2009 All-Star ERA: Tim Lincecum 4.50, Dan Haren 0.00

by Jim McLennan on Jul 15, 2009 1:32 AM EDT in Diamondbacks News

Any questions?

It is quite possible that, if Dan Haren had started the All-Star Game tonight, the National League might have ended that long streak of futility. Unfortunately, he didn't, and a poor first inning from 'The Freak' - two hits and a hit batter - not exactly helped by Albert Pujols' error, let the American League score two runs. They went on to win by one, 4-3, and the National League extended it to thirteen years without a victory. This guarantees the American League home-field advantage in the World Series, which is how it has been every single year since the rule was introduced. Nice work, Bud.

Mixed fortunes for the two Diamondbacks who took part. Haren pitched a scoreless fourth inning, allowing only a harmless two-out single to Michael Young. However, Justin Upton, in his All-Star debut, went 0-for-2. He grounded out to short off Felix Hernandez in the sixth, then repeated the same out to lead off the ninth inning, facing Mariano Rivera . I had visions of him homering to tie the game up - that'd have been fabulous, as only one other 21-year old has ever gone deep in the All-Star Game [Johnny Bench in 1969]. However, it was not to be. Sure it was still a fabulous experience for him.

The result has basically no significance for the Diamondbacks, since the odds of us reaching the World Series are basically negligible. Baseball Prospectus currently rates our chances of even making the playoffs as less than 0.2%. So, all told, I'm not unhappy with the result - anything that makes it harder for the Dodgers, Giants, Cubs, etc. to win it all, is not something I mind too much. Two more off-days for Arizona will follow; the mid-season report-card should be ready to go tomorrow, and then the rest of the team rejoins Haren and Upton in St. Louis for the opening series of the second half, against the Cardinals. Here's to more errors by Pujols.

Tweet Comment 58 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Furthermore

Dan Haren: 0.00 ERA
NL West pitchers not named Dan Haren: 6.75 ERA

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 15, 2009 2:23 AM EDT reply actions

That is the stat line that hurts the most.

by older fart on Jul 15, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Haren is a stud

Sorry about Mark not making it, rest assured as a fan of the Halos I did my part, voted for the Reynolds/Figgy ticket well over 300 hundred times.

YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....

by halofolife on Jul 15, 2009 2:40 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks.

Don’t worry, we were all voting for Figgins too. I know I was.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 3:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I have to say...

I am not a troll, and I actually pull for the Dbacks (not against the Halos of course ) especially considering you are the rivals and enemies of the doyers, but is Haren really being shopped for a trade? I can’t believe the Dbacks could possibly be that stupid. Haren is a STUD, when I heard the A’ss traded him I was ecstatic, since the Halos wouldn’t face him anymore. Is there any truth to this? Just wondering, go Arizona!!! ( As long as its not against the Halos LOL )

YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....

by halofolife on Jul 15, 2009 4:34 AM EDT reply actions

Just rumors.

I imagine they are listening to offers that teams give them but it’ll take a whole lot for us to actually trade him.

Sports 620 KTAR, the sports channel in AZ, has some good reporters that seem to have really good sources. They keep saying that their sources say this is just a rumor and that Haren is not going anywhere unless they are just blown away by some offer.

by Pyromnc on Jul 15, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh and by the way....

I voted for Figgins along Reynolds also. Was glad to see he got in there, although he should have been chosen over Pena.

by Pyromnc on Jul 15, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

it would take Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner

to even consider a deal for Haren if it was me playing GM.

Go DBacks!

by JustAJ on Jul 15, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Except not

Because that would be trading him in-division. And that will NEVER happen. Try Smoak/Feliz, Gamel/Escobar, etc. as the beginning pieces to a deal. Although I’ll admit, if we could pull Smoak, and Feliz/Andrus from the Rangers with other high-risk, high-reward pieces, I might, to steal a line from Bill Simmons, run naked through the streets. Or at least, I would have before the Allen trade. Whoops.

Someone pay Eric Byrnes $500,000 to be extreme and base jump into the Grand Canyon. Then screw with his equipment. Please.

by Dan Strittmatter on Jul 16, 2009 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Not

an unreasonable questions, but no one knows. They’ll have to move someone if they want to even pretend to be competitive next year but who knows yet who, or when.

I was so lucky getting mono. That was like the best diet ever.

by soco on Jul 15, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I still think that isn't Haren

Trading Haren would hurt our competitiveness next year more than it would help it unless someone was so desperate that they gave us an insane package for him.

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 15, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Alex Rodriguez + Joba Chamberlain

for Danny Haren

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know

Maybe if the Yankees pick up a lot of A-Rod’s salary.

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 15, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, pretty much.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay,

Alex Rodriguez + Joba Chamberlain + Mark Teixeira for Danny Haren.

Plus, the Yankees get to pay their salaries.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm

throw in a dozen bagels and we have a deal.

I was so lucky getting mono. That was like the best diet ever.

by soco on Jul 15, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

No!

No bagels. That’s a dealbreaker!

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

It would

really have to be a deal that blows them out of the water for them to trade him.

That being said, since we’re not really in contention anymore, it would be irresponsible for the FO not to listen to all deals.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Incidentally,

did anyone ask Charlie Manuel after the game why the Hell he had Upton playing LF? He hasn’t played a single game in LF since he’s been in the Dbacks organization…. (87 minor league games in CF, 22 minor league games in RF, 225 major league games in RF)

Besides, the only CF on the NL roster was Victorino. So why not have Upton play CF?

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

Because Manuel thinks Werth is a CF.

by Pyromnc on Jul 15, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

....then again,

Manuel also thinks Werth is an All Star.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh snap!

Sorry, I watched Zoolander a couple nights ago.

Someone pay Eric Byrnes $500,000 to be extreme and base jump into the Grand Canyon. Then screw with his equipment. Please.

by Dan Strittmatter on Jul 16, 2009 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Haha.

It’s all good. Zoolander is my ex-gf’s and my movie.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 16, 2009 5:51 AM EDT up reply actions

This was my defense about

Upton missing that ball over his head that turned into a triple. He’s not a left fielder and that ball would have been a hell of a catch for anyone.

Zug be with you.
And also with you.

by NewJackCity on Jul 15, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

It would

also explain why he played the ball to the wrong side. (He played it to bounce to the left, but it bounced to the right instead)

Not to mention the fact that the OFs were, quite reasonably, playing Granderson shallow.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Can we blame Lincecum for the loss instead?

In play, out(s)

by dima1109 on Jul 15, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I am blaming Charlie Manuel for the loss.

by Pyromnc on Jul 15, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm blaming

Tarlie Mancecum.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I was pretty much @pe$h!t over that, too!

I had the sound off, by choice. Did the announcers point out that Justin had never played left?

by older fart on Jul 15, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope.

Although they did make plenty of stupid statements.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

anticipation of which is why I had the sound off

by older fart on Jul 15, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

The All Star Game Is Pointless

Now I think that any all-star / pro-bowl / popularity contest is pointless in any sport but this holds especially true in baseball. First – the game is obviously played by both the players and managers as one that has no consequence (my 2 cents from last year’s exercise in futility).

We routinely see moves that are not in the interest of winning which leaves the fan to wonder, why the heck should I watch this drivel? The recent attempt to create meaning where there is none (granting the ‘winning’ league home field advantage in the series) has only exasterbated the irritation that is the mid-summer ‘classic’ by ensuring a team (one that will one day have had no representatives in the stinking game) is placed at a disadvantage in the series through no fault or action of their own.

Lets finally do away with this pointless exercise, give the players a week off and have the home run derby span 2 days with double the entrants.

by impliedmortality on Jul 15, 2009 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

Welcome to the Snakepit!

I assume that by “one that will one day have had no representatives in the stinking game”, you mean “no representatives that actually played”, right? Because MLB rules state that every team must have at least 1 representative in the game.

MLB needs to do away with the home field advantage rule, because it’s just plain stupid and perpetually puts the NL at a disadvantage, but I don’t agree with completely giving up the game.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't argue with much of that

Though I wouldn’t get rid of it entirely. I have no problem with it being a pointless exercise, even though its purpose became severely diluted after the introduction of Interleague play [before which it was the only time outside the World Series to see any NL players facing AL ones]. It’s a damn sight better than the NFL Pro Bowl, certainly.

But if it’s going to count, then managers need to be free from all the restrictions. No more “one player from every team.” No more “everyone gets to play.” Maybe they should just have the team with the best record in the AL play the team with the best record in the NL instead, in a game that doesn’t count for the standing, but let that decide home-field advantage. Given those two teams are the most likely ones to benefit, it’d certainly ramp up the intensity.

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 15, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

It did create one of the better oxymorons, though

Meaningful Exhibition

by older fart on Jul 15, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Ummm...

Well… I agree… Except for the whole two days of Derby part. Because the Derby routinely (as it did this year) blows. A lot.

Someone pay Eric Byrnes $500,000 to be extreme and base jump into the Grand Canyon. Then screw with his equipment. Please.

by Dan Strittmatter on Jul 16, 2009 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Stupid Lincecum

I blame him for my loss of $25. And the Dodgers.
And Padres.

by Wailord on Jul 15, 2009 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

And

Charlie Manuel, for not starting Haren and for only pitching Haren 1 inning?

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Yahoo Sports declares "The Freak" as the 1st half NL Cy Young

because he is “right there with or ahead of Haren in every statistical category”
Yeah, except Haren is ahead in all but wins and K’s, the two that don’t necessarily mean you’re any good.
Oh the joys of being a fan of a small-market team…

by UAwildcats on Jul 16, 2009 1:51 AM EDT reply actions

Yahoo Sports clearly uses the phrase "right there with" very loosely.

It is such a shame.

Someone pay Eric Byrnes $500,000 to be extreme and base jump into the Grand Canyon. Then screw with his equipment. Please.

by Dan Strittmatter on Jul 16, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Worst part is

Lincecum probably will win the actual award at the end of the year just for those reasons alone…

by UAwildcats on Jul 16, 2009 2:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course

It’s fascinating how little credit Haren gets. Seriously, his ERA is insane, and there’s the fact that he’s averaging about allowing one baserunner for every four outs he gets…

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 16, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Also

If he’d look at the same numbers that apparently impressed him about Greinke, Haren beats or ties Lincecum in all three categories.

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 16, 2009 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep

The media is completely in love with Lincecum. I like how he uses the video game commercial with there being two Lincecum’s as an actual reason… good work Mr. Brown.

by UAwildcats on Jul 16, 2009 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Seriously,

I hope that kid gets chicken pox and dies.

Okay, doesn’t die, but I hope he gets chicken pox and is rendered infertile. (It happens)

Okay, I hope he gets sick and doesn’t win the Cy Young.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 16, 2009 5:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Somebody

look back and check how Brown voted in the 2004 Cy Young race…..

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 16, 2009 6:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Stupidly

I was so lucky getting mono. That was like the best diet ever.

by soco on Jul 16, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Ugh, seriously

Sorry, haven’t been around this season. Life has been crazy. And the DBacks are not exactly inspiring.

Anyway, this is totally true. There was a show on XM radio where the hosts said they didn’t want Haren to start the All Star game because they found him boring. But, Lincecum was EXCITING! Um, isn’t the point to win? I mean, I can see if it really was just an exhibition game and meant nothing. But, if you are trying to win and get home field for the World Series, wouldn’t you look at ERA and WHIP to decide who starts? How stupid.

by SongBird on Jul 18, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Haren's "boring"

because he doesn’t allow any baserunners, I guess? While Lincecum’s “exciting” because when he pitches, he looks like a 14 year old having a seizure?

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 19, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Welcome to the Snakepit!

Oh yeah, and **** Lincecum. Barbie Doll can suck my balls.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 16, 2009 6:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Anybody listen to “fantasy focus”? Matthew Berry has a profound animosity to our boy… anyway, it sounds like they’re probably going to have Haren on soon. I’ll keep you posted if and when there is an interview. It should be entertaining. Now all we got to do is have Haren lock down a solid 2nd half and prove all the doubters wrong.

"Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America."
-- Bruce Catton

by njjohn on Jul 16, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions