. I can’t figure out how to upload such a huge file though, but I’m still trying. (Ball Don’t Lie)
