ANAHEIM, Calif. — What is striking about the All-Star Game is that it’s not much different than a Rockies game. That’s a good thing.
It was crisp, well-played and defined by pitching and defense. Baseball has changed before our eyes. The days of muscled-up WWE sluggers are over. The formula now is closer to hockey than arena football: Dump and chase.
In other words, keep the opponent off the scoreboard and maximize a few limited opportunities.
“I like it. We are getting back to how the game was played in the ’70s and ’80s,” said Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun, who made a terrific diving catch. “It’s about doing all the little things. Moving runners, sacrifice bunts. I know it might not be as fun for the fans who want to see the home runs. But it’s how the game was meant to be played.”
The business model has shifted. Teams are built around athletes, focusing more on run prevention than run scoring. Rockies manager Jim Tracy lives by the credo that “hits come and go, but you need to pitch and play defense every day.”
So it’s easy to see why many people are staying with the Rockies to win the NL West. Even with more hiccups than expected defensively, their gloves still rank among the league’s best, and their rotation, if Jorge De La Rosa regains his form, is comparable to any NL contender.
“It’s going to come right down to the end,” Dodgers all-star Andre Ethier said. “This is not an easy division to hit in. Every night, it seems like it’s hard to score.”
Selig sidesteps Phoenix question.
In his annual meeting with the Baseball Writers of America, commissioner Bud Selig gently sidestepped the controversial topic of whether baseball will consider moving next year’s All-Star Game from Phoenix. He called it a “political issue.” The inference was that Arizona’s immigration law needs to be addressed on Capitol Hill, not by baseball. Several players, including Tigers closer Jose Valverde, said Monday they would consider boycotting next year’s game if it was held in Phoenix.
On other issues, Selig said the Rays need a new stadium to compete financially, the complicated sale of the Rangers will be guided by the court and no decision has been made regarding the host for the 2013 All-Star Game, though the Mets remain strong candidates.
Footnotes.
With Florida open for business, another player who could fit for the Rockies is infielder Jorge Cantu. The right-handed batter consistently drives in runs. . . . Troy Tulowitzki, out since mid-June with a broken left wrist, played catch and took groundballs during All-Star Game batting practice. Tulowitzki plans to take BP on Friday in Cincinnati. If he’s able to swing at full strength and feels fine the following day, a rehab assignment will soon follow. Derek Jeter, who has long been a fan of Tulowitzki’s, has followed him even more closely after working a winter camp together in New York. “The only thing standing in his way is health,” Jeter said. “When he’s on the field, he’s one of the best players.” . . . The Rockies’ need for a reliever could crystallize over the next two weeks. Taylor Buchholz has struggled in Triple-A, but Matt Daley (shoulder) is making progress. He threw 13 pitches Monday, recording three groundouts for Double-A Tulsa. He is scheduled to pitch Thursday and Saturday for the Drillers, then could move to Triple-A. “I was happy with that outing, all in all, for the first time back,” Daley said. . . . David Wright said he wasn’t pulled because rival Phillies manager Charlie Manuel didn’t want a Met to win MVP honors. “No, it was prearranged. He told us all when we were coming out,” said Wright, who is 6-for-13 in All-Star Games. . . . Ichiro Suzuki set a record with his ninth start as the AL’s leadoff hitter. . . . All the players were wearing bigger helmets with more padding, designed to prevent concussions. “It was what was in the cubbyhole. If it protects the melon a little better, I am for it,” Wright said.
