July 2009
My 2009 All-Star Game Experience
If you allow yourself to be open to the struggles of humanity, it can sometimes be difficult to remain hopeful and positive. I try to educate myself on what is going on in the world. I try to remember that as I type away, in the comfort of my sitting room, with my A/C and chai latte, there are many things simultaneously occurring that are unfathomable and devastating. I try to remind myself daily of how blessed I am. I’m pretty good at remaining grateful. I can look at my family, friends and animals, and know that they are all a reflection of what is good in life.
It might seem weird that I’m starting a post about the All-Star Game with the above paragraph, but honestly, my experience at the All-Star Game always invokes a feeling of gratitude. It is a reminder that, not only am I blessed to be given the opportunities bestowed upon me, but also that I am blessed to have been born into this country.
Baseball is an escape for me. I get lost in it. Baseball is the coming together of unlike minds for a like purpose. Every moment before a pitch is thrown has its own pulse. Looking at a field and seeing all the greats in the game, in all their shapes and sizes–their different cultural backgrounds, history and cellular make up–is a reminder that anyone, from anywhere, can play the game of baseball. You don’t have to be seven feet tall or seven feet wide. It is the Everyman’s sport. Regardless of any controversy that surrounds baseball, this is what I think of when I look at all the greats on one field.
I had a beautiful time in St. Louis.
So thank you, St. Louis. Thank you, Busch Stadium. Thank you, MLB. Thank you, Ryan Howard. Thank you, G-iii Sports. Thank you, Aminco.
But most of all, thank you to those who came to meet me. I’m well aware that without your support not only of the clothing line, but also of me, none of these baseball experiences would be possible.
I am blessed. And I am grateful.
All-Star Game Appearances
This will be my fourth year attending the All-Star Game! Yeah, I’m pretty freaking lucky. It is always a surreal experience seeing all the greats sharing the same field. My eyes always wander not knowing exactly where to focus. Needless to say, I can’t wait!
Here are some cool All-Star Game facts I stumbled across, courtesy of The Sports Network:
GENERAL RECORDS
Largest Attendance, Game – 72,086
Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, August 9, 1981.
Smallest Attendance, Game – 25,556
Braves Field, Boston, July 7, 1936.
Longest Game, by Innings – 15
Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, July 11, 1967 (NL, 2-1).
Yankee Stadium, New York, July 15, 2008 (AL, 4-3).
Shortest Game, by Innings – 5
Shibe Park, Philadelphia, July 8, 1952 – rain (NL, 3-2).
Longest Nine-Inning Game, by Time
3 hours, 38 minutes – Coors Field,Denver, Colorado (AL, 13-8).
Shortest Nine-Inning Game, by Time
1 hour, 53 minutes – Sportsman’s Park, St. Louis, July 9, 1940 (NL, 4-0).
Longest Extra-Inning Game, by Time
4 hours, 50 minutes – Yankee Stadium, New York, July 15, 2008 (AL, 4-3), 15 innings.
Most Players, Nine-Inning Game, One Club – 29 – Accomplished three times:
NL, August 9, 1981
NL, July 10, 2001
AL, July 11, 2000
AL, July 10, 2001
Most Players, Nine-Inning Game, Both Clubs – 58
NL (29), AL (29), July 10, 2001
Most Players, Extra-Inning Game, One Club – 32
AL, July 15, 2008
Most Players, Extra-Inning Game, Both Clubs – 63
AL (32), NL (31), July 15, 2008, 15 innings.
Most Players Left on Base, Both Clubs – 28
July 15, 2008.
Fewest Players, Game, One Club – 11
AL, July 6, 1942.
Fewest Players, Game, Both Clubs – 27
AL (15), NL (12), July 6, 1938.
Earliest Date For All-Star Game Latest Date For All-Star Game
July 6, 1933 At Comiskey Park August 9, 1981 At Municipal Stadium
July 6, 1938 At Crosley Field
July 6, 1942 At Polo Grounds
July 6, 1983 At Comiskey Park
All-Star Games Won-Lost Most Consecutive Games Won
40 — National League 11 — National League (1972-1982)
36 — American League Longest Unbeaten Streak
(Two Ties) 12 — American League (1997-2008)
MANAGERS
GAMES
Most All-Star games managed
10 Casey Stengel, AL, 1950-1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 (both), (won 4, lost 6)
Most consecutive All-Star games managed
5 Casey Stengel, AL, 1950-1954; also 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 (both)
GAMES WON
Most All-Star games won as manager
7 Walter Alston, NL, 1956, 1960 (both), 1964, 1966, 1967, 1975 (lost 2)
Most All-Star games won as undefeated manager
5 Joe Torre, AL, 1997, 1999 through 2001, 2004 (tie in 2003)
Most consecutive victories as All-Star manager
6 Walter Alston, NL, 1960 (both), 1964, 1966, 1967, 1975
Most consecutive years managing All-Star winners
3 Tony La Russa, AL, 1989-1991
Joe Torre, AL, 1999-2001 (tie in 2002)
Most All-Star games won as manager, one season
2 Walter Alston, NL, July 11, July 13, 1960
GAMES LOST
Most All-Star games lost as manager
6 Casey Stengel, AL, 1950-1953, 1956, 1959 (1st), (won 4)
Most All-Star games lost as winless manager
5 Al Lopez, AL, 1955, 1960 (both), 1964, 1965
Most consecutive defeats as All-Star manager
5 Al Lopez, AL, 1955, 1960 (both), 1964, 1965
Most consecutive years managing All-Star losers
4 Casey Stengel, AL, 1950-1953
Most All-Star games lost as manager, one season
2 Al Lopez, AL, July 11, July 13, 1960
UMPIRES
Most games umpired
7 Bill Summers, AL, 1936, 1941, 1946, 1949, 1952, 1955, 1959 (2nd)
Al Barlick, NL, 1942, 1949, 1952, 1955, 1959 (1st), 1966, 1970
Most consecutive games umpired
2 – Many umpires
If you’re going to be in St. Louis, PLEASE come visit me! I will be doing two appearances during the All-Star Week festivities.
The first will be at the TOUCH Boutique at Busch Stadium on Sunday, July 12, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., in between the XM All-Star Futures Game and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game.
The second will be at the All-Star Fan Fest at America’s Center Convention Complex in the heart of downtown St. Louis, on Monday, July 13, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. I will be signing in the Minor League Baseball Attraction located in Hall 1.
Hope to see you there!
Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa
P.S. Dodgers fans, vote for Matt Kemp here. He is losing to a GIANT. Are you okay with that? LOL.
P.P.S. Follow me on Twitter as I update live from St. Louis starting on Saturday.
Alyssa Milano
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