Early, can't-keep-'em-in thoughts about the All Star game:
Someone had the idea that having Muhammed Ali appear would re-create the magic of the Ted Williams 1999 All-Star appearance. Someone is an unforgiveable fool. "The Greatest" is visibly afflicted with Parkinson's disease, and his uncontrollable shaking was awkward and embarrassing. Derek Jeter showed a national television audience why he is the Captain of the Yankees, salvaging the moment by sparring with The Champ and then urging his All-Star teammates to gather round for a group photo.
Other tidbits - a Keen Eyed Observer predicted that Randy Johnson is coming to the Yankees - the Big Unit had gotten a Big Razor and trimmed his hair and most of his scraggle, clearly prepping for a new "No Facial Hair" regime. The mustache goes when he come to NY (against my wishes, but later for that).
It was great to look at the American League infield and see the 2006 Yankee line-up - Giambi, Soriano, Jeter, and A-Rod.
And have you ever seen an All-Star pitcher actually bat in the first inning? Clemens haters loved watching The Rocket get launched for six runs. But there was a time...!
Anybody else wonder if Piazza was tipping off the batters to Clemens' pitches? The man is 40+ years old, and has NEVER given up 6 runs in the first inning. Hmmm. I smell a conspiracy.
Posted by: TheKid | July 14, 2004 at 08:39 AM
I can't believe you said that. I wondered aloud to my wife last night if that was happening, but we both decided against it. A story like that would be impossible to keep quiet and Piazza would have to know that. Plus, Fox probably had a camera halfway up his arse, so we would have heard him talking to the hitter.
Posted by: David | July 14, 2004 at 09:47 AM
That's very funny.
Posted by: TM | July 14, 2004 at 10:34 AM