All Star Aftermath: Lincecum Doing Fine, Wilson Proud

Had Tim Lincecum been available to pitch, he would have gone the 15th. Instead he watched "some" of the game from his hotel room. While we have not heard from the cover boy in the aftermath of his flu-like symptoms, his dad told the San Francisco Chronicle, "He's Fine."

Closer Brian Wilson represented the orange and black well, retiring the only two hitters he faced in the eighth. "I walked off with my head held high," he told MLB.com. "I thought it was exhilarating."

Live Blogging the All Star Game

Bloggers: Charlie and Will

5:00 - Every year, I say this is the year the NL will turn it around. This year, I really think they have a shot, but they've got to score some early runs. I'm a little less excited that Tim won't be there, but I'll still watch. -c
5:04 - These are the fastest introductions I've ever seen. Tim's not even there. -c
5:05 - The Red Sox players weren't booed as loudly as I'd thought they would. -c
5:06 - "From the Oakland Athletics, Justin Duck-sher." -c
5:10 - Apparently, this one counts. -c
5:13 - At least the Giants have strong representation among the Hall of Famers, with Mays, McCovey, Cepeda, Marichal, and Perry. -c
5:15 - I give Fox some credit (wow, I didn't think I'd say that tonight) for changing up the introductions. -c
5:30 - Who brings a guitar to sing the national anthem? That actually wasn't that bad though. -c
5:33 - Who'd have thought that George Steinbrenner would have one of the more tender moments? -c
5:39 - Tim McCarver is here. Thank God. -+c
5:50 - Cliff Lee's looking like Carl Hubbell early, striking out Ramirez and Utley. -c
5:57 - Alright, just tuning in - what did I miss? -w
5:58 - Hamilton strikes out - I think he still has a shot at MVP. He seems like the kind of dude who'd want to play the whole game. -w
6:06 - Chipper gets the first hit, but Braun strikes out and leaves him at second. Two good innings for Lee. -c
6:21 - Sheets gets out of a jam in the second. Looks like Zambrano's coming in next. -c
6:25 - I wouldn't have known Kosuke Fukudome was Japanese if they didn't put his name in Japanese. -c
6:39 - Pujols actually looked safe on that slide. Oh well, three and a half scoreless. -w
6:44 - This really is a pitchers game so far. Maybe all the hitters are afraid of messing up their swings. -w
6:53 - Holliday hits a bomb - we are on the board. -w
7:18 - Finally, a mention of Lincecum. Does not appear that he is at the ballpark. -w
7:40 - Got to watch Joe Nathan pitch with no mention of the A.J. Pierzynski trade. Yay! -w
7:53 - J.D. Drew homers to tie the game. I called it - looks like we've got an interesting game here. -w
7:59 - Papelbon gets some boos from this Yankee crowd. -w
8:01 - Chants directed at Papelbon - "Mariano!" "Overrated!" -w
8:03 - NL reclaims the lead! -w
8:07 - ALRIGHT! Main event - Brian Wilson enters the game. -w
8:08 - Carlos Quentin flies out. Come on, Brian! -w
8:12 - Carlos Guillen goes down swinging! -w
8:14 -Wilson exits - a very nice showing for the Giants. -w
8:23 - Wagner gives up a single to Sizemore, a stolen base, and a game-tying double to Longoria. Should've left Wilson in there. -c
8:29 - Rivera's in. He can't get a save, but I think there would be a riot if he didn't pitch. -c
8:45 - Extras! -w
8:56 - Damnit. I thought the NL was going to take lead there. -w
8:57 - Uggla hits into the double play and then makes an error! Ug. -w
8:59 - Uggla just made another error! -w
9:22 - What a play at the plate! This game does not want to end. -w
9:31 - Longest game in All Star history. -w
9:32 - Uggla wins the Least Valuable Player award. -w
9:39 - Is this even fun anymore? -w
9:45 - This lineup looks like the Future's Game. -w

UPDATE: Looks like we got a little tired around the 14th inning.

The Flu Has Lincecum-Like Symptoms

UPDATE: Andrew Baggarly has more. Lincecum definitely went to the hospital, but Brian Wilson doubts that he was taken out on a stretcher. NL manager Clint Hurdle thinks Lincecum will make it to Yankee Stadium in time for the game. He also said that Wilson is scheduled to pitch the eighth.

The chances of Tim Lincecum pitching in tonight's All-Star Game were already getting lower by the minute, but recent developments seem to make it a certainty that he will not take the mound at Yankee Stadium. Lincecum was reportedly taken to the hospital for dehydration and flu-like symptoms. According to KNBR, he was taken out of his hotel room on a stretcher. I was really hoping Lincecum would pitch at least one inning tonight, but this latest development leads me to believe it's probably for the best that he sits out. Get well, Tim. You'll have plenty more chances.

Giant All Star Memories

Insert cynical caption here.
Tonight, the achievements of Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson will be celebrated at the All Star Game - and they are soaking it all in. In a season that has been filled with disappointment, having two representatives both of whom represent the team's future is quite an achievement. Hopefully, new memories will be made, but here is a look back at some of our favorite Giant All Star Memories...

2007: It is pretty hard to top attending the 2007 Home Run Derby at AT&T Park, after a decade and a half of watching the competition. We had a good seat to see Barry Bonds take batting practice. That is the ultimate All Star memory for me.
2003: Jason Schmidt starts and throws two shutout innings, redeeming a rather negative history of SF starters in All Star Games.
2002: Bonds gets robbed of a homer but later hits one, while Benito Santiago makes the final out, ending the contest in a tie!
2001: Three Giants in the starting lineup (Bonds, Jeff Kent, Rich Aurilla).
1998: Bonds hits first All Star Game home run.
1996: Bonds bests Mark McGwire in a pre-Steroid Era Home Run Derby. Still my favorite derby.
1995 and 1996: Cheering for Matt Williams even though he was unable to play due to injury.
1993: First time I remember watching the Home Run Derby - Bonds hits five.

Josh Hamilton Displays True Meaning of All Star Game

Josh Hamilton didn't win the Home Run Derby, but that hardly mattered last night. Hamilton stepped up to the batter's box in Yankee Stadium and showed why the Home Run Derby has become more important than the All Star Game. Hamilton set a first round record with 28 home runs, demolishing his competition. He took his time, frequently breaking, while All Star teammates ran up to home plate. The crowd chanted his name, and when his round was over, it did not matter what happened next - the show was stolen. And this is what the All Star Game should be about - players are put under the national spotlight and given the opportunity to win over a larger fanbase. Much has been made of the "great story" that Hamilton is, and Peter Gammons wrote a great blog today about that. Hamilton is a great story, but what was most important about last night's performance is that he took the moment seriously. The All Star Game has been reduced to a boring exhibition in recent years, but Hamilton talked beforehand about his dream of participating in the Home Run Derby. He then proceeded to relish every moment of it. He displayed just what this exhibition is supposed to be about - a celebration of the fans who make these players the icons they are.

Live-Bloggin the Home Run Derby

We're getting started a little late, but we've got the derby on the Tivo.

Will's prediction: Berkman & Hamilton in the final.
Charlie's prediction: Utley & Hamilton.

5:00 - 3 Doors Down performances are the reason Tivo was invented. -c
5:05 - The 3 Doors Down singer looks like a 13-year old boy with his little mohawk. -w
5:14 - We've had a Rudy Giuliani sighting. I guess he's not sleeping on the subway. -w
5:24 - Uggla's making me look bad. - c
5:27 - Not a bad start. Uggla showed that a righty can hit some bombs. - c
5:31 - Grady Sizemore hits the first upper-decker. Of the eight competitors, there's two second basemen and a leadoff hitter. That's got to be a first. - c
5:32 - To go with this whole "This One Counts" thing, we were thinking that the league that wins the All-Star Game should also get the Home Run Derby winner on their team. - c
5:41 - Evan Longoria's a great hitter, but how many guys had to turn this down for him to get in there. There's a few All-Stars with more homers. Carlos Quentin? Milton Bradley? - c
5:45 - Longoria rebounded from a slow start to hit three. He probably spared himself any "Eva" jokes. - c
5:49 - Utley needs to pick it up. - c
5:52 - Utley hits five. That might not be enough. - c
5:58 - Berkman's batting lefty. The buzz earlier today was that he was going to be hitting right-handed so as not to mess up his swing. Now, he could be the favorite. - c
6:03 - Looks like my first pick is making it to the second round. Glad Berkman decided to go lefty. He really had a nice finish there at the end. -w
6:09 - Rick Reilly inserts race into the Home Run Derby, noting that this year there are eight white guys. - c
6:21 - Braun was headed for Mike Piazza territory with 0 homers and six outs, but then he stepped up and hit seven. Let's hope Hamilton gets in and then we will have a real solid second round lineup. -w
6:28 - Hamilton just hit one off the back wall in right field. Not quite the light tower, but not bad.
6:35 - Should we just call it for Hamilton now?
7:14 - "It's a bad night to be an atheist" - I'm not sure Rick Reilly will be invited back next year.
7:23 - Hamilton's just showing off now. Somebody had a "Where's Barry?*" sign.
7:51 - Well, that was a little anticlimactic. Hamilton probably shouldn't have taken those swings in the second round. Regardless, this Home Run Derby won't be remembered for Justin Morneau.
7:57 - The State Farm guy called Justin Morneau "Jason."

Best Event in Professional Sports Happening Today

Today - July 14, 2008 - is All Star Monday and that means our favorite sporting event of the year, the Home Run Derby, is taking place. While the actual All Star Game has become rather boring, the Derby is truly the main event - showcasing the top (and usually younger) sluggers in baseball. Furthermore, the other All Stars watch from the sidelines, showing a laid back and carefree nature rarely seen during the season. This year's competition features Astros veteran Lance Berkman (pictured above from his 2006 appearance) alongside Ryan Braun, Josh Hamilton, Evan Longoria, Justin Morneau, Grady Sizemore, Dan Uggla, and Chase Utley. The list is pretty solid, aside from the fact that it lacks the presence of Alex Rodriguez. ESPN's Jayson Stark was none too happy about this:

A-Rod told The New York Times last month that he didn't want to take part in this Derby because "it sets your swing back about three weeks." But we'd like to know exactly what he bases that on.

Because it isn't the facts.

The last time A-Rod took part in a Home Run Derby was 2002. Want to know how far he set his swing back that year? He damaged it so irreparably, he hit four homers in the first four games after the break.

Chris Singleton disagrees:

A guy like A-Rod knows himself, knows his swing. I think with everything he's got going on -- on and off the field -- he wants to show as much commitment as he can to his performance for the Yankees. He wants to help salvage the season and possibly get the Yankees to the postseason. He doesn't want to jeopardize that. I totally understand guys who worry that the Home Run Derby could alter their swings. It depends on how mentally tough you are -- and how disciplined you can be after the Derby.

A-Rod or not, we will be glued to ESPN starting at 8PMET and live-blogging the whole way through it.

Timmy's An All Star, But Will He Pitch?

To no one's surprise, Tim Lincecum was selected by his peers to represent the Giants at the All-Star Game July 15. But within hours of this announcement, Bruce Bochy seemed to dash any hopes of Lincecum getting the deserved starting nod, or of even pitching at all. Originally, Lincecum was scheduled to make his last start prior to the All-Star break on Wednesday against the Mets. However, Bochy chose to reshuffle the rotation, instead pitching Lincecum Tuesday in New York, and then again on Sunday in Chicago, just two days before the All-Star Game. The logic behind the move seems to be simply to give Lincecum more starts and give the Giants a better chance to gain ground in the NL West. But the strategy almost seems counterproductive. If he pitched Wednesday, Lincecum would match up with Johan Santana, giving the Giants their best shot to beat the Mets' ace.

I will be very disappointed if Lincecum doesn't pitch in the All-Star Game. Of course, I would prefer he start, but I'd rather see him throw just one inning than nothing at all. And I think it's extremely uncool of the Giants to hold Lincecum back from his first All-Star appearance with the justification of being in a pennant race. If the Giants want to prove that they deserve some respect, I'd much rather see Lincecum mow down Alex Rodriguez in Yankee Stadium than see the team fool itself into thinking that it has a chance at the playoffs.

In other All-Star news, congratulations to Brian Wilson for being chosen by the players, and make sure to vote for Aaron Rowand in the Final Vote, albeit over much more deserving candidates.

Why Wilson is an All Star

Tim Lincecum graces the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated and it seems all but certain he will be suiting up at Yankee Stadium on July 15. The Giants continue to push fans toward voting for Bengie Molina and Aaron Rowand on their ballots. But just as deserving to be out there for the mid-summer classic is closer Brian Wilson, who secured his league-leading 22nd save of the season last night in a 2-1 victory over the Cubs.

Wilson's league lead in saves is impressive for a number of reasons - one being that this team has only won 37 games. Wilson has only blown two saves this season, and only one of those was a loss. That loss was May 3 in Philadelphia - nearly two months ago. Since that time, not every save has come easy (he did allow a run and put the tying and winning runners on last night), but he always closes the door. There's a fire and intensity when he pitches that every closer needs to succeed. "Put in a good word for me with Clint Hurdle," he says. Wilson is fun to watch - and he deserves to be out there on the national stage in two weeks.