You guys have no idea how tempted I was to entitle this post as "Tex to the Pirates ???"  Furthermore, I can't believe I, as well as several others, actually stayed up to watch the All-star game until 1:35 a.m. EST.  But, since it's boring at work for me, and writing helps pass time, I sit here, a typing fool.

For what it's worth, it was an exciting game, and pretty much every possible scenario for excitement was shown.  Plays at the plate, good defense, clutch hitting, hits-and-runs, etc.  Lots of reasons to get up and cheer, even if the game means absolutely jack nowadays.  But those are all things that have been said before, and I'll keep that can of worms closed.

I was hoping for a tie-game again, just because that would've amused me greatly, but we can thank Brad Lidge for remembering that he's Brad Lidge, and for blowing a critical situation.  But hey, like I said about Rivera, the ASG was as good of time as any to get that suck out of your system and get back to the regular season.  Unfortunately for Lidge, it cost the National League a 12th year of putting up with the collective circle jerk of the entire sports world claiming that the American League is better.  We uh... won the... celebrity softball game?

Anyway - time to bring the photos.

Chipper and McCann are absolved, because Chipper logged the first hit for the National League, and the only hit off of Cliff Lee.  And he's one of us, and far be it for me to make fun of him in the capacity that I've got for the guys I've got in mind.  McCann is absolved because he hardly got to play; as many theorized, the hit on the wrist might've had something to do with it, but with Webb and Kazmir getting PT, McCann's insertion was inevitable.  Kinda sucks to be him, to get the call to warm up and prepare, at like 1:20 a.m., but we've seen more All-star tomfoolery before, I suppose.  I would've at least hoped for him to get an AB.

Hanley Ramirez is also absolved, because he actually played better than any of the other NL East All-Stars.

But anyhow, I present to you, our 2008 NL East "All-Stars":

Cristian Guzman, SS, Washington Nationals - 0-3, CS, 3 LOB
Totally made the team on technicality, regardless of his league-leading hits total.  And ironically, the guy didn't get to play a single inning at shortstop, due to Clint Hurdle's managerial brilliance.  But he got the job done at 3B, so I can't make fun of him too much.  Sucks that he got caught stealing, though.

Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies - 1-3, 1K, 1 LOB, E4 (it was an error!)
Poor throws from Soto and Martin led to Utley getting plenty dirty.  Brian McCann rules.

David Wright, 3B, New York Mets - 1-3, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 LOB
Looked pathetic in his first two ABs, and a broken bat single.  LaRussa got grilled for not putting in Pujols.  Hurdle should get grilled for removing him, for Wright.

Billy Wagner, RP, New York Mets - 0.1 IP, BS, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 K
Who else saw this coming?  Just one out, is all he had to get, and Hurdle dropped the ball by playing the match-up game.

The next two are hard - I can't decide who sucked more.  I'm quite biased against both, but clearly, one has to suck more than the other.

Brad Lidge, RP, Philadelphia Phillies - 0.2 IP, L, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 K
Well, someone had to be the losing pitcher.  May as well be someone who's used to losing on a grand stage.  Sure, he cost us the game, but it's not all on him.  I can take solace in knowing that I got to use blown.gif on Lidge at least once this season.

Dan Uggla, 2B, Florida Marlins - 0-4, 3 K, GIDP, 6 LOB, E4, E4, E4
AMERICAN LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Wow.  I don't think I've ever seen a more pitiful single-game performance in my entire life.  Seriously.  The "F" on his hat sure as hell didn't stand for "Florida."  Sure, it's an exhibition game, but no matter what Uggla says, his name will go down in history for the 2008 ASG.  Whenever anyone in future ASGs has a bad showing, they'll be compared to the 08 Dan Uggla.  Not only could he not bring it offensively, he couldn't bring it with the D either.  No matter what Uggla says, this kind of showing really could affect his regular season.  The Home Run Derby "might've messed up his swing."  Everyone saw the game - they might not let him forget it.  This is the time where a professional ballplayer either gets fired up and goes on a tear, or shrivels up and dies.  I'm hoping for the latter, for the sake of the Braves' future, and the setting right of the NL East.

And there we have our NL East "All-Stars."  With the aforementioned exceptions, the NL East's representatives get a great big old FAIL.

Pujols, I can't wait for Braves Baseball to start up again.  Going to the games on Friday and Saturday likely.

Oh yeah - Erin Andrews.