All Star Game: Piazza catching for Clemens???

[Mickey's sunshine]

This should be one heck of an interesting All Star game if that happens! LOL


I read this:

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Look out Houston -- Piazza likely to catch Clemens

By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
July 4, 2004
NEW YORK (AP) -- Look out Houston, Roger Clemens is set to throw the first pitch of the All-Star game to his nemesis, Mike Piazza.

Clemens was picked for his first NL All-Star team Sunday and Piazza was elected by fans to start as the NL catcher for the July 13 game, which determines home-field advantage in the World Series.

A nine-time All-Star in the American League, Clemens was among five starting pitchers voted to the National League team by major league players, managers and coaches. The 41-year-old Clemens, joined by Arizona's Randy Johnson and Cincinnati's Barry Larkin as 40-plus All-Stars, is 10-2 in his first season with his hometown Astros, and is likely to start.


Piazza, in what will probably be his final All-Star appearance as a catcher, was elected to start for the 10th time, his 11th All-Star selection overall. He's caught just 34 games for the New York Mets this season and played first base in 37.

``We both have a job to do. I'm sure it will be totally professional,'' Piazza said. ``I don't think it's going to be that hard. We're two guys who know what to do.''

Clemens, then with the Yankees, beaned Piazza in July 2000. In Game 2 of the World Series that October, he threw the jagged barrel of a shattered bat in the direction of Piazza, earning a $50,000 fine.

``It's not that big a deal. It's definitely not larger than the game, unless you all make it that,'' Clemens said. ``I'm not too concerned about that. I'm professional about my work and so is Mike.''

There was just one change among starters in the final week of fan voting, with Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki overtaking the Yankees' Hideki Matsui for the final AL outfield spot.

Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sammy Sosa were elected to start in the NL outfield, the first time three players with 500 home runs will start.

``It's going to be fun playing with Junior,'' Bonds said.

Griffey, who reached 500 on June 20, is going to the All-Star game for the first time since 2000, which was his 11th straight selection. ``I'm the little guy in the outfield,'' he said.

Added Sosa: ``I'm really going to enjoy it because I don't know if it's ever going to happen again.''
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[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Johhny Estrada should be the starting catcher. Schmidt should be the starting pitcher. Melvin Mora should have made it, Javy Lopez should have made it, and Bobby Abreu as well.

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by JoeThaNo1Stunna
Johhny Estrada should be the starting catcher. Schmidt should be the starting pitcher. Melvin Mora should have made it, Javy Lopez should have made it, and Bobby Abreu as well.

You can vote for Abreu, at least, as the one extra reserve player still to be named. He's one of five NL players to choose from along with Steve Finley, Jason Kendall, Juan Pierre and Aramis Ramirez. Voting is at mlb.com.


I watched the ESPN show announcing the AS selections and they interviewed Jack McKeon, who said he really hadn't made a final decision as to who would be the starting pitcher for the NL. I would tend to agree that Schmidt should get the start but with the game being played in Houston, I'm sure McKeon will feel pressured to start Clemens, not to mention that Clemens/Schilling is the kind of marquee match-up that Bud & Co. would prefer. (Mulder should really start for the AL.)

Even though I'm a Yankees' fan, Giambi should NOT be the starting 1st baseman for the AL. Not to mention that as a NYY fan, I'd really prefer him to rest up from the parasite thing for the three day break.

 

[Big Dude]

This will indeed be the 1st time that Clemens will be able to intentionally throw at Piazza and not get chastized for it!

As for Clemens getting the starting nod, he and Schmidt have very similar stats this year and a case can be made for either. I would lean towards Clemens as his ERA is a bit better and he will be on his home field. This game counts for home field advantage in the WS so any advantage should be considered.

Adam aka Big Dude