Braves Catcher Brian McCann Delivers For The NL In All-Star Game
by gondeee on Jul 14, 2010 12:06 AM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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The National League finally FINALLY won the All-Star game, and it was in large part thanks to the Braves catcher. Brian McCann had the biggest hit for the National League in more than a decade.
With one out in the seventh inning and the bases loaded, McCann popped up a pitch to right field that barely made it into the stands for strike one. The next pitch from left-handed pitcher Matt Thornton was a 98 mph fastball that McCann turned on and laced down the right field line, clearing the bases and giving the National League their only runs on the night -- enough for a 3-to-1 win.
It was a huge hit for McCann. The three-run double was the first hit he's collected in five total All-Star at-bats spanning his five consecutive years as an All-Star. After the game he was named the MVP of the All-Star game for that clutch hit, which sent the NL to their first win since 1996. McCann was the first Braves player to win the All-Star game MVP since 1994 when Fred McGriff won the award.
Martin Prado started at second base, going 0-for-3, but he put every ball in play -- which is saying something with the kind of heat all those pitchers were throwing. Neither Omar Infante nor Tim Hudson got into the game.
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gotta love this guy
did mccarver even mention mccann’s hit…. all i heard was something about steinbrenner and a-rod
That was amazing! I love Brian McCann! Great job Brian. The interview with him was pretty awesome. MVP
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Jul 14, 2010 12:11 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
yeah
Great stuff. I’ve enjoyed Chris Rose more and more, especially ever since he joined MLB Network.
MVP
The man, the myth, the legend coming through. Yadier who?
Yup
Really sad that McCann always gets overlooked. Oh well, it worked out pretty nice for him coming off the bench this year.
Cruel and unusual punishment (n.)-
1. Watching your catcher win the All-Star Game and then having to immediately report fir a graveyard shift instead of celebrating and drinking oneself silly with fellow fans.
2. Any of several punishments outlawed by the Constitution for the sentencing of criminal offenders.
by J-Freak on Jul 14, 2010 12:19 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Tomorrow we’ll go back to the political sniping, natural disasters, sectarian violence, pain, suffering and cruelty. But for tonight, thanks in part to a man from north Georgia and a man with orange shoes and terrible hair, all is right with the world.
I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing Matt Cain.
Amen, sister...
Amen.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
or brother...
as the case may be…
?
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Amazing
That it was a Brave that basically won the ASG for the first time in 14years. And that his team is in first place at the break. Its a sign…Game 1 of WS will be at Turner Field!
A sign indeed.
I’ve been saying for a good while now and this would seem to be an opportune time to say it once again. Our Braves are a …
TEAM OF DESTINY
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is simply meant to be.
Maybe...
if BMac had gotten more than three ABs in the past four years, the NL would have won before now.
GO HEAP!
BRAVES RULE.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
+1
hopefully voters will remember this next year. Or, you know, look at numbers.
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 14, 2010 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Huh, imagine that.
It’s almost like this McCann fellow is good enough to start or something.
by DogDaysofSummer on Jul 14, 2010 12:27 AM EDT reply actions
Yankees are not nearly as strong in pitching as the media makes them out to be.
Especially in middle relief where the “great” joba the hutt reigns.
by DogDaysofSummer on Jul 14, 2010 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I hear this guy Matt Capps is available...
…and he seems to be good about getting out Red Sox and getting wins.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park.
by souldrummer on Jul 14, 2010 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions
is that a pitch?
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 14, 2010 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions
that’s optimistic
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 14, 2010 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn't think Yunel made the AS team
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 14, 2010 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Yunel is at .618
So he would have been a better choice than Molina by that measure (and any other one, really).
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jul 14, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Get it, Mac
Braves get homefield advantage.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 14, 2010 12:32 AM EDT reply actions
The Team Of Destiny!
The last time the NL won the All Star game, the Braves went to the World Series. The last catcher to win All Star MVP was Sandy Alomar, Jr. in 1997, who’s Indians went to the World Series. This is lining up oh-so-nicely…
This win makes me happy!
The birth of Jason Heyward was God’s punishment for the sins of the people in New York and Philly.
by TonyAlmeyda on Jul 14, 2010 12:39 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Meh.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 14, 2010 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL at one of the postgame questions from a reporter
It was something like “Was it hard to take out Yadier in the 5th so McCann can bat?” Who ever that was needs to get a new job because Brian is miles ahead of Molina as far as hitting. Not only that, but it’s a shame that the Cardinal’s catcher even got to start for the NL.
Bottomline, the NL team won.
I don't get it
Its not even close. Just to look at this year:
McCann: GP 76 · AVG .267 · HR 10 · RBI 37 · Runs 40 · SB 3
Molina: GP 79 · AVG .223 · HR 3 · RBI 33 · Runs 17 · SB 6
Molina is a better defensive catcher, but its not McCann is any slouch at that either.
Either way, if you want to have a catcher from the NL to build your team around, I would assume that all GMs would choose McCann. I know I’m biased, but come on the guy is hands down the best with the bat.
let not forget
that McCann was basically in a slump until like June
by drumzalicious on Jul 14, 2010 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions
the fans vote. the system is Bud.....I mean flawed....
and, their are 50x more baseball fans in St Louis. It’s a “baseball town.”
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 14, 2010 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
that bizjournal study last year showed that the Bravos are supposed to have a larger fanbase. Not sure how accurate that is.
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 14, 2010 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Larger in geography, though, too.
Many of the Braves’ fans are spread to all corners of the country, meaning that they don’t get out to Turner Field often. St. Louis, with its more compact fanbase, thus has an easier time with attendance and much more opportunity to stuff the ballot box.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jul 14, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Atlanta is a bigger city than St. Louis, I think...
so there is no reason we can’t stuff the ballot box too. See the Hawks as well, Atlanta fan support is just generally bad except for football. Being a winner helps, cause losers get horrible attendance around here, but even that won’t guarantee good ticket sales. See the Hawks last season, or the Braves in numerous seasons from say 1999-2005. Atlanta just does not come out to support their teams, cause they all seem to routinely have very poor attendance marks.
by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 14, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Don't kid yourself
Cards fans are everywhere, although their outside region fanbase may skew a bit older than the Braves.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
The only bad thing about this was that Brian had to pinch-hit.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 14, 2010 12:41 AM EDT reply actions
But according to a postgame reporter
he basically insinuated that it would be a mistake to replace the “great” yadier with brian so early.
by SmithnCompany on Jul 14, 2010 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
some postgame reporters are fools
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 14, 2010 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Great job BMac!!!
This just might be our year! Breaking news on ESPN… Brian’s grandfather once spent a day in New York City. That is why he was able to win the MVP award.
Braves Win! Braves Win!
brian mccann was once scouted by the phillies, another reason he’s so great
by BravesRaleigh on Jul 14, 2010 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
and even the Cubs!!! (gasp!)
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 14, 2010 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
BMac is going to have alot more fans now!! He killed the post game interviews..
Alone in the world of the little CatDog...
I was getting nervous.
I don’t remember the year, or the brave player. But the NL was set to win. A brave was probably going to be MVP, and Gagne(dodgers closer) blew the save. When Broxton (dodger closer) put their leadoff man on to start the 9th…. Deja vu… Not this year!
Braves Win! Braves Win!
It was Andruw
Not only did Gagne lose Andruw the MVP, but Smoltz was set to come in and close the 9th (Gagne blew it in the bottom of the 8th I think). I also believe Wags pitched a perfect seventh. I remember all game FOX was talking about the “3 Headed Monster” of Wagner, Gagne, and Smoltz at the end of that bullpen, and the manager picked Smoltz to be the closer. Freakin’ Eric Gagne
2003
I was having flashbacks as Randy Hickey seemed to be about to blow the save.
I also loved that asshole Buck bemoaning that Manuel didn’t have another catcher available because he’d probably like to pinch hit for BMac. The echos of that hadn’t even finished reverberating when his ball went to the wall.
"Desperation is a stinky cologne. " - Captain Grady
In Buck’s defense, Heap was batting .000 in 5 years!
RAWR!
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 14, 2010 4:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Best thing is
that the hit came of a lefty. Start of something for HEAP
by Delaware Boiler on Jul 14, 2010 12:58 AM EDT reply actions
+1
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 14, 2010 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions
The last two times the NL has won
A Brave has had a big part (John Smoltz won the game in 1996)
It's hard to say what's been most impressive. The seamless jump from AA? The ability to hit for average? The ability to hit for power? The 18 walks in 111 trips to the plate? The flair for the dramatic? When you're trying to isolate the most impressive aspect of Jason Heyward's game, there's a lot to choose from, and it's only been a month and a half.
In the 1994 NL win
another Brave Fred McGriff had a big game and was the MVP.
Washington Tribune, June 29 2010 – "The stonecutters carving Stephen Strasburg’s name onto the Washington Monument have been directed to await further instructions."
Heap comes through like a MVP
….now maybe everyone will wanna be Atlanta Brave like him
'Bama fan since birth, NIners & Hawks fan since '86, Braves fan since '90
Championships: 'Bama - check. Braves - work in progress. Niners - playoff berth is hoped for. Hawks....maybe in my lifetime
The reactions of Omar, JHey, and Ubaldo are money.
Hopefully the official has Mac receiving the MVP on their video feed manana. Good Good Time
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 14, 2010 1:25 AM EDT reply actions
Oh my goodness...
I’m watching the replay of MLB Network’s post-game show and just saw BMac tell Ashley he loves her!
Take notes, guys.
Love. Love. Love. Brian McCann.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Yup.
She had to stay home in ATL because she’s pregnant.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jul 14, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
He was so nice and respectful…a super representative for the Braves.
Alone in the world of the little CatDog...
by bwellnjonesco on Jul 14, 2010 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9915243
"Lololololololololololololol" - Tim Hudson
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9915243
"Lololololololololololololol" - Tim Hudson
Charlie Manuel is so dumb.
"It’s a big deal. I think home teams play better at home," said NL manager Charlie Manuel
I’ll let you all digest that nugget.
How soon we forget, Charlie got to manage the away team in Philadelphia a few weeks ago
"I've been to two rodeos and three goat ropin's, but I've never seen anything like that" - Joe Simpson on Brooks Conrad's walkoff Grand Slam, 5/20/10
a series in which, contrary to Manuel’s point, the Phillies won two of three.
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 14, 2010 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions
he probably thinks that Philadelphia will still win the NLCS
too bad for him they’re not going to even make the play-offs
...in dixie land i'll take my stand to root for Atlanta
Boy, I am sure glad we had Omar Infante in there – you know, just in case we needed someone to play 5 different positions.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 14, 2010 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey now
This is a rain-free parade, buster. If you must harass, please direct your attention either to Kuo or the Yankees, as the good lord intended.
by J-Freak on Jul 14, 2010 1:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It’s directed at Manuel – that is acceptable, no?
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 14, 2010 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Criticism
of Manuel, the man, persona, and character is acceptable. Criticism of his decisions regarding 29/30 teams is acceptable. But just for tonight, let’s leave his decisions of the Braves complaint-free.
I hate the Phillies so much...
by frozendesert on Jul 14, 2010 5:47 AM EDT up reply actions
This is a rain-free parade, buster. If you must harass, please direct your attention either to Kuo to the Yankees, as the good lord intended.
Taiwan rules!
Atlanta Hawks=the team that drafted big $$$$$$$$$ instead of big men.
Aight.
Their manager is named after an STD.
I hate the Phillies so much...
by frozendesert on Jul 14, 2010 5:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I usually accept logic based arguements
but when someone accidentally (on-purpose, knowingly, or unknowingly) insults anything to do with Taiwan, all that goes out the window. In me, patriotism still lives.
PS: Sorry to sound like an ass.
Atlanta Hawks=the team that drafted big $$$$$$$$$ instead of big men.
I don't care if he's from the moon...
That assbag nearly cost the NL the game.
-C
by cthabeerman on Jul 14, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
ya, Zimmerman’s lack of versatility would have cost us this one.
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 14, 2010 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Meh
You really needed to bring that up again, didn’t you?
So what happens if McCann only drives in 1 run, and we get to the 12th inning? Wouldn’t it be nice to have Infante then?
That was only, only way he was going to come into the game. I don’t see what’s wrong with that. Or would you rather have had Giradi managing? Get to the bottom of the 9th with Ortiz on first base, the catcher at the plate, and A-Rod still on the bench?
All this criticism of Manual/Infante is just stupid. The NL won, McCann was the hero, so enough already, please.
+1,000
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Why would they need Infante then? It was allowed that 1 player could re-enter the game.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 16, 2010 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually
A more acurate statement would be, “teams play worse on the road.” Bill James did some research on it
As much as I would have loved to see Omar single-handedly eat up every Huddy-induced ground ball in extra innings, I don’t think anybody (at least NL fans) can complain with how things went down. Now I wonder if Bobby will send Huddy out Thursday so he can skip Medlen’s spot when it comes around and get him some rest…
And just
why can’t you chop?
I hate the Phillies so much...
by frozendesert on Jul 14, 2010 5:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Seems like this one might come back to bite you frozen.
Especially if he says “Im a paraplegic” or something of the sorts.
Foot → Mouth
I was
willing to take that chance. Mostly because, you know, he typed an pretty long online post.
I hate the Phillies so much...
by frozendesert on Jul 14, 2010 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Checking morning newspapers, it’s heartening to see McCann’s picture on the front page of the Kansas City Star, Los Angeles Times, Riverside Press-Enterprise, Spanish-language daily La Opinion, San Francisco Chronicle, Portland Oregonian and Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Not a word on the front page of the AJC, though I suspect that has more to do with the ASG’s very late finish in the Eastern Time Zone than a deliberate dismissal of the story.
I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing Matt Cain.
"...in large part due to B-Mac..."
In large part????
Getting the only NL RBIs seems to me to be more than a large part. GO FIVE TIME ALL-STAR BRIAN MCCANN!!!!
Brian McCann: Superhero.
Single-handedly delivering the win for the beleaguered NL side. Righting the wrongs of millions of silly St. Louis fans. Making Charlie Manuel somehow seem intelligent. Charming all of America with humility and thoughtfulness.
Is there nothing the man can’t do?
I hope this is but the first of many MVP awards of various stripes for our beloved catcher.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jul 14, 2010 11:02 AM EDT reply actions
Hopefully, the fans will remember this and McCann will FINALLY get to start next year. START THE CAMPAIGN NOW
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
When do the polls open up?
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 14, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Just wonderful
Loves me some Heap. Way to go Brian!
"A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul." - George Bernard Shaw
dont know if anyone caught this but..
McCann claimed to be 8 in 1996. It’s a good thing he is better at hitting than math because that would make him 22
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand." - Leo Durocher
Haha, Math Fail! yeah i caught that. funny stuff. McCann turned 12 in 96
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Jul 14, 2010 6:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Mac
made me proud to wear my Braves scrubs to work today.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
I wore my McCann jersey when going out today
to meet a friend for lunch. I had several people make positive comments about Heap. I am proud to be a Brave fan today and always, yeah, even when we lose:)
It’s an exciting time to be a Braves fan!
Washington Tribune, June 29 2010 – "The stonecutters carving Stephen Strasburg’s name onto the Washington Monument have been directed to await further instructions."
did anyone notice along with the 6 braves(including wags) selected to the all star game there were 5 former braves or braves to be on the rosters. Nice to play the what if game sometimes even with the best record in th NL.
The whole time Wainwright was in
Throwing the ball to McCann, I kept thinking “I should have been seeing this every fifth night for the last four or five years…”
"Desperation is a stinky cologne. " - Captain Grady
I confess to a teary-eyed celebration of BMac last night.
It was so great to see his interview after the game and the MVP award.
He always represents the Braves so well and I was proud as punch to celebrate his great performance.
What a wonderful memory he’ll always have. I’m so happy for him.
I also noticed just about everyone they interviewed mentioned Brian and how great he was.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
I admit that interview
pulled at my heart strings as well. Congrats on a great game Heap and also on becoming a daddy!
Washington Tribune, June 29 2010 – "The stonecutters carving Stephen Strasburg’s name onto the Washington Monument have been directed to await further instructions."
McCann is the man
My neighbors must think I’m crazy I was yelling so loud.
:o)
I'm Sure...
it was well worth all of those crazy looks the next morning in your respective driveways.
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