2009 All-Star Game Thread

by Sky Kalkman on Jul 14, 2009 8:06 PM EDT in Game of the Week

American League All-Stars at National League All-Stars, Jul 14, 2009 8:30 PM EDT

The All-Star Game starts at 8:30 tonight, but pre-game festivities are probably already under way. I'm not going to present the stats for tonight's starters because Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum will pitch two innings max, and, well, we already know they're both really damn good. (Question to stir the pot: what would their ERAs look like if they switched divisions?)

While I'd love to see the players and managers take this game seriously and focus 100% on winning, I realize that's not going to happen and I'm actually a sucker for the pageantry of it all. As a celebration of baseball and many of the game's best players, it's a pretty fun night even without the on-field action.

In addition to discussing the game, feel free to use this thread to ask BtB authors and other readers their opinion on anything -- the first half of the season, trade deadline possibilities, predictions for the rest of the season, or anything about saber-slanted analysis. I know I'll be around all day and all night and enjoy answering questions and making stuff up.

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Where was the Celebrity Softball Game Thread?

When will this blog stop being so baseball biased and start following other relevant sports?

by JBrew on Jul 14, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Nelly was MVP easily.

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by Jack Moore on Jul 14, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

BUT, KNIGHT WAS SO INSPIRING!!!!!q!!

@bs_uf15bosox9be:OverTheMonster-ALLERGEN WARNING:May contain PB.

by bdalebs on Jul 14, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a question that hopefully someone can help me with

I’m working on a thread for VEB about Yadi Molina’s ability to throw out base runners and THT has him credited w/ a CS% of 34.8% but B-R has him at 44%. From what I can tell, B-R has him w/ 4 more caught stealings than THT and I can only assume those 4 caught stealings are, in fact, pickoffs where he threw behind the runner as he was leading off the base. My question is why does THT not count those as caught stealings? By picking off those 4 runners, he’s having a huge impact on the offensive team’s ability to score. The pickoff should be as mathematically significant as a regular caught stealing. Why the discrepancy then? Thanks and I’ll take your answer off the air!

by chuckb on Jul 14, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

One site might be counting PITCHER pickoffs while the other one isn't.

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 14, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Pickoffs aren't necessarily as significant as CS

Because only about 50% of the pickoffs actually end in an out I think. But if they are actually outs, then yes, they should be pretty close to a caught stealing.

I can tell you THT’s data set doesn’t appear to have pickoffs included – at least not separately from caught stealing.

Without looking at Gameday data (which I don’t have parsed to that level), I don’t know what to tell you. I think Colin might have that information if he comes around.

by Dan Turkenkopf on Jul 14, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

MLB.com

also has Yadi at 12 of 27 (like B-R) but THT seems to have him at 8 of 23 (just doing the math). The 4 for 4 difference, it would seem to me, could only be runners that the catcher has picked off of a base, and I know that Yadi has picked several runners off of 1st w/ that play he runs w/ Pujols.

by chuckb on Jul 14, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions

FOX's pre-game bumper music is so... unFOX-like.

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 14, 2009 8:07 PM EDT reply actions

Wait, we should NOT try Tim Lincecum's motion at home?

Why not? Because there’s a risk I might turn into Tim Lincecum?

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 14, 2009 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

are we allowed to try his haircut at home?

that also looks dangerous.

by Lum on Jul 14, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Just don't go outside.

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 14, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Because one out-of-shape kid or crazed fan tries it and pulls his back...

And Lincecum and the MLB gets sued.

@bs_uf15bosox9be:OverTheMonster-ALLERGEN WARNING:May contain PB.

by bdalebs on Jul 14, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

That Mauer kid is pretty good

I remember how much I bitched about the system when the Twins chose him rather than Mark Prior in the draft. It’s amazing how far each has come in the last several years.

by chuckb on Jul 14, 2009 10:06 PM EDT reply actions