(07-17-2018 11:38 AM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  I was hoping they'd go after a 2nd baseman like Gennett, and I think that was at least discussed, but Machado is just to shiny an object to ignore if you've got a chance to land him, I guess.

Scooter has had a pretty incredible first half, and caps it off with a game-tying homer in the All Star Game. Great tom see moments like that.

I hadn't watched much of this game the last two years, but I really enjoyed watching thism one. Record number of homers for ASG, but a nice pitching battle for much of the contest. Fun to hear from Scherzer, who seems like a genuinely nice guy, as well as talking to Trout in the outfield during the game. Funny how they tried to get Kemp to keep the mike on during his at-bat, then Smoltz and Buck comment about how Smoltz could have told him what was coming after seeing the sign. Kemp declined to do it as he was jogging off the filed, but it would have been interesting. I wonder if someday there will be things like that in regular games to help keep younger fans interest. Not anytime real soon, but maybe someday.

Sorry to see AL win yet again. The NL needs an infusion of talent through better drafting. Impressed with Judge, though I wish he weren't a Yank. Harper was nice to listen to, but not impressive in his plate appearances in this game. Did not know about Colorado's 3rd baseman. Apparently he's really good. Also interesting to see Diaz give up the ghost after the build up from the announcers. Speaking of which, I liked Smoltz, but his voice and Buck's are so close to the same it was hard to tell who was talking sometimes, especially with the compression. And Smoltzie tripped up while Buck was doing a promo and Buck let him know about it (awkward) on the air. Yikes!

I thing Segura should have gotten the MVP trophy, as his 3 run job seemed more important to the game overall by breaking it open after the NL had tied things. And noticed there seem to be a LOT of players with #27 all of a sudden. My kid likes that number, and he's a lefty, but some may be gone by the time he gets to be a LOOGY in the majors (he can bring it.) I would guess Trout's number is gone from future Angels.

When they put Kemp on the spot about Machado going to the Dodgers, it was funny and painful to hear Kemp deny knowledge at the same time. Overall, I enjoyed the broadcast, (maybe Hat-cam didn't really get used too much) and liked most of the innovations Fox came up with. Would have liked a few more extra innings just to see how managers would have dealt with it, but satisfied nonetheless. Should be a good second half. Play Ball!