The All-Star Game

I'm not a big fan of the All-Star game deciding home field advantage in the World Series. I feel the game should be played primarily for fun. There are 162 regular season games played which can decide home field advantage.

Yes, Soriano was animated after his two-run blast in the bottom of the ninth made it a one-run game. Dmitri Young was bopping and smiling in the dugout as the NL loaded the bases thanks to three walks. The only person who didn't seem to be enjoying himself was AL manager Jim Leyland. Well, him and J.J., who gave up Soriano's homer.

And I have to admit, I was on the edge of my seat too.

Then again, I probably would have been anyway. The players would probably have been juiced too, given that they are hyper-competitive athletes. The managers might have been a little more relaxed, but they probably enjoy bragging rights too. Plus home field advantage is only going to matter to two teams. Did Gil Meche really care about gaining home field advantage for his league?

The art of negotiation

Mark Buehrle wanted to stay with the Chicago White Sox. His teammates wanted him to stay with the Chicago White Sox. The Chicago White Sox wanted him to stay with the Chicago White Sox.

And yet it looked, briefly, like Mark Buehrle might be leaving the Chicago White Sox.

He isn't now, having signed a four-year, $56 million deal. But the mere fact that it was even in doubt goes to show how ridiculous contract negotiations can be in professional sports. ESPN.com ran a story on July 7 written by Buster Olney that said, "Now it appears that his [Buehrle's] contract talks have broken down for good, and he may soon be traded."

The mind boggles.

Stalled

Is what this blog is.

Just like the Yankees.

Paul is busy touring - mutil-talented is my young american friend - while I have been busy working. I've also had to replace my laptop, which took much longer than it needed to. I now have a new laptop but it refuses to connect to the internet. These are the problems of living in a developing economy.

Once Paul is done touring, he will be moving to New York (the state, not the city), where he will begin teaching little kids math and coach 'em at baseball and soccer. He will, hopefully, also start contributing to this blog again. In the mean time, we'll have a couple of other contributors too. I'll let them introduce themselves when they sign up.

I'll also add, very quickly, that I have been very surprised by the Detroit Tigers this year. I was expecting a "sophomore slump", figuring last year would be a tough act to follow with everyone expecting the team to be as good this year.

I could not have been more wrong.

The team is only a half game out from having the best record in the major league, and is probably playing the best baseball of any team heading into the All-Star break. Once the Tigers get their relief pitching in order, I'd be afraid. Very afraid.