Comments on: 10 All-Star game-related questions http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/ Bill Burt's blog on sports Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:15:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.1 By: Marcel http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4268 Marcel Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:01:17 +0000 http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4268 "Homefield advantage in baseball doesn’t touch football or basketball" Could you explain this to me? Football fields and basketball courts are all (basically) the exact same. You can't build a team to take advantage of your home field like, say, the Red Sox and Rockies can. Home field doesn't change who gets first possession in basketball or football, but batting in the bottom of the inning is a huge advantage in baseball. Hell, in basketball, climate isn't even a factor. The only advantage I see in the (imo) lesser sports is that they have the home crowds, which baseball does too. And honestly, if you can't play to win without support from the crowd, you need to find yourself some better motivated players. “Homefield advantage in baseball doesn’t touch football or basketball”

Could you explain this to me? Football fields and basketball courts are all (basically) the exact same. You can’t build a team to take advantage of your home field like, say, the Red Sox and Rockies can. Home field doesn’t change who gets first possession in basketball or football, but batting in the bottom of the inning is a huge advantage in baseball. Hell, in basketball, climate isn’t even a factor. The only advantage I see in the (imo) lesser sports is that they have the home crowds, which baseball does too. And honestly, if you can’t play to win without support from the crowd, you need to find yourself some better motivated players.

]]> By: Bill Burt http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4264 Bill Burt Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:21:24 +0000 http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4264 Mariano is near the end. He is closer to retirement than either Jeter or A-Rod. Francona gave Jeter is just due, pulling him out between innings, which was a classy move. As for Rivera, he's the best ever. He deserves everything he gets. He's also a class guy and unlike Papelbon of late, his crazy opinions (which I'm sure he has) are kept to himself. Mariano is near the end. He is closer to retirement than either Jeter or A-Rod.
Francona gave Jeter is just due, pulling him out between innings, which was a classy move.
As for Rivera, he’s the best ever. He deserves everything he gets. He’s also a class guy and unlike Papelbon of late, his crazy opinions (which I’m sure he has) are kept to himself.

]]> By: Matt H. http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4263 Matt H. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:17:53 +0000 http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4263 I hear you, Bill, but why Mariano and not, say Jeter? Or A-Rod? Aren't they all destined for the Hall? I hear you, Bill, but why Mariano and not, say Jeter? Or A-Rod? Aren’t they all destined for the Hall?

]]> By: Bill Burt http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4260 Bill Burt Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:11:43 +0000 http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4260 Matt You're a tough cookie. I don't think there is any question that it was his night, win or lose. That's the way All-Star games are in all sports. They honor the home guy, especially if he is an all-time great like Rivera. Matt
You’re a tough cookie. I don’t think there is any question that it was his night, win or lose. That’s the way All-Star games are in all sports. They honor the home guy, especially if he is an all-time great like Rivera.

]]> By: Matt H. http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4259 Matt H. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:37:49 +0000 http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/2008/07/15/10-all-star-game-related-questions/#comment-4259 I disagree with part of your #9 point, "Mariano Rivera. The country is treating this like it’s his day after a long career. I agree." It's not his day. It's the All Star game, not the Yankees All Star game. Give him the ball to close in the 8th/9th (which Tito did) and let him get his ovations. Had JD Drew not hit that home run and it was a smattering of base hits that got those 2 runs home, who would've been the MVP? Just being Mariano shouldn't get you an MVP at Yankee Stadium. I disagree with part of your #9 point, “Mariano Rivera. The country is treating this like it’s his day after a long career. I agree.”

It’s not his day. It’s the All Star game, not the Yankees All Star game. Give him the ball to close in the 8th/9th (which Tito did) and let him get his ovations. Had JD Drew not hit that home run and it was a smattering of base hits that got those 2 runs home, who would’ve been the MVP? Just being Mariano shouldn’t get you an MVP at Yankee Stadium.

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