National League Defeated American League 3-1 in 2010 All-Star Game at Angels Stadium Tuesday for First Win Since 1996

It’s been a while since the National League won the All-Star game and I’m glad that they did last night. This will give the NL team the home field advantage in the World Series. Met David Wright made the most of his appearance as the NL starting third baseman going 2-for-3 with a stolen base. The game was dominated by excellent pitching by both teams. Yankee starter Phil Hughes was on the mound in the 7th inning when the National League struck. Two things of note that made the game enjoyable were watching Yankee Alex Rodriguez (aka A-Roid) not get into the game and the NL’s right fielder Marlon Byrd’s great play in the bottom of the 9th inning. A-Roid was getting warmed up since the 6th inning, expecting to go into the game shortly. The camera kept showing him stretching in the dugout and anticipating the call from the AL’s manager, also his manager with the New York Yankees, Joe Girardi. The skipper never called his name. I was floored by the snub. With the tying run in Big Papi David Ortiz on first base a bloop single was dropped in front of Marlon Byrd. The right fielder played the ball on a short-hop and gunned it to second base to force out Ortiz to keep him out of scoring position. It was the heads-up play of the night. I believe the National League wanted the game more as it was played that way and managed that way by Charlie Manuel. I remember watching an All-Star game from the mid-70s and they introduced new fins in lieu of donuts for use in the on-deck circle. That concept didn’t come into play when the regular season resumed. This year Rawlings improved the look of the safer batting helmet and many of the players wore them last night. I’m not sure if that will translate into use during the season but it’s a great idea.