The All-Star Game, like the Home Run Derby, is still a lot of fun for me, even if Emperor Selig has done his best to ridiculousize the event. The memories are plenty, including recent ones like the Marlon Byrd play that saved the NL’s first win in a long time (we can still think fondly on Marlon Byrd memories, right?).
The game starts at 6:30 CT, which is to say about 45 minutes of pageantry starts at 6:30 CT. The game is being broadcast on FOX, which means Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. No comment needed. Erin Andrews will also be debuting tonight for FOX. No comment needed.
The Cubs’ two representatives this year are Starlin Castro and Bryan LaHair. Each should see some time in the game, with Castro probably getting an inning or two at short, and LaHair getting an at bat (he might see an inning at first base, too). I like the game for the game, but I’m a total homer: I mostly want to see Castro and LaHair. I hope they do something special.
And, of course, I hope the National League wins, right? I mean, otherwise, the Cubs will have to cede home-field advantage in the World Series to the Rangers or Yankees or whoever.
This is your open thread for the game, should you care to partake. We can all talk about how acceptable/lamentable/cool/lame it is when Robinson Cano is mercilessly booed again.