Schmidt embarks on an unpredictable FU journey to attend his sports All-Star Game in Kansas City.
It’s all so confusing to us old folks. Back in May, Hamels drills Harper in the ribs for being a brash rookie who is famous for being famous. Harper was the kid who blew a kiss at a pitcher while rounding the bases on a home run. He was the most decorated rookie ever to enter the majors. So, Hamels drills him for being famous, Harper then steals home on Hamels, maybe the best payback ever. But he is not cocky or brash, but classy. I thought that was an “in your face” moment if ever there was one.
Now Harper is Hamels’ teammate, on the National League All-Star team, an eight-home run and 25-RBI All-Star, while at least five others with deserving stats won’t be. Fan voting at its finest. The perfect summation for all this confusion is to say, “It is what it is.” I love that line , it allows us to accept something without good reason.
Let’s face it, marketing dollars and television have become more important than competition and credibility at this game and every game, except golf. The All-Star game, in whatever form presented, will get major media attention, a significant national TV audience and have a profound effect on the Kansas City economy.
No matter who does the voting, who makes the roster or how memorable the competition, the game will be an event and it will satisfy sponsors. Maybe that’s all we should ask of it? Me, I’m just an old confused guy who remembers when it did both.
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1. Monty Posted: July 11, 2012 at 01:14 AM (#4179829)Fan voting?
Seems like the best-case scenario is that Smitty thinks Harper won the "Final Vote"... either that, or he has a basic misunderstanding of how the roster is chosen. One really hopes it's not the latter, given that:
PRO TIP: Do not trust any committee created by Bud Selig.
I also can't tell if Smitty is being sarcastic or not about Harper being "classy."
"except golf" seems like it might have some meme potential.
That's like saying "glitz and tourist dollars have become more important than acting talent and fine writing in this show and every Broadway show, except Mamma Mia."
I agree, but how does it then follow then Harper is an undeserving All-Star? I'm not following Schmidt's line of reasoning here. I mean, you can make a case for others besides Harper, but his first paragraph seems to suggest that he thinks Harper plays the game the "right way", while his second suggests that he is overhyped.
I sort of agree. I get the sense that Mike gives the questions some serious thought, but he's really not much of a thinker. He's just as likely to say something truly head scratching as insightful, often in the same interview.
I still enjoy it, though. Hall of Famers that are reasonable about modern baseball are a rare sight.
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