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Friday, June 27, 2008

FOX: Rosenthal - Pressure’s on Uggla to make All-Star team

Not there’s any pressure, but if Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla fails to make the National League All-Star team, he’s going to hear it from his father, John.

“One of his dreams is to see me play in Yankee Stadium,” Dan says. “That’s where he always used to watch games as a kid. He’s been ragging me all year about trying to make this All-Star team.”

Uggla, who leads the majors with 23 homers, should have no problem fulfilling his father’s wishes. Phillies second baseman Chase Utley leads all NL vote-getters, but an investigation will be warranted if Uggla is not chosen as a reserve.
...
John Uggla, who worked 30 years as a technical instructor for General Electric and still teaches as a part-time contractor, keeps telling Dan, “Hang in there. Let’s go now. You’re on track. This is our chance, this is it.”

Not that there’s any pressure, Dan…

“It’s on the top of my mind,” John Uggla says. “If you didn’t grow up in that era, you may not understand. It would be the ultimate… the pinnacle.”

NTNgod Posted: June 27, 2008 at 06:16 PM | 16 comment(s)
Related News: General, Florida

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1. slothinator Posted: June 27, 2008 at 05:28 PM (#2834988)

Anyone get the feeling Uggla's dad was the guy at every little league game yelling instructions to his son before and after every pitch? As a coach, this type of behavior drives me insane. Especially when the parents don't know what they are talking about. It's his accomplishment, not yours John.

2. Dr Love Posted: June 27, 2008 at 05:46 PM (#2834996)

Clearly, Mr. Uggla has a lot of confidence in his son. As the lead notes, he leads the majors in HRs. And even if he isn't by the ASG, the only way Uggla doesn't make it is if he's injured. And he's already made it to the All Star Game in the past too. What a dad.

3. Lord Enzo Hernandez Posted: June 27, 2008 at 06:19 PM (#2835015)

Uggla, 28, currently ranks fourth among NL second basemen in the fan balloting, behind Utley, the Cubs' Mark DeRosa and the Astros' Kaz Matsui.

Well, Matsui does lead all second basemen in anal fissures.

4. birdlives (just name the place!) Posted: June 27, 2008 at 06:24 PM (#2835019)

Come on Robo, the July trading deadline is coming up. Enough with the fluff, we want trade rumors!

5. Delicious Cake Posted: June 27, 2008 at 06:30 PM (#2835022)

If Uggla doesn't make the All-Star team, it'll be the fans' fault, not his.

6. Dr Love Posted: June 27, 2008 at 06:38 PM (#2835025)

Uggla, 28, currently ranks fourth among NL second basemen in the fan balloting, behind Utley, the Cubs' Mark DeRosa and the Astros' Kaz Matsui.

They must really be pushing the AS Voting in Houston.

2B: Matsui - 3rd
3B: Wigginton - 4th, but behind 3rd by only 250 votes
SS: Tejada - 1st
OF: Lee - 5th
Pence - 10th
Bourn - 15th

That's right, the entire OF for a 5th place team is in the top 15 in voting. (Three other teams have more than one, the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers. For those keeping track at home, that's the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams in Houston's division.)

If Uggla doesn't make the All-Star team, it'll be the fans' fault, not his.

It'll be the manager's/league's, unless he's on the 26th man ballot or whatever it is they do. Utley is the deserving starter, after that it's pretty much out of the fans hands.

7. NTNgod Posted: June 27, 2008 at 06:40 PM (#2835026)

Come on Robo, the July trading deadline is coming up. Enough with the fluff, we want trade rumors!

FOX: Rosenthal - O's have interest in deal for infielder Lopez

The Orioles, desperately seeking a shortstop, have engaged in substantive conversations with the Nationals about a trade for infielder Felipe Lopez, according to major league sources... In return for Lopez, the Nationals likely would receive a marginal minor-league prospect.
...
If a deal is completed, it likely would not be announced until after the completion of the Orioles-Nationals series this weekend in Washington, sources say.

OK, so that's not an earth-shatterer or anything.

8. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: June 27, 2008 at 07:43 PM (#2835117)

"Even if he someday ends up with the Yankees, he's not going to play in Yankee Stadium. He still has a shot at playing at Fenway. Of course he has played at Wrigley. But this is it. Either he makes it, or it's never going to happen."

I think his sentiments are nice. I get the feeling he is the kind of Dad who quietly supports his kid through thick and thin.

9. vortex of dissipation Posted: June 27, 2008 at 07:51 PM (#2835130)

According to the article, the elder Uggla grew up in New York State, and saw several games at Yankee Stadium in the mid-1950s. It's completly natural that the ballpark would have a special meaning for him.

10. birdlives (just name the place!) Posted: June 27, 2008 at 07:54 PM (#2835138)

FOX: Rosenthal - O's have interest in deal for infielder Lopez

I'll pretend that I didn't read that.

11. Eric J Posted: June 27, 2008 at 07:54 PM (#2835140)

They must really be pushing the AS Voting in Houston.

J. R. Towles was among the top 5 catchers for a while, including a couple of post-demotion appearances. So yeah, I'd say they're making a good effort at stuffing the ballot box.

12. Danny Posted: June 27, 2008 at 08:23 PM (#2835197)

“Hang in there. Let’s go now. You’re on track. This is our chance, this is it.”

That's just embarrassing.

13. Walt Davis Posted: June 27, 2008 at 09:03 PM (#2835278)

Let's hope he doesn't get caught in the "1 player per team" roster squeeze. If Hanley takes the SS spot (either the starter or certainly the bench) it could happen. I think he's safe since the other top candidates for the #2 2B spot are on teams that should have at least one other rep (Hudson, Johnson, DeRosa, Phillips), so there'd be no reason to take them over Uggla. But if, say, Volquez got hurt, I could see Phillips being the Reds' only AS and Uggla getting passed over.

14. JoeHova Posted: June 27, 2008 at 09:06 PM (#2835287)

Well, Matsui does lead all second basemen in anal fissures.

As far as you know.

15. Kyle S Posted: June 27, 2008 at 10:14 PM (#2835399)

I have no idea about Uggla's background, but as a parent I can completely understand how he could say what he said. Bill Cosby does a funny bit during his standup album about a dad who invests so much in helping his son become an elite football player, only to have the son say "Hi Mom!" when interviewed on TV. Often, dads teach their sons the game, sacrifice their own personal lives to attend games, coach teams, pay for equipment and travel teams, and help pay for college. Even the decision to play minor league ball for all but the most elite players can involve sacrifices from a player's family, especially if they're not wealthy.

John Uggla knows he isn't going out on the field at Yankee Stadium if his son makes the All Star Team, but it is certainly partially his achievement and something of which he should be very proud. I know I would be!

16. Nathan Kunkel Posted: June 28, 2008 at 07:10 AM (#2835521)

"“Hang in there. Let’s go now. You’re on track. This is our chance, this is it.”

That's just embarrassing."

Let's see: Dad grew up a Yankee fan. Went to to the House that Ruth Built. This is the last season for that House. Father would love to see son PLAY in Yankee stadium, and wouldn't the son get a kick out of making that happen. It's their last chance to experience just that.

Embarrassing? What do you do in your spare time, kick puppies and drown kittens? ; )

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Friday, June 27, 2008

FOX: Rosenthal - Pressure’s on Uggla to make All-Star team

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