Midsummer Classic Memories

"Remember that time that Pau Gasol just let Dwight Howard take a jump shot in his face?"

"Remember the time the NFC tried to pull off that ridiculous play that wouldn't get a lick of thought during the season?"

"How bout that time that both the East and West had double digit goals?"

The answers to these should be along the lines of either, "nope" or "yea, well, that happens every year." The Pro Bowl and the All-Star games in the NBA and NHL aren't as significant to the American people as Major League Baseball's midsummer classic. Sure, America is all about show and star power. But along with that comes the appreciation of hustle and heart. The other All-Star games simply lack the effort that this country enjoys.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the MLB All-Stars are the only ones that try. But reasonably, in the other All-Star showcases, you rarely see a lot of effort on the defensive end. But baseball is different. There aren't any destinations that your team is working the ball towards. No endzones. No nets. No baskets. Which makes it a lot tougher to slack off.

Its a tough concept to explain. In the MLB All-Star game, no pitcher is trying to groove a fastball and no batter wants to strikeout and take a walk back to the dugout. Sure, the game isn't what it used to be. The players don't have the same pride in their leagues that players of the past once had, due to the cases that players move around between leagues more frequently and they already play eachother in interleague play. But the effort is there because it still does matter to the players. And not because the winner gets homefield advantage in the World Series or "it matters" or "it counts" or whatever Bud Selig wants to call it.

The effort shown in the annual showcase of the league's superstars has its roots from past All-Star games. Growing up, whether player or fan, many memories are formed while watching the glorious game. Whether its our grandfathers telling us about the legends they were able to see play together. Or whether its our fathers telling us about how Pete Rose bowled over Ray Fosse. Its the memories that are handed down from our family that give us a reason to appreciate the game and form new memories of our own.

So I give you my top five All-Star game memories:

5. Remember when Torii Hunter robbed Bonds. It was the first inning of the 2002 game in Milwaukee and Barry Bonds hit a deep, high fly ball to right-centerfield and Torii Hunter went up and took it away. It was a fine play on the part of Hunter, who routinely took away homeruns. As Bonds went out to the field, some type of roid-rage took over and he grabbed Hunter and threw him over his shoulder. Well, probably not, but that's what I like to think. I was never a Barry Bonds fan as far back as I can remember so I was pleased to watch a homerun taken away from him.

4. Remember when Ripken switched back to his original position at short and then went yard in his final All-Star game. Alex Rodriguez hasn't done too much in his career that I applaud. But when he switched from his starting shortstop position to third base so Cal Ripken could play his original position, I thought it was so neat. Ripken then got the American League an early lead as his solo homerun a couple innings later put his team on top. He went on to become the MVP of the game.

3. Remember when Ted Williams threw out the first pitch at Fenway. In the 1999 All-Star game at Fenway Park, Ted Williams came out before the game to throw the honorary first pitch. The crowd erupted and I remember that he was then introduced at Fenway as the greatest hitter to ever live (which I agree with, along with Babe Ruth).

2. Remember when Pedro mowed down the NL's best. In the same year, at Fenway Park and as a member of the Red Sox, Pedro Martinez started the game on the mound for the American League. He started the first inning by striking out the side with some of his best stuff (Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, and Sammy Sosa). He then went on to strikeout Mark McGwire to start the second inning and then Jeff Bagwell two batters later. Those are some impressive hitters and potential Hall of Famers.

1. Remember when they played fifteen innings in the last All-Star game at Yankee Stadium. In the best All-Star game that I've ever watched there were some very memorable plays. Both teams grinded out runs with stolen bases and sacrifice flies. It was the way the game should be played. Pitchers were able to work out of jams all game long. Dan Uggla made two or three errors that never ended up hurting the squad as they picked him up. Nate McClouth made a great defensive play and he threw out a runner at home in extra innings. Russell Martin made a great scoop at home on a force play. To end the game, I remember Brad Lidge was on the mound in the midst of a perfect season, and gave up a sacrifice fly to Michael Young to get the AL the walk-off win.

And I'm ready to take away some more memories tonight...

Quick thoughts on George Steinbrenner
As much as I hate the Yankees, I find some kind of respect for a guy like Steinbrenner. He would do whatever it took to win, in a literal sense. Due to the fact that he wasn't the owner of my team, I hated that he could do what he did. The things he did for the Yankee organization were extraordinary. Hate him or love him, you had to respect him. My prayers are with the Steinbrenner family.

RIP George Steinbrenner

--Dan