Results tagged “allstargame”

With the $500 million renovation of Madison Square Garden scheduled to be complete by the 2011-2012 season, the Knicks are hoping to finally participate in All-Star Game festivities. Not necessarily with a player, which they haven't had since Allan Houston in 2001, but by hosting the actual NBA All-Star Game in 2012. While Garden officials haven't made an official proposal yet, NBA Commish David Stern told The Times that hosting, "is a very live possibility." Given how Major League Baseball took over NYC earlier this month, it's just a matter of time until the NBA has its turn. Perhaps by 2012, the Knicks can get a player into the actual game.

Yesterday, larger-than-life Yankees owner George Steinbrenner made a rare public appearance and presented the baseballs for the ceremonial first pitches at last night's All-Star Game. There's video of his appearance above--he was driven onto the field in a golf cart, was warmly greeted by Yankee greats like Yogi Berra, Goose Gossage, Reggie Jackson, and Whitey Ford, and seemed to be crying.

• American League 4, National League 3 (15 innings): The score may be different, but the outcome of the 2008 version of the Midsummer Classic ended in the same way as the previous 11 games - with an American League victory.
  Continue reading "Last Night's Action: A Game Neither League Could Win"

Before the start of the 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, there was one surprise in a heavily scripted pre-game celebration. Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner made an appearance on the field, handing out the balls for the ceremonial first pitch. The Boss made his way from the outfield via golf cart and handed balls to Reggie Jackson, Goose Gossage, Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra. This was a rare public appearance by Steinbrenner, who has remained outside the public eye for much of the past two years.

         

In case you didn't know, tonight is the Major League Baseball All-Star Game...AND it's the last one being played at Yankee Stadium (well, this Yankee Stadium--we're sure there will be an All-Star game at the new one soon enough). Today, the MLB held an All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade, to create even more buzz, photo ops, and a chance for fans to see legends and legends-in-the-making alike.

Major League Baseball's All-Star festivities are in full swing, finally culminating in tonight's game at Yankee Stadium. But before the National and American Leagues face off in the mid-summer classic, baseball's All-Stars will be parading up 6th Avenue in the Red Carpet Parade. Starting at 1pm, players in tonight's game and over 40 Hall of Fame members will make their way from Bryant Park (40th and 6th) north to 58th and 6th.

Though the All-Star Home Run Derby has lost some luster in recent years with some of the biggest sluggers not taking part, this year's offered an intriguing story in--and thrilling performance from--Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton. Hamilton, a recovering drug addict and left-handed hitter, managed to hit 28 home runs in the first round--20 more than the next person--and broke Bobby Abreu's record of 25 home runs during a derby round. And the audience at Yankee Stadium ate it up, chanting "Hamilton! Hamilton!"

           

After just making the All-Star roster last week, David Wright stopped by vitaminwater's Homers on the Hudson event. The contest gave people the chance to hit a ball off a tee 150 feet into an inflatable glove (on top of an inflatable vitaminwater bottle, of course) on a barge in the Hudson--if successful, they win $1 million. It wasn't very easy, for Wright or Jets safety Kerry Rhodes or any of the non-professional athletes, but actually rapper Fabolous did pretty well, managing to hit the glove.

If you're looking to retire early, or seize upon that soft Brooklyn real estate market, and you can hit a baseball with tremendous accuracy, then you should head down to Pier 61 in Chelsea tomorrow. From 10am to 1pm, vitaminwater is giving the first 200 people who show up a chance to hit a home run in their Homers in the Hudson promotion.

By hook or by crook (actually, by injury), David Wright has made the National League All-Star team. Missing out on the Final Vote yesterday to Corey Hart on the Brewers, Wright was named as a reserve today Major League Baseball, taking the spot vacated by injured Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano. Matt Holliday will take Soriano's spot as a starting outfielder. Wright, who will be making his 3rd appearance as an All-Star leads the Mets with 17 home runs and 70 RBI, joins fellow Met Billy Wagner on the NL side.

                  

As part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game celebrations, the DHL All-Star FanFest opened today at the Jacob Javits Center. Running through Tuesday, FanFest offers activities that any baseball fans of all ages can enjoy.

Despite our shameless last-minute plug for David Wright and Jason Giambi, neither of them made the 2008 All-Star Team in their respective league. The winners for the Final Vote were outfielder Corey Hart of the Brewers and Rays third baseman Evan Longoria. Hart presumably benefited from the Milwaukee's "I Hart NY" campaign while Longoria must have traded on Mrs. Tony Parker's fame.

With the Mets and Yankees putting forth middling seasons, that only four players total got selected to the July 14 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium should come as no surprise. Billy Wagner is the lone Mets representative (full NL roster), though he had an interesting way of celebrating. For the Yankees, Derek Jeter (undeserving) and Alex Rodriguez (most deserving) got voted in by the fans, and Mariano Rivera will join them as a reliever (full AL roster). Jason Giambi and Mike Mussina, who have both put up All-Star caliber first halves, didn't get the call.

       

Okay, it's not a makeover for the actual Lady Liberty in the New York Harbor, but Major League Baseball will be putting forty-two 8 1/2 feet tall Statues of Liberty (mini-Liberties) all around New York City to get the city excited for this year's All-Star Game, which will be played at Yankee Stadium.

Unless the Yankees turn things around, this summer's All-Star Game and the surrounding festivities will be the last time the current Yankee Stadium enjoys a national stage. If Major League Baseball has its way, one of the lasting images could be David Ortiz's attempt to hit a home run where a fan said the Red Sox slugger would.

A look at some noteworthy television this week:

For Yankee Stadium's last year - before a new park - Major League Baseball will be having the 2008 All Star Game in The House that Babe Built. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, "One of the biggest factors was George Steinbrenner. He has made wonderful contributions to this city and to the Yankees. Clearly one of the primary factors was to honor the city, the franchise and George Steinbrenner." Man, Selig makes it sound like Steinbrenner's going to die at some point! But we suppose MLB wants to honor Steinbrenner for driving up salaries so much. The Boss, who wasn't at the City Hall press conference, said he was touched.

Find out what it means to Tha D.