Back in 1933, Arch Ward, the sports editor of the Chicago Tribune, convinced the reluctant Major League Baseball team owners to stage a game between the National League and American League All-Stars. This event would coincide with Chicago’s Century of Progress Exposition. The country was mired in a horrendous economic downturn. Fans were staying away from the ballparks. Baseball needed a shot in the arm to reignite fan interest. The Major League All-Star game was it. Stoked in the tradition of “America’s Game,” baseball’s long standing identification with everything patriotic, appealed to the sensibilities of citizens of every socio-economic class. This year’s All-Star game struck the very same chords under similar circumstances.
Owners, as always, have witnessed a decline in attendance figures due to the economic downturn. In many of the owner’s eyes, and that of baseball executives, the institution of baseball has been tarnished by player’s use of performance enhancing drugs. They have to put up a united front whether or not they believe this to be true. The 2009 Major League All-Star game was going to begin the healing process, for fans, for America, for the game itself. Somewhere someone is playing the Battle Hymn of the Republic at this very moment. What better place for this to happen than St. Louis, the Crossroads of America.
The sports fans in St. Louis are some of the finest to be found anywhere, particularly when it comes to baseball. This was quite apparent during player introductions prior to last night’s game. St. Louis is a National League town, even though the perennial American League doormats, the St. Louis Browns played there many years back before finally realizing St. Louis was Cardinal territory, and the franchise moved on to Baltimore. When each AL substitute was introduced, they received applause that qualified as more than cordial. The look of wonderment on Nelson Cruz’ face as he soaked in the moment, told you everything you needed to know about how gracious the fans are. And these same fans turned it up a notch for those who had a St. Louis connection. Homegrown Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies got a resounding round of applause. The fans cheered loudly for former Cardinal Jason Marquis, who now pitches for the Colorado Rockies. Even Prince Fielder got a nice ovation, even though he plays for St. Louis’ closest competitor, the Milwaukee Brewers. Perhaps the cheers were leftover recognition from the previous evenings Home Run Derby victory. Only the Chicago Cubs Ted Lilly was booed due to the intense rivalry between the Cards and the Cubs. The same response occurred when the starting lineups were introduced.
The boo-birds could be heard when Jason Bay, of the Boston Red Sox was introduced. Before going to the BoSox, Bay was a stalwart for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Maybe St. Louis’ alliance to the National League runs deeper than we’re aware of. Josh Hamilton received quite an ovation. Out of respect for all he has endured maybe? The fans really roared when AL starting pitcher Roy Halladay was introduced. Cardinal fans appreciate an old school throwback bulldog kinda guy. All applause that greeted each ALer paled to what these fans bestowed on most National Leaguers.
Granted, unlike Fielder’s surprising acknowledgement, Brewer Ryan Braun got jeers instead of cheers. The fans saved all their energies for hometown heroes Albert Pujols, who received a rather lengthy standing ovation, and Yadier Molina, the Cardinal catcher. Fox announcer Joe Buck, obviously so used to fan apathy, did not need to resort to the prompt “Here you go St. Louis,” prior to Pujols introduction. No prompt was necessary. The din rose the moment the number two hitter, Chase Utley, took his place along the first base line. Now that sufficient interest for the game had been generated, Major League Baseball went about the task of repairing its image.
In conjunction with the All-Star theme, the “Go Beyond” program was recognized. The program was outlined by President of the United States, Barack Obama. Following him were the four living Presidents, each profiling an “All-Star” among us. These laudable individuals were community service workers on steroids if you will, irony intended. George Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Jimmy (why not James or Jim, oh that’s right, Jimmy is more folksy, has that “common man” appeal) Carter, all spoke of the wonderful volunteer efforts of four, of the group of about twelve people, who joined the ballplayers on the field. Once the touching pre-recorded message completely aired, with everyone already applauding madly, again feels the need for a prompt. Buck implores the crowd that is already on their feet, to stand and show their appreciation for these great folks. It cheapened a really stirring moment if you ask me. Particularly when at the precise instant Buck is urging the fans to rise, the camera is zoomed in on a father, who is wiping away a tear while his arm is around his son. He should have remembered what his father taught him, to not say anything, and let the moment speak for itself. However, it was nice Joe Buck was the announcer in the city where he grew up, and his father, Jack Buck, earned his prowess as a great broadcaster. Game on.
Sheryl Crow sang the Star-Spangled Banner. I’ve always wanted to kiss her where she pees, but now, while still hot, she’s stands for so many causes, I don’t find her as appealing as I once did. Got to give her props though, My-T-Fine at age forty-seven. Joe Buck then introduces “the President of the United States of America,” Barack Obama. Just the way Buck said it makes you feel all kinds of patriotic. Talk about reverence, sheesh!I thought a live military band was going to start playing Hail to the Chief; then the camera would pan to the crowd to see all members of Congress standing and applauding. Amid a smattering of boos quickly overwhelmed by cheers, Obama walks out to the mound, not in front of the mound, onto the mound, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. He wore a Chicago White Sox warm up jacket, jeans, and sneakers. Very cool. Unlike past Presidents who tried too hard to convince us they were one of us; Obama really comes off like he is. A little weak armed, Obama at least got the ball to Albert Pujols on the fly. Obama’s small fist pump gesture, confirmed he had not totally embarrassed himself, an expression of relief rather than reaffirmation of aptitude.
In the top of the first, San Francisco Giant Tim Lincecome, was the National League starting pitcher. Lincecome immediately tried to do his best impersonation of former Giant Atlee Hammaker. For those of you who don’t recall Hammaker’s ignominious lone All-Star appearance in 1983; he yielded seven earned runs in two-thirds of an inning, four of those on the only grand slam home run,(by Fred Lynn) in All-Star game history. Lincecome’s teammates on defense also did their best imitations, looking remarkably like Charlie Brown’s all-stars. Before you knew it, the National League was in familiar territory, down by two runs. They’d eventually pull ahead, but then reality set in. American League pitchers combined to set down eighteen straight, six innings worth of NL All-Star hitters.
Unlike the NBA All-Star game, the NHL All-Star game, and the NFL Pro Bowl, officiating is taken seriously. There is no relaxing of the rules in order to increase scoring or prevent injury. The other major sports tend to eliminate the term “defense” altogether, all in the name of fan entertainment. Players get away with things they normally wouldn’t, or shouldn’t during regular season contests. Not so in the baseball All-Star game. Just ask Roy Fosse, or Ted Williams, or Pete Reiser, all injured while participating in the Midsummer Classic. Plate umpires call balls and strikes just the way do every game. Last night, several pitchers dealt with the incredible shrinking strike zone. And if you don’t think the players are into it, you should have seen both squads up against their respective dugout fences while Phillie, Ryan Howard, battled the Twins, Joe Nathan, with two men on for the NLers. Alas, Nathan won that confrontation much to the dismay of the National League stars.
The Players attending last night’s contest were selected by the fans and managers, just like they were seventy-six years ago. The fans, and the game of baseball were uplifted by the contest last evening, just like seventy-six years ago. Hope was instilled in America, if just for a little while, just like it was seventy-six years ago. The game and the nation began to heal, just like it did seventy-six years ago. And the National League lost again last night, just like they did seventy-six years ago. Shit.
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