A couple of releases today. Nice to have on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
This one is from MLB.com regarding the All-Star Game Final Vote. The All-Star teams for the National and American Leagues were announced today.
2009 ALL-STAR GAME SPRINT FINAL VOTE AVAILABLE ONLY ON MLB.COMOnline balloting for final player on each All-Star Team continues through July 9
NEW YORK, July 5, 2009 – American and National League All-Star Team managers Joe Maddon and Charlie Manuel, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, have announced the candidates for the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote to be held exclusively on MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, and the individual Club Web sites.Fans began casting votes for the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote on MLB.com and the Club sites immediately following today’s Major League Baseball All-Star Selection Show presented by Pepsi on TBS and can continue until balloting concludes at 4 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, July 9. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will be announced on MLB.com shortly thereafter. Last year’s program saw a record 47.8 million votes.
The five candidates for the final roster spot on the 2009 American League All-Star Team are: Chone Figgins of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers; Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers; Adam Lind of the Toronto Blue Jays; and Carlos Pena of the Tampa Bay Rays.
On the National League side, the five players on the ballot for the final roster spot are: Cristian Guzman of the Washington Nationals; Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers; Mark Reynolds of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants; and Shane Victorino of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Mobile voting is available exclusively on Sprint capable mobile phones and fans can send the word “Vote” to 1122 to receive the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote ballot. Standard text rates apply. In Canada, fans should text the word “Vote” to 88555.
The All-Star Game Final Vote program has seen nearly 140 million votes cast since its inception in 2002, including last year’s record-setting total when fans chose Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays and Corey Hart of the Milwaukee Brewers. Previous winners of the All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote are: Hideki Okajima (AL, 2007); Chris Young (NL, 2007); A.J. Pierzynski (AL, 2006); Nomar Garciaparra (NL, 2006); Scott Podsednik (AL, 2005); Roy Oswalt (NL, 2005); Hideki Matsui (AL, 2004); Bobby Abreu (NL, 2004); Jason Varitek (AL, 2003); Geoff Jenkins (NL, 2003); Johnny Damon (AL, 2002); and Andruw Jones (NL, 2002).
Last week, MLB.com announced record totals of 223.5 million votes and 17.8 million ballots for the 16 starting position players via the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot, which concluded on July 2.
The 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT)/7:00 p.m. (CDT).
The fine people at Turner Sports are some of the most efficient in sports television. When a program is finished, a press release is churned out almost immediately. A NASCAR race is finished at 5 p.m., the release is ready by 6 p.m. In this case, the release for the MLB All-Star Game Selection Show on TBS is out, just mere hours after it aired.
Notes from TBS’ Exclusive Coverage of the MLB All-Star Selection Show – July 5, 2009Quote of the Day:
“First base is where we have all the big hitters. (Albert) Pujols was the fan favorite and he ran away with the (fan voting). I picked Ryan Howard from my team because I felt like I wanted him to go. I couldn’t by pass Prince Fielder and (Adrian) Gonzalez definitely deserves to be there. I think that was the toughest position because we overloaded it at first base.”
— Phillies and Natinal League All-Star manager Charlie Manuel on the toughest position to fill on the NL roster
TBS Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken and David Wells
American League All-Stars
C – Joe Mauer (Twins)*, Victor Martinez (Indians)
1B – Mark Teixeira (Yankees)*, Justin Morneau (Twins), Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox)
2B – Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox)*, Aaron Hill (Blue Jays)
SS – Derek Jeter (Yankees)*, Jason Bartlett (Rays)
3B – Evan Longoria (Rays)*, Michael Young (Rangers)
OF – Jason Bay (Red Sox)*, Josh Hamilton (Rangers)*, Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners)*, Carl Crawford (Rays), Curtis Granderson (Tigers), Torii Hunter (Twins), Adam Jones (Orioles), Ben Zobrist (Rays)
P – Andrew Bailey (A’s), Josh Beckett (Red Sox), Mark Buerhle (White Sox), Brian Fuentes (Angels), Zack Greinke (Royals), Roy Halladay (Blue Jays), Felix Hernandez (Mariners), Edwin Jackson (Tigers), Joe Nathan (Twins), Jonathan Papelbon (Red Sox), Mariano Rivera (Yankees), Justin Verlander (Tigers), Tim Wakefield (Red Sox)
National League All-Stars
C – Yadier Molina (Cardinals)*, Brian McCann (Braves)
1B – Albert Pujols (Cardinals)*, Prince Fielder (Brewers), Adrian Gonzalez (Padres), Ryan Howard (Phil
lies)2B – Chase Utley (Phillies)*, Orlando Hudson (Dodgers), Freddy Sanchez (Pirates)
SS – Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)*, Miguel Tejada (Astros)
3B – David Wright (Mets)*, Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals)
OF – Carlos Beltran (Mets)*, Ryan Braun (Brewers)*, Raul Ibañez (Phillies)*, Brad Hawpe (Rockies), Hunter Pence (Astros), Justin Upton (Diamondbacks)
P – Heath Bell (Padres), Chad Billingsley (Dodgers), Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers), Matt Cain (Giants), Francisco Cordero (Reds), Ryan Franklin (Cardinals), Dan Haren (Diamondbacks), Josh Johnson (Marlins), Ted Lilly (Cubs), Tim Lincecum (Giants), Jason Marquis (Rockies), Francisco Rodriguez (Mets), Johan Santana (Mets)
*Fan elected starter
Wells on Yankees shortstop and ten-time All-Star Derek Jeter: “(Jeter) is a phenom at shortstop. I was lucky in my career to have Cal Ripken and Tony Fernandez play behind me. When I went to New York and had this young kid (Jeter) play behind me after I played with Ripken, I didn’t miss a beat. This guy knows how to play the hitters and he positions himself well up the middle or in the hole and he makes these great plays.”
Ripken on Twins catcher and 2009 All-Star starter Joe Mauer: “The thing about Joe (Mauer) is that he makes it look easy all the way around and he’s always under control with the bat. He doesn’t seem to get fooled by a pitch, he waits a long time and he’s a batting champion. Don’t underestimate his power. I think as he plays the game longer, he’s got a chance to be a home run chance as well.”
Rays third baseman Evan Longoria joined the TBS studio show via satellite to discuss his first selection to the MLB All-Star team.
Longoria on if he has experienced the ‘sophomore slump’: “At the beginning of the year, I was really hot and got off to a good start. That was good for me after hearing about the ‘sophomore slump’ and how it’s tougher your second time around the league. I was excited to get off to that good of a start but I’ve noticed that teams are doing a lot more and changing up their plan when I come up to the plate and it’s been tough. I’ve had to make those adjustments and that’s fun for me to try and stay with them and keep enjoying being out there.”
Longoria on the difference between this season and last season for the Rays: “Last year, we manufactured a lot of runs and (played) a lot of small ball. Late in the year we had a lot of big hits in big situations. This year, after playing in the postseason under the bright lights in front of all the fans, the games that you play on a normal basis become a little easier to play. I think a years-worth of experience and being in the postseason relaxed a lot of our hitters and allows them to play our game.”
Ripken on Marlins shortstop two-time All-Star Hanley Ramirez: “When scouts describe someone as a five-tool player, I get so tired of it because it seems like a gimmick. (Hanley Ramirez) has all the tools. The only flaw in his game is that he makes some errors at shortstop because he takes a lot of chances. But he keeps getting better and better. He’s the kind of guy you want to start a franchise with.”
Wells on Cardinals first baseman and NL All-Star starter Albert Pujols: “Albert Pujols doesn’t seem like he has any holes. He’s very intimidating; he stands up there, waits for his pitch and goes after it. So you can’t make a mistake with Albert Pujols.”
Eckersley on Mets third baseman and four-time All-Star David Wright: “I love the way (David Wright) plays the game. He plays the game hard, he’s a good offensive player and this year, he’s the last man standing with the Mets. He’s been a steady player and I love the way he’s gone about it.”
Phillies second baseman Chase Utley joined the TBS studio show via satellite after learning of his selection to the MLB All-Star team.
Utley on what player did he look up to when he was growing up: “There were a bunch of guys that I looked up to. Once I got to high school and I started developing a little bit, I was a huge (White Sox DH) Jim Thome fan. He was a guy that I really enjoyed watching. He’d hit the ball a mile and I’d try to intimidate that but it didn’t work out as well. He was the guy that I looked up to.”
Utley on teammate Raul Ibanez who made the All-Star Game for the first time in his career: “I’m so excited for Raul and he’s done an outstanding job for us this year. He plays great defense and he’s swinging the bat extremely well. He’s been a huge part of our success this season. He’s been banged up a little bit the last few weeks so hopefully he can come back soon and represent the National League (in the All-Star Game). He’s a guy who has been around a while and worked so hard and to make his first All-Star Game is pretty special.”
Eckersley on Giants pitcher and two-time All-Star Tim Lincecum: “I thought I had long moss (hair)…check out this kid’s moss. It’s down to his shoulders. They call him the “Freak”, last year’s Cy Young Award winner and this guy has got it all. He might be the best pitcher in the National League.”
Ripken on Mets pitcher and four-time All-Star Johan Santana: “(Johan Santana) is the most reliable starter. You know what you’re going to get (with him). His changeup comes out looking exactly like his fastball and he’ll use it anytime in any count. He attacks the strike zone with his changeup.”
Philadelphia Phillies manager and National League All-Star manager Charlie Manuel joined the TBS studio show to discuss making the final All-Star selections.
Manuel on the toughest position to fill on the NL All-Star roster: “First base is where we have all the big hitters. (Albert) Pujols was the fan favorite and he ran away with the (fan voting). I picked Ryan Howard from my team because I felt like I wanted him to go. I couldn’t by pass Prince Fielder and (Adrian) Gonzalez definitely deserves to be there. I think that was the toughest position because we overloaded it at first base.”
Manuel on struggling Phillies starter Cole Hamels: “Coming out of spring training, Cole (Hamels) had problems with his elbow. He also had a short winter and he pitched more for us last year than he’s used to. He’s learning how to pitch a full season at the Major League level. His velocity and his stuff is there but I think he’s had control issues.”
Ripken on Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield who was named to his first All-Star Game: “I loved facing Tim Wakefield because he could get into a softball stance when the ball gets up there. A knuckleballer has difficulty controlling the strike zone because he doesn’t know where (the ball) is going to go. Wakefield has done a remarkable job throughout his career at figuring out how to make adjustments and pitch in the strike zone. (It’s) well deserved and I’m really glad that he’s at the All-Star Game.”
Eckersley on Yankees pitcher and ten-time All-Star Mariano Rivera: “This guy is the classiest guy in the game. (He’s the) ‘Iceman” with no emotion, no pointing at people, no pointing to the sky. He’s about (post-game) handshakes, getting into the game and getting out. This guy is too cool for school.”
Ripken on Orioles outfielder and first-time All-Star Adam Jones: “(Adam Jones is) going to be a great player. He plays centerfield like (former Oriole) Paul Blair. He plays really shallow and if you hit one over his head, you have to earn it.”
Eckersley on Rays infielder and first-time All-Star Ben Zobrist: “(Ben Zobrist is) the biggest surprise of the year, no doubt about it”
Rays manager and American League All-Star manager Joe Maddon joined the TBS studio show to discuss his role in selecting the remaining American League All-Stars.
Maddon on picking first time All Stars Red Sox veteran Tim Wakefield and Athletics rookie Andrew Bailey: “With (Tim) Wakefield, I’ve been a fan of his for many years and he’s having a great season. It’s about time he got elected to an All-Star Game and I was happy to do that. With Andrew Bailey, he had to pick somebody from Oakland and we had played him earlier this season. He’s got electric stuff and he’s very aggressive in the strike zone. He throws strikes and he’s done a great job for the A’s this year.”
Maddon on Tigers pitcher Edwin Jackson who he managed in Tampa: “I’m happy for Edwin (Jackson), he was a big part of what he did last year. He’s a tremendous young talent. We knew that at any time, he could turn into this type of pitcher.”
And here’s another release from Turner Sports, quotage from TNT’s coverage of the NASCAR race at Daytona last night.
Notes from TNT’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coverage – Saturday, July 04, 2009For the first time ever, TNT’s Wide Open Coverage featured no missed laps of green flag racing during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.
TNT’s coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series concludes on Saturday, July 11 from Chicagoland Speedway. NASCAR on TNT Live! begins at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by Countdown to Green at 7:30 p.m. ET. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing begins at 8 p.m. ET.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I don’t know if I was real proud of that but I don’t know what else I could have I done there. I went where I had to go and he went where he had to go. You just hate seeing a guy who’s been up front all day, especially a guy that helped me the whole race, get wrecked like that. I don’t like winning them like that.”
— No. 14 Tony Stewart on winning in the final lap after a collision with No. 18 Kyle Busch
NASCAR on TNT Live! from Daytona International Speedway
Marc Fein (host), Larry McReynolds (analyst) and Kyle Petty (analyst)
Petty on the gravity of racing at Daytona International Speedway: “It’s Daytona and that’s all that needs to be said. Churchill Downs, Indianapolis Raceway for open wheel racing, Boston Garden where the Celtics used to play, so many sports arenas. This is the Holy Grail, this is the Mecca of stock car racing. It’s not the 500 (in February), but it’s still the Daytona 400 and it’s still Daytona.”
McReynolds on NASCAR’s substance abuse policy: “I support (NASCAR) very, very much being very aggressive with the substance abuse policy. Our athletes, they do not have a baseball bat, a football or basketball, they have 3,550 pound race cars with over 800 horsepower driving off in the corners at over 200 miles per hour. And right here driving at 55 miles per hour where there are crew members out there on pit road. I think NASCAR has to be as aggressive as any sport out there with their substance abuse policy.”
Petty on the recent court case involving driver Jeremy Mayfield who challenged NASCAR banning him after a drug test: “We are independent contractors and that’s why Jeremy (Mayfield) is fighting so hard. If I believe I’m innocent on anything I’m going to fight for it, and that’s why Jeremy Mayfield is fighting so hard. So you’ve got to give him kudos and you’ve got to give NASCAR credit for standing up and fighting for their substance abuse policy. We’re going to have a better policy in the sport when this is all said and done, the loopholes will be closed. I’m not a legal scholar, I’m not a doctor and I can’t address any of those issues, and I’m not going to. As Larry said, this is not striking out, this is not missing a free throw, this is not missing an extra point. This is a life and death sport and there is not room in this sport for any substance that impairs your ability to drive.”
Legendary driver and current NASCAR owner Richard Petty joined the TNT rig to discuss the 25th anniversary of his 200th and final win on July 4, 1984 in Daytona, along with being in contention for the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Petty on his father Richard wearing a fire suit: “I’ve just got one simple question, does Mama know that you’re in a uniform?”
Richard Petty: “I slipped out and she said, ‘how many laps are you going to make?’ That’s what she was worried about. She said as long as I don’t make but one lap I’ll be able to come home tonight.”
Richard Petty on being one of 25 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame inaugural class: “You’ve got to figure I’ve been here a long time. I think it started with who’s been here the longest. It started with Bill France and then Richard Petty. It’s a great honor to even be mentioned at the same time with a lot of guys whose names are on there. It makes you feel real honored.”
Current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader No. 14 Tony Stewart joined the TNT rig prior to the race.
Stewart on the heat affecting the track conditions: “It is absolutely hot here and we can sit there and wipe our foreheads, but as soon as we get the rag off it’s sweaty again. It’s blistering hot and handling is a premium here versus February. We even talk about in it February of Talladega and Daytona, Daytona is definitely the handling track. The asphalt is worn out but that’s what makes this place fun. That track has heat soaked all day long and it’s going to take a while before the track starts getting some grip in it again.”
Stewart on his old tradition of climbing a fence after he won a race: “I’m too fat to be climbing fences. It was fun to do that, but it’s a lot tougher than it looks, let me tell you. The first time I did it when we won the July Fourth race, I got to the top and I thought, ‘man, what was I doing?’ But it was such a cool view that I did it again the next week. But man, it’s a lot harder than it looks, I can promise you that.”
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ******
Countdown to Green
Marc Fein (host) and Wally Dallenbach (analyst)
TNT’s Wally Dallenbach interviewed No. 5 Mark Martin prior to the race
Martin on how his intensity benefits him: “I’m a real intense guy and I have real hard time relaxing. When it comes time to do business, whether it’s training, driving or anything like that, my intensity is a big benefit.”
Martin on competing in NASCAR at a high level while at the age of 50: “I suppose it is remarkable at this stage in the game and in (NASCAR) with the youth movement that we’ve experienced in the last few years. I’ve even surprised (myself) that I’m a
ble to compete at this level.Martin on how much he’s enjoyed this season: “I would like to freeze (this year) and do it over and over (again).”
Martin on how he has an advantage due to his experience: “There’s something to be said for experience. Obviously, at 50-years-old there are things that decline. My reaction time is not what it was 25 years ago. But what I do with that reaction time is better. I have as much fire and desire every day that I go to the racetrack as any 20-year-old.
TNT’s Lindsay Czarniak interviewed No. 88 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. prior to the race.
Earnhardt, Jr. on why he loves racing at Daytona and the strength of his car in this race: “I love the area, I’ve been coming here for a long time. It’s a fun racetrack, a fun area and a good time in the race car. We’ve got a pretty good car in the National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet. Hopefully all the troops who are watching will appreciate it, especially since it’s July Fourth. We’ve worked real hard to make this car drive good, the engine is amazing. I want to tell all the engine guys back at Hendrick that this is the best motor I’ve had down here in a long time. I can’t thank them enough for all the hard work they’ve done, they’ve made some big gains even since February. It’s pretty awesome.”
TNT’s Matt Yocum interviewed No. 39 Ryan Newman prior to the race.
Newman on driving the U.S. Army car: “All the Armed Forces, all the people who helped to get us to where we are and allow us to do this…there’s a lot more to it than fireworks. We’ll go out there with our U.S. Army Chevrolet and do our best job we possibly can and hopefully have a good run at it.”
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ******
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing: Coke Zero 400 at Daytona
Announcers: Ralph Sheheen (play-by-play), Wally Dallenbach (analyst) and Kyle Petty (analyst); Larry McReynolds (analyst) contributes from the in-field at the TNT Offtrack Robotic Car (TORC)
Pit reporters: Adam Alexander, Lindsay Czarniak, Marty Snider and Matt Yocum
TNT’s Wally Dallenbach spoke to No. 2 Kurt Busch on the radio prior to the green flag dropping.
Busch on scoring the most points at Daytona in the past six races but being unable to win the race: “I think scoring the most points means I just missed the most wrecks. But to have a good car it starts back at the race shop. I want to thank all my guys and all the viewers who root for the Miller Lite Dodge. This is as good car as any and we want to bring it home tonight.”
Dallenbach on No. 11 Denny Hamlin pushing No. 2 Kurt Busch to the front spot early in the race: “When (Hamlin) had him sideways (Busch) was really mad, but he’s really happy right now. When a guy does that, he’s like, ‘what the heck are you doing? Oh, I’m in the lead, it’s ok.’ It’s one thing to get pushed on the straightway, but you don’t want to get hit in the corner because it just turns you sideways.”
Dallenbach on the unscientific method he used to gauge if there was a problem with his car: “I used to say all the time, your butt never lies. What that race car is telling you and what you’re feeling in the seat you can never second guess. I’ll second guess the crew chief, I’ll second guess the tire guys, I’ll second guess everyone, but I won’t second guess my butt. If that car feels like something is wrong than you’ve got to believe it.”
Dallenbach on No. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya being a lap down amongst race leaders: “The leaders don’t have much patience for a guy who is a lap down from the leaders. They want to be on the tail of a guy (who is on the lead lap). Especially coming in for a pit stop, that one or two seconds is critical when you leave pit lane and you don’t want to have a lap car in between you and the guy you’re racing.”
Petty on why No. 00 David Reutimann would attempt to repair his car and return to the race after a wreck: “You say why do we try to put this thing back together? Because we were right there in the cusp of being 12th in points, we are 13th in points or 14th
. We interviewed (Reutimann) out at Sonoma and he said I’d take a 15th place finish and go to the house (rather) than lose time.”
Petty on the impact of pit selection during the race: “That’s why pit selection and qualifying is so important. It all starts when you unload that thing on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning for practice. That’s when everything starts that happens during the course of a race.”
Dallenbach: “And who you pit around. If a guy is going to come in like that (wild) you’ve got to know that going down the road.”
Petty: “People used to always pit next to me when I used to drive because they always knew I was going to wreck or fall out so they knew they’d have an extra pit.”
Dallenbach on the intense driving that is causing minor collisions on the track with only 40 laps left to go: “As it gets closer to the end of the race, you’re going to see more of this. It’s not erratic (driving), but you’re going to see these moves because everyone is trying to protect their real estate right now. You can’t afford to get shuffled to the back.”
Dallenbach on the final three laps of the race: “You’ve got to give it everything you’ve got. You either give a good finish or bring back the steering wheel.”
TNT’s Marty Snider interviewed No. 14 Tony Stewart who won the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.
Stewart on winning in the final lap after a collision with No. 18 Kyle Busch: “I don’t know if I was real proud of that but I don’t know what else I could have I done there. I went where I had to go and he went where he had to go. You just hate seeing a guy who’s been up front all day, especially a guy that helped me the whole race, get wrecked like that. I don’t like winning them like that.”
Stewart on if the accident in the final lap was a product of the drivers doing what they needed to do: “It is but you still don’t like it. You’re kind of forced in that position. I made my move to the outside, got up to his right rear tire and when he went to block us and we were already there. It still doesn’t mean you like it, you don’t want to win that way. That’s not the way you want to win these things. We had a good car all day and you feel bad because you want him to have a good day too but we weren’t going to give it to him. If I did something wrong, I’m sorry. I don’t think I did but I was out there when he moved so you just feel bad about it. It’s not the way you want to win these things.”
Petty on Kyle Busch declining to comment about the finish of the race: “That’s probably good because you can tell he’s upset. I
would be upset too. He had a shot at winning this race and (the accident) happened. That’s probably the best thing to do, not say anything because whatever you say, there are fans out there that love you and fans out there that hate you and the ones who hate you are going to use it against you so keep your mouth shut.”
Unofficial Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Results:
1. No. 14 Tony Stewart
2. No. 48 Jimmie Johnson
3. No. 11 Denny Hamlin
4. No. 99 Carl Edwards
5. No. 2 Kurt Busch
6. No. 47 Marcos Ambrose
7. No. 83 Brian Vickers
8. No. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya
9. No. 17 Matt Kenseth
10. No. 26 Jamie McMurray
That’s it for press releases. Thanks to the MLB.com and Turner Sports for sending them out today.
