The Bleacher Bums: July 16, 2008 Archive

Twins to open World Series at home...maybe

Posted at 4:14 PM on July 16, 2008 by Steve Rudolph (2 Comments)

Thanks to Justin Morneau, Game One of the World Series will be played at the Metrodome.

Okay, that's a bit of a stretch but I have to tip my cap to Commissioner Bud Selig for making the All-Star game worth watching again.

You may remember the debacle of 2002 when the game ended in an 11th inning tie after both managers had depleted their bullpens. To prevent a future embarrassment, Selig decided that the league that captured the Midsummer Classics would receive home field advantage in the World Series contingencies were put in place to ensure managers would have arms available for any extra innings.

Or so he thought.

Imagine what would have happened if Justin Morneau had been gunned down at the plate and not scored the winning run at 1:37 a.m.

Both teams were down to their last pitcher. Would Bud have made them keep throwing? Would the managers turn to position players in the 16th? At some point would Bud just flip a coin or have another home run derby decide the outcome? The possibilities are rich.

If you were The Commish would you make more changes to the All Star game's rosters and rules to allow teams to play into the morning or do you just consider last night an anomaly and leave things alone?

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Upon further review, Morneau's victory even more impressive

Posted at 10:04 PM on July 16, 2008 by Steve Rudolph (2 Comments)

Having watched the replay of Justin Morneau's victory in the All-Star Home Run Derby on ESPN this evening, I'm left even more impressed with the performance of the Twins slugger.

Unlike Josh Hamilton who received meatball after meatball from 71-year-old Clay Counsil, Joe Vavra's pitches to Morneau had more movement than a Livan Hernandez's fastball.

If Morneau defends his title next year he might look for another pitcher. Wonder what Brad Radke is up to.

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