by Mark Rothstein
For BetUS.com
Back in 1996 Mike Piazza led the National League All-Star Team to a 6-0 win over their American League counterparts at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. That victory ran the NL?s winning streak in the All-Star Game to three, as they?d also come out on top at both Pittsburgh?s Three Rivers Stadium in 1994 and The Ballpark in Arlington in 1995.
That streak, though, came to an end in 1997, when MVP Sandy Alomar guided the American League squad to a 3-1 victory at Jacobs Field in Cleveland. Having won every midsummer classic between 1988 and 1993, the junior circuit was no stranger to All-Star streaks, and their victory on the shores of Lake Erie in 1997 sparked yet another.
The AL won a 13-8 slugfest at Coors Field in 1998, stifled the NL hitters in a 4-1 victory at Fenway Park in 1999, doubled up the competition 6-3 at Turner Field in 2000, and followed shortstop Cal Ripken?s example in a 4-1 win at Seattle?s Safeco Field in 2001.
The 2002 season, of course, saw the game end in a 7-7 tie in 11 innings after the managers decided they had insufficient players to continue the contest at Miller Park in Milwaukee. That led to Bud Selig declaring that home-field advantage in the World Series would be decided by the outcome of the All-Star Game, breaking with tradition.
Would that new rule, which made the game much more meaningful, inspire the National League squad to finally end their skid? No. The AL won again in 2003, by a 7-6 score at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, then rolled to 9-4 and 7-5 wins in the two most recent contests, at Minute Maid Park in Houston and Comerica Park in Detroit. Add it all up, and the American League has won eight straight All-Star Games (discounting the tie).
The record for the longest All-Star winning streak is 11 games, which the National League accomplished from 1972 to 1982. Obviously, then, the results of the showcase are quite cyclical; only three times since 1972 has one of the leagues broken the other?s string of wins and then failed to come up with a All-Star victory the next season as well.
So is it time for the National League to finally come out on top, or will the American League continue their dominance? If the results of this year?s interleague matchups are any indication, the NL could be in tough in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. The AL went an incredible 154-98 versus the NL in crossover matchups this season, for a winning percentage of .611. Prior to 2006, the NL had held a 1104-1095 interleague advantage.
The National League also received a blow when stud starter Pedro Martinez was placed on the disabled list with pain in his right hip last week. Martinez was the MVP of the All-Star Game at Fenway Park in 1999, and he?s 7-4 with a 3.45 ERA for the New York Mets this season. Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt was added to the NL?s squad as Martinez?s replacement; Oswalt is 6-6 with a 3.15 ERA in 18 appearances this season.
But while the NL will be missing an arm, the AL will be without one of their big bats on Tuesday night. Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez has decided, yet again, that he?ll skip the game this year, leaving his impressive home run and RBI totals at home. Ramirez was the leading vote-getter in fan balloting this year. Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios and Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano are also sitting out of the game with injuries.
However, even with Ramirez, Rios, and Cano on the sidelines, the American League East division will be well-represented at the game. Boston is sending David Ortiz, Mark Loretta, and Jonathan Papelbon, New York is sending Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez, while Toronto is sending Troy Glaus, Vernon Wells, Roy Halladay, and B.J. Ryan. Baltimore?s Miguel Tejada and Tampa Bay?s Scott Kazmir will also be there.
The defending champion White Sox, though, lead with seven All-Stars on the American League team: Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Bobby Jenks, and A.J. Pierzynski. The Mets lead the National League with six All-Stars: Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Paul Lo Duca, Tom Glavine, and Martinez (although both Glavine and Martinez will be skipping the game). The hometown Pirates have outfielder Jason Bay and third baseman Freddy Sanchez on the NL team?s roster.
And Bay was elected as a starter in the outfield, so he?ll likely get plenty of playing time in front of his own fans. That?ll give the Canadian slugger a few chances to make an impact, and if he can play a role in ending the National League?s lengthy losing skid watch for him to also get plenty of votes as the All-Star Game?s Most Valuable Player.
For MLB odds click here>> .
For BetUS.com
Back in 1996 Mike Piazza led the National League All-Star Team to a 6-0 win over their American League counterparts at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. That victory ran the NL?s winning streak in the All-Star Game to three, as they?d also come out on top at both Pittsburgh?s Three Rivers Stadium in 1994 and The Ballpark in Arlington in 1995.
That streak, though, came to an end in 1997, when MVP Sandy Alomar guided the American League squad to a 3-1 victory at Jacobs Field in Cleveland. Having won every midsummer classic between 1988 and 1993, the junior circuit was no stranger to All-Star streaks, and their victory on the shores of Lake Erie in 1997 sparked yet another.
The AL won a 13-8 slugfest at Coors Field in 1998, stifled the NL hitters in a 4-1 victory at Fenway Park in 1999, doubled up the competition 6-3 at Turner Field in 2000, and followed shortstop Cal Ripken?s example in a 4-1 win at Seattle?s Safeco Field in 2001.
The 2002 season, of course, saw the game end in a 7-7 tie in 11 innings after the managers decided they had insufficient players to continue the contest at Miller Park in Milwaukee. That led to Bud Selig declaring that home-field advantage in the World Series would be decided by the outcome of the All-Star Game, breaking with tradition.
Would that new rule, which made the game much more meaningful, inspire the National League squad to finally end their skid? No. The AL won again in 2003, by a 7-6 score at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, then rolled to 9-4 and 7-5 wins in the two most recent contests, at Minute Maid Park in Houston and Comerica Park in Detroit. Add it all up, and the American League has won eight straight All-Star Games (discounting the tie).
The record for the longest All-Star winning streak is 11 games, which the National League accomplished from 1972 to 1982. Obviously, then, the results of the showcase are quite cyclical; only three times since 1972 has one of the leagues broken the other?s string of wins and then failed to come up with a All-Star victory the next season as well.
So is it time for the National League to finally come out on top, or will the American League continue their dominance? If the results of this year?s interleague matchups are any indication, the NL could be in tough in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. The AL went an incredible 154-98 versus the NL in crossover matchups this season, for a winning percentage of .611. Prior to 2006, the NL had held a 1104-1095 interleague advantage.
The National League also received a blow when stud starter Pedro Martinez was placed on the disabled list with pain in his right hip last week. Martinez was the MVP of the All-Star Game at Fenway Park in 1999, and he?s 7-4 with a 3.45 ERA for the New York Mets this season. Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt was added to the NL?s squad as Martinez?s replacement; Oswalt is 6-6 with a 3.15 ERA in 18 appearances this season.
But while the NL will be missing an arm, the AL will be without one of their big bats on Tuesday night. Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez has decided, yet again, that he?ll skip the game this year, leaving his impressive home run and RBI totals at home. Ramirez was the leading vote-getter in fan balloting this year. Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios and Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano are also sitting out of the game with injuries.
However, even with Ramirez, Rios, and Cano on the sidelines, the American League East division will be well-represented at the game. Boston is sending David Ortiz, Mark Loretta, and Jonathan Papelbon, New York is sending Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez, while Toronto is sending Troy Glaus, Vernon Wells, Roy Halladay, and B.J. Ryan. Baltimore?s Miguel Tejada and Tampa Bay?s Scott Kazmir will also be there.
The defending champion White Sox, though, lead with seven All-Stars on the American League team: Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Bobby Jenks, and A.J. Pierzynski. The Mets lead the National League with six All-Stars: Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Paul Lo Duca, Tom Glavine, and Martinez (although both Glavine and Martinez will be skipping the game). The hometown Pirates have outfielder Jason Bay and third baseman Freddy Sanchez on the NL team?s roster.
And Bay was elected as a starter in the outfield, so he?ll likely get plenty of playing time in front of his own fans. That?ll give the Canadian slugger a few chances to make an impact, and if he can play a role in ending the National League?s lengthy losing skid watch for him to also get plenty of votes as the All-Star Game?s Most Valuable Player.
For MLB odds click here>> .
