Starting right now on FOX is your 2009 MLB All-Star Game. There’s about 4 hours of pregame nonsense before the actual game gets played. I hope they have the lights turned on already because it’ll be dark by the time they’re done introducing each team. The only cool part was watching President Obama meet the guys in the locker rooms. That was neat.

Albert Pujols and President Barack Obama

Albert Pujols and President Barack Obama

Also, interestingly enough, when President Obama throws out the ceremonial first pitch… guess who is going to be catching for him? El Hombre himself, Albert Pujols. I’m not sure why it isn’t the home-town catcher who made the All-Star team, Yadier Molina, but it’s cool nonetheless. Stan “The Man” Musial is delivering the first pitch ball to President Obama.

Sheryl Crow kind-of mangles the National Anthem, but Sara Evans does an excellent job on “God Bless America.”

The National League hasn’t won an All-Star game since 1996 and now that it actually matters, I’d really like us to take a win one of these years. I really feel like not having home field advantage in 2004 hurt the St. Louis Cardinals. The starting lineups are as follows:

American League
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Mariners
2. Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees
3. Joe Mauer, C, Twins
4. Mark Texeira, 1B, Yankees
5. Jason Bay, LF, Red Sox
6. Josh Hamilton, CF, Rangers
7. Michael Young, 3B, Rangers
8. Aaron Hill, 2B, Blue Jays
9. Roy Halladay, P, Blue Jays

National League
1. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins
2. Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies
3. Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
4. Ryan Braun, RF, Brewers
5. Raul Ibanez, LF, Phillies
6. David Wright, 3B, Mets
7. Shane Victorino, CF, Phillies
8. Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals
9. Tim Lincecum, P, Giants

Tagged: , , , , ,