All-Star Break … From Norms!

[dinosaur jesus]

They look like the grounds crew at a non-major PGA tournament.

[Ceetar]

in terms of 'buying' that's probably a small part of it, and it's more about littering the market with options and staggering releases so people are always thinking "buy a jersey"



so like, even if you think this is ugly and stupid, you might pivot and think ...but i liked those cool ones they work a few weeks ago, maybe i'll buy one of those. Same difference to them. (No surprise that Cohen tweeted about the black jerseys in the wake of this)



Only costs Nike like the 4 cents they pay those 40k oversea workers to whip up a new batch.

[Lefty Specialist]

They remind me just a little of the Mercury Mets uniforms. And that's not a good thing.



But yes, there are enough people out there dumb enough to buy these that Nike will turn a profit. And they'll do it again next year, with a different design equally incomprehensible to us fuddy-duddies.

[bmfc1]

The MLB Futures Game will again be held at the same time that MLB games are being played. HOW STUPID IS THAT? The NBA has their rookie game right before the Slam Dunk contest. MLB could have it on Monday afternoon but nooooooooooooo, they play it Sunday afternoon.

Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty will represent the Mets.

https://www.mlb.com/all-star/sunday/futures-game/roster#national-leaguehttps://www.mlb.com/all-star/sunday/futures-game/roster#national-league

[Gwreck]

Don't they usually play the futures game on the Sunday before the ASG? One could argue that it's a ticketholder-friendly move, with the Futures Game Sunday, Home Run Derby Monday, and ASG Tuesday.



I suppose they do have 2 days post-ASG which are wide open.

[bmfc1]

That's what I meant... it's Sunday afternoon.

And move the ASG to Wednesday so the Sunday starting pitchers (e.g. Jake) can pitch.

[bmfc1]

They announced the All-Star starters tonight at 9 PM (while games were being played and an NBA Conference Final was on to ensure minimal coverage). No Mets, of course.

[Gwreck]

If the fans voted for starting pitcher, by how much would deGrom have the lead? Bigger than the gap between any other #1 and #2, yes?

[bmfc1]

=Gwreck post_id=69856 time=1625191595 user_id=56]
If the fans voted for starting pitcher, by how much would deGrom have the lead? Bigger than the gap between any other #1 and #2, yes?

[MFS62]

From Christina Karhl, one of the founders of Baseball Prospectus and currently Sports Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle.

What would be the perfect 2021 moment at the 2021 MLB All-Star Game? Gaylord Perry throws out the honorary first pitch ... and then submits to an ump inspection.

Later

[bmfc1]

Tijuan, Marcus, and E. Diaz all deserve to make the team but I suspect that Jake will be the only Met. With Jake scheduled to pitch on the Sunday before the game (G*d willing), he might be removed from the team (fine with me) so that would create an opening for one of the above.

[Edgy MD]

deGromski named to his fourth team.



Stroman, Walker, and Diaz listed as alternates.

[batmagadanleadoff]

=bmfc1 post_id=70065 time=1625339875 user_id=73]
Tijuan, Marcus, and E. Diaz all deserve to make the team but I suspect that Jake will be the only Met.

[Marshmallowmilkshake]

I think I read Pete is going to be in the Home Run Derby, which is nice.

[Edgy MD]

=batmagadanleadoff post_id=70227 time=1625441960 user_id=68]And that's not even getting into what makes an All-Star in the first place. Should that be based on just the 2021 season? Or more than that?

[Frayed Knot]

So JdG isn't going to the ASG anyway even though not starting on Sunday. And while you can understand that, it's still a shame on a certain level because the two coolest match-ups to see would have been:

1) deGrom pitching to Ohtani

and

2) Ohtani pitching to deGrom

[batmagadanleadoff]

=batmagadanleadoff post_id=70227 time=1625441960 user_id=68]
=bmfc1 post_id=70065 time=1625339875 user_id=73]
Tijuan, Marcus, and E. Diaz all deserve to make the team but I suspect that Jake will be the only Met.

[LWFS]

Rules say that every team has to have a player selected... but not necessarily participating. So... Walker doesn't HAVE to be picked.



The NL is LOADED with SPs, to the extent that even guys like Freddy Peralta (122 K in 87 IP, 2.17 ERA), Walker Buehler (8-1, 2.35), or Joe Musgrove (2.63 ERA AND the no-hitter). Hell, Scherzer (2.10 ERA, just under 13 K/9) and Kershaw (2.8 fWAR, 7th in the majors) are on the outside looking in.



What REALLY sucks is Diaz-- having the best overall year of any reliever not named Josh Hader-- losing out to guys like Alex Reyes (1.54 ERA and 20 saves... with at least half of those coming in lucky, white-knuckle fashion, along with 7 BB/9) and Mark Melancon, who's maybe the fourth best reliever on his TEAM.

[batmagadanleadoff]

=LWFS post_id=70737 time=1625805727 user_id=84]
Rules say that every team has to have a player selected... but not necessarily participating. So... Walker doesn't HAVE to be picked.

[G-Fafif]

Walker named to replace deGrom.

[G-Fafif]

=G-Fafif post_id=70916 time=1625888006 user_id=55]
Walker named to replace deGrom.

[Edgy MD]

Terrific. Good for him. First time, too.

[bmfc1]

SWAP MEET!

I hope the fact that the below .500 WSH now have 3 All-Stars while the 1st Place Mets still have just one is "bulletin board material" in the Mets clubhouse (other than Stroman and Diaz, no one else is deserving but let this fire them up as needed).



On second thought, maybe more Mets should be considered (and some Mets property): http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2021/07/10/dave-roberts-calling/http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2021/07/10/dave-roberts-calling/

[G-Fafif]

Holy fuck.

[Edgy MD]

Yup. Second apparent mass-shooting prevented by a hotel employee this week.

[MFS62]

In case you missed the Futures Game,

Brett Baty went 0-2.

Francisco Alvarez went 1-1 with pinch hit home run.

Later

[Marshmallowmilkshake]

Watching the Home Run Derby.



Pete put on a record-breaking performance, goes to the next round.



Number 8 seed Juan Soto beats Number 1 seed Ohtani, and the ESPN announcers are distraught. Jessica Mendoza actually said, "We can go home now." ESPN seemed focused on making this all about Ohtani, who understandably is an incredible story. Not sure if Stephen A. Smith's ridiculous comments were planned to stir the pot and play to the storyline, or whether he really is that stupid.

[Edgy MD]

I seem to be getting a Japanese feed. Not understanding much, but the announcers are unquestionably subdued.

[Edgy MD]

All the real muscle seems to be in the left side of the draw. Mancini beats Story 13-12 on the right side.



Here comes Juan Soto opening against Alonso in the other semi-final.

[Edgy MD]

Soto is working with a lefty BP pitcher. Mostly hitting to center. And not showing me much.