All-Star Game Recap on Saddest Day of Baseball Season

My Fellow Phans,

Today is probably the saddest day of the baseball season. Today, there is absolutely no baseball activities. It is the final day of the All-Star Break. What a break it has been though. I'm sure many of you saw the historic All-Star Game last night in which the National League won its first ASG since 1996 when they played right here in Philadelphia. Keeping with that Phillies theme sort of, it was a night for former Phillies and "Phillie Killers" to shine especially in the inning when the National League pulled ahead.

The players I speak of are Phillies' former player to hate; Scott Rolen, former outfielder Marlon Byrd and certified Phillie' Killer Brian McCann. The first key play was Scott Rolen going from first to third on a single to center-field. Now, I am not a fan of Rolen's attitude sometimes, but outside of Chase Utley, there may not be a harder playing player in the game today. One thing that Rolen does well is run hard and run smartly.He showed both those skills last night. Granted, it didn't really matter as he would have scored anyway, but it was still an impressive play. Unlike some players who made boneheaded mistakes, Joe Mauer!, or just seemed to give a half assed effort. Of course, we all know about Matt Holliday's iffy defense. Just ask the Dodgers that one during the NLCS in 2008....

Marlon Byrd's walk in the inning was easily the biggest play of the game. Facing a tough Matt Thorton, Byrd battled and battled and eventually worked out a walk allowing the hero of the evening, Brian McCann, to come to the plate. McCann laced a fastball from Thorton down the line for a bases clearing double. It was the only inning that the NL scored, but it was all they needed as their strong pitching got them out of trouble.

Kudos to Matt Capps who came in to replace Roy Halladay. I'm not exactly sure why he did mid-inning, but he made a perfect pitch to David Ortiz to get the NL out of a possibly tight situation. He earned the win in the 3-1 victory. Yankees young gun Phil Hughes took the loss, but don't worry Phil, I see many an All-Star Games in your future. You'll have another shot...

This win gives the NL representative home field advantage in the World Series. Who will that be exactly? I guess we will wait and see... The second half begins tomorrow.....

Until we meet again Phillies Fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!