SnakeBytes, 7/14: Day Off Edition

Ah, the day after the All Star Game.  Where we all sit back, take a breath and say- "Wait, there's no game on?"  Yeah, I've been told that the day before and after the All Star Game are the only days of the year that the big four leagues do not play at all, so we're left with a sunny, too-hot afternoon and no sports to keep us busy.  Tragic.  But, hey, at least this time we don't get to spend the afternoon annoyed that the AL beat us again, right?

Recaps:

• [nytimes.com] N.L. Gains an Edge by Playing the Game to Win - It's possible they also gave 110%.

• [mlive.com] Matt Thornton gives up bases-loaded double as NL all-stars beat AL, 3-1 - I know you've been wondering, why has Valverde been so good this year?  Well, he says: "The only guy who knows is God."  That's a little vague, but I will say this: when asked about it, catcher Jesus Montero refused to comment.

• [nj.com] No A-Rod: Proof the All Star Game Still Doesn't Matter - Because, deep down, A-Rod is all that matters to baseball.

• [yahoo.com] A few leftover thoughts from the 81st All-Star Game - It was an interesting All-Star Game, but certainly could have used some improvement.

After the jump: more baseball stories.  I know, it's a change of pace.

• [azcentral.com] Arizona Diamondbacks prepare for 2011 MLB All-Star Game - Regardless of the protests and (sometimes quickly retracted) threats of boycotts by players, MLB shows no signs that they'll move next year's All Star Game.  There's plenty of preparation to be done, even this early.

• [bleacherreport.com] Chris Young Representing the Arizona Diamondbacks - Sure, CY's gotten a lot of coverage the past few days.  But the guy deserves it.

• [dbacks.com] Eyes on D-backs during second half - We may be, for all intents and purposes, eliminated from the playoff race.  But that doesn't mean our suffering the season is over yet.

• [fanster.com] D-backs have nice offensive history in All-Star Games - The Dbacks, collectively, are batting .440 in the All Star Game? Not too bad.

Around Baseball:

• [AZCentral] Florida withdraws from pursuit of Cubs - See?  Naples was always a viabl- bwahahahahahaha!  Oh, man, I couldn't even get through that without laughing.  Now I'm sure that Mesa will take a tough negoti- oh, I couldn't even get though that without getting bitter and sort of depressed.

• [milb.com] IL, PCL set to renew All-Star rivalry - The AAA All Star Game takes place tonight. The Aces will be represented by Doug Deeds, who was named to the team after Jordan Norberto was called up to the majors.

• [dallasnews.com] No jube at the plate? Archival photo shows walk-off home run in 1949 World Series. - An interesting contrast to what you see in any game today. You can be certain nobody fractured a leg during this play.

• [jsonline.com] Boras offers his rebuttal - Apparently, Scott Boras is tired of people, specifically Buster Olney, questioning Prince Fielder's physique. So he calls up a columnist to complain about it. I can only wonder if The Onion is also getting a call.

• [yahoo.com] Reds' Votto dislikes Cubs, disses All-Star teammate Byrd - This is what I've always wondered about. These players play each other the whole season long- do they set aside those rivalries, some of which are less than friendly, for one game against the AL?

• [fangraphs.com] Posnanski’s Radical Idea - Should middle relievers be in the All Star Game? Joe Posnanski says no, but FanGraphs considers the question.

So, on with your day.  No baseball?  I don't know what to do with this free time!