I'm thinking that when Yasiel Puig was able to defect from Cuba back in 2012, he never dreamed he would wind up in Minneapolis joining the Klan on All-Star game night a couple years later. Three times at bat -- three strikeouts. Whiff, whiff, whiff. KKK. Plus, he botched a catchable fly ball while playing right field. Definitely not a good day for the artful Dodger.
Derek Jeter continued his amazing run of non-stop class. Now 40, and playing his 20th and last season, Jeter went 2 for 2, including a double, scored a run, and made a sparkling play in the field. He was given a well-deserved standing O when he first came up to bat, and another when he exited the game in the fourth inning. Yours truly is unaware of what products Jeter may endorse, but one of them ought to be Sara Lee, because nobody doesn't like this guy either. So let's see. He's still only 40, a handsome rascal, definitely a multi-millionaire a few times over, and an all-around nice guy. Once retired from baseball, he'll have the time and resources to travel the world and pretty much see and do whatever he wants. Plus, he remains an eligible bachelor. Just a hunch, but the thought here is the soon-to-be former #2 pinstriper will have few problems getting dates. He's lived the "field of dreams" for 20 years. And after this season, when he will no longer be so devoted to the game he loves, and that love becomes available on other fronts, oh my, will they ever come, no pun intended. Ahem.
The Detroit Tiger contingent fared well. Pitcher Max Scherzer got the official win for the AL in the game. Slugger Miguel Cabrera screamed a line drive into the left field stands for a home run. Former Tiger reliever Fernando Rodney (now with the Seattle Mariners) made an appearance and promptly walked the first batter he faced on 4 pitches. Maybe that's why he's a former Tiger. Plus, that thing with wearing his cap crooked has always been stupid. Then again, his name is Rodney, right? He's not supposed to get any respect.
In the very cool deparment was how it worked out for Glen Perkins, and hats off to AL manager John Ferrell of the Bosox for how he handled it. Perkins was born and raised in Minnesota, and now plays for the Twins. Though maybe not so well known elsewhere, Perkins was sort of a home town hero. He came in and pitched a flawless ninth inning to get the save.
All in all, a terrific game that featured a little bit of everything. A homer, doubles, a triple, stolen base, good pitching, good hitting, a crazy wild pitch that bounced off the backstop and right back to the catcher, and both great and not-so-great defensive plays.
Alas, not all was well. Former Yankee super-star Robinson Cano, now Rodney's teammate in Seattle, struck out on a pitch that bounced up to the plate. Not much respect warranted there either. Here's to you Mr. Robinson -- Jesus loves you more than you will know, wo, wo, wo, but methinks he made a big mistake trading in the Yankee pinstripes to go to Seattle. All for a few extra million bucks he doesn't need. I mean, what's the difference between $20 and $24 million dollars a year? No sane person can possibly spend that much money, and it's obscene either way. But Pete Rose put it best a while back. Charlie Hustle said Cano not only got a big raise, but also another month of vacation every year. It's called October. Touche. In the meantime, it's Seattle. The raindrops keep falling on his head. I wonder if he had B. J. Thomas as an agent?
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