Binge Media Sports: 2014 MLB All-Star Game (and my top 5 favorite All-Star moments)

Welcome to Binge Media Sports coverage of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game, hosted this year by the American League’s Minnesota Twins, to be held Tuesday night on Fox from Target Field.

Now I know that this game actually means something. In case you don’t know, the winning league gets home-field advantage in the World Series and I still find this absolutely ridiculous. It’s absurd to think that a team could actually have a better record than their opponent in the Fall Classic and not be able to host Game 1 this October, but that’s what Bud Selig decided so I guess we just have to live with it. While not a fan of that particular part of this week’s festivities, I am a big fan of the All-Star game. Next to the NBA All-Star weekend, I think this is right up there as far as this type of game goes. What games like this do is gives fans a chance to see some players that they might not normally watch. While the aforementioned stipulation has added meaning to this game, I still think that games like this are more about moments. All-star games can really give us some moments that we wouldn’t see anywhere else, and sometimes, the game itself or who won and who lost, can become an afterthought (until somebody gets screwed in October anyway).

So before I get to this year’s game, let me give you five of my favorite moments that I’ve seen in my lifetime that will always be great to me.

5. BO JACKSON’S LEAD-OFF HOMERUN

If you never saw Bo Jackson play, then you missed out. This man was a beast as a player. Had he not gotten hurt, I think he could have been someone to enter the Hall of Fame in both baseball and football. Check out this leadoff homerun in 1989, all 448 feet of it.

4. TORII HUNTER ROBS BARRY BONDS

Torri Hunter had been robbing homeruns for a while now, and this one was awesome because it was on a national stage and it was Barry Bonds, perhaps the greatest player in history (insert asterisk here if you want). The catch was awesome, but Barry Bonds actually having some fun with it may have been more surprising.

3. THE BIG UNIT SCARES AND K’S JOHN KRUK

For those of you who only know John Kruk as an analyst, he actually was an All-Star caliber player at one time. However, his 1993 at-bat against Randy Johnson doesn’t show it. Classically hilarious.

2. 2001: TONY GWYNN AND CAL RIPKEN

It’s unfortunate that the late, great Tony Gwynn had to sit this game out, but I do remember him being elected as a non-playing member of the 2001 NL All-Stars and he gave a hell of a speech in his last season. However, this game will also be remembered as Cal Ripken’s night to shine. In addition to a classy move by A-Rod (who knew?) to allow Ripken to play shortstop, old number 8 gave us this:

1. 1999: TED WILLIAMS

I won’t even try to describe this. Just watch.

Now, it certainly won’t be like the Ted Williams tribute, but I see Tuesday night being very similar to what we witnessed in 2001, and the reason will be the man known as The Captain, Derek Jeter. After nearly two decades in baseball and what will be his 14th and final All-Star appearance, Jeter’s farewell could rival that of Ripken and will be a very similar scene also to what we saw last year with fellow Yankee, Mariano Rivera. It should make for a hell of a show and if you want to see respect, just check out this new commercial.

Oh sorry…I almost forgot that they’re actually playing a game. Starting lineups were released Monday afternoon. I’ll list them below and then you’ll have a chance to vote on who you think will win the game. I’ve added a third option for those of you who hate all-star games.

NATIONAL LEAGUE STARTING LINEUP

1. CF-Andrew McCutchen-Pittsburgh Pirates

2. RF-Yasiel Puig-Los Angeles Dodgers

3. SS-Troy Tulowitzki-Colorado Rockies

4. 1B-Paul Goldschmidt-Arizona Diamondbacks

5. DH-Giancarlo Stanton-Miami Marlins

6. 3B-Aramis Ramirez-Milwaukee Brewers

7. 2B-Chase Utley-Philadelphia Phillies

8. C-Jonathan Lucroy-Milwaukee Brewers

9. LF-Carlos Gomez-Milwaukee Brewers

SP-Adam Wainwright-St. Louis Cardinals

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE STARTING LINEUP

1. SS-Derek Jeter-New York Yankees

2. LF-Mike Trout-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

3. 2B-Robinson Cano-Seattle Mariners

4. 1B-Miguel Cabrera-Detroit Tigers

5. RF-Jose Bautista-Toronto Bluejays

6. DH-Nelson Cruz-Baltimore Orioles

7. CF-Adam Jones-Baltimore Orioles

8. 3B-Josh Donaldson-Oakland Athletics

9. C-Salvador Perez-Kansas City Royals

SP-Felix Hernandez-Seattle Mariners

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Okay, this ended up being more of a history lesson than a preview, but so what? It let me go back again and look at some great moments I’ve watched over the years. Hopefully, the 2014 edition of the MLB All-Star game will give us some more. What’s your favorite All-Star moment? Comment below or follow me and tweet @THElukenorris.