There were a few things missing from last night’s All-Star Game.  Since the only thing combustible in baseball these days seems to be a Manny Ramirez temper flare on par with Bob Knight and Lou Piniella, certainly Bud Selig and Co. were content with the fun loving nature of the 80th All-Star Game and celebrations in St. Louis, Missouri. 

          In about two hours and ten minutes, this game was at the American League’s disposal, a trend that started in 1997 and hasn’t stopped since. Last year we saw a pulse pounding finish in extra frames, this year, you saw far less than that. 

          American League hitters exposed Tim Lincecum and his bionic arm early in the game, going up 2-0 early thanks to a few infield miscues by David Wright (throwing across from third) and Albert Pujols (twice in the game, only one for an error). Give that man a standing ovation! He deserves it much more than our President, who was half cheered half jeered—BTW, 2008 was the first time a democratic candidate won the presidency without the state of Missouri.  

          Halladay wasn’t that much better either. He was rung up for three in the bottom of the second and was soon after replaced by White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle. Ironically, the blue team scored three runs while Obama was schmoozing with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver in the broadcast booth, and Buehrle had a one-two-three inning in the third. 

          The game featured some hitting, but no had more than one hit during the game. Busch Stadium is unofficially the gravitational antithesis of Yankee Stadium, and that idea was certainly reinforced last night; no balls reached the outer limits except one—a Carl Crawford no-look save for the American League that preserved the win and 20 moaning complaint calls to the Weiner Whiner Line. Papelbon was credited for the win. 

          There was no call to the bullpen for Tim Wakefield, the game was not close enough at hand to throw the Trump card to a knuckleball pitcher. Brandon Inge got significant playing time in the face of a devastating Home-Run Derby, he dropped a goose egg in the first round. If Ben Zobrist walked to load the bases in the top of the 8th—Inge would’ve had a chance for a grand salami! I’m just glad that it didn’t have to come to that. 

          But the delivery of the game had to go to President Obama, whose pre-game locker room appearance featured the star struck, priceless faces of Derek Jeter, Carlos Pena, Prince Fielder, amongst others. His first pitch wind up wasn't bad either, considering he was wearing a bullet proof vest as meaty as Prince Fielder's left thigh. Ichiro Suzuki wore his excitement on his face while Barack inked a Rawlings ball for the Japanese islander. It was so great to see that kind of interaction and was great publicity for Major League Baseball. 

           The red carpet show might have been presented by Chevy, and the Celebrity/Legends Softball game may or may not have been played for tacos, the real deal Buck-McCarver show was for all the marbles.  

          They made it their show, am I right or am I right? Joe Buck’s father Jack broadcasted games for the St. Louis Cardinals for over 30 years, moving on to work for CBS sports later in his career, joining a team of well-respected voices. This was a homecoming of sorts for Buck, who adores St. Louis and was cultured in this organization. Their commentary was what you've come to expect from the duo, no complaints over here.

          Right now, baseball is protecting the integrity of the game. The 80th All-Star celebrations were light, cheery, and pure, exactly what the game needed. The pre-game activities went on for over 35 minutes, and included a tear-jerking, tribute to their version of ‘Heroes Among Us’ priming with inspirational prose and instant gratification. The montage featuring the ‘formers’ preached strength and courage from world leaders who’ve all struggled through it.  

          Call it boring, call it dull, call it uneventful. Call it “The Theft of Tim Wakefield’s Glory” or “Roy Halladay’s Trading Tryout”—that’s not what I saw at all. The swift feet and quick thinking of players like Yadier Molina to catch a drifting first baseman, picking him off on the base path is just the sort of thing good baseball players should do. Jayson Werth made a sweet catch late in center field that looked effortless, and Carl Crawford showed signs of greatness with his All-Star snare.  

          The Homerun Derby was a fashion show – the All-Star game proved once again that tact, finesse, and a little bit of defense can be the ‘gateway’ to an October World Series in Boston. It’s all about state of mind in this state of play, and it starts on the road. Roy Halladay’s Trading Tryout and Media Nonsense begins again Friday in Toronto opposite Clay Buchholz.