SB Nation Detroit - MLB All-Star Game 2012: Justin Verlander Takes Loss As NL Shuts Out ALhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2012-07-11T13:07:04-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28439602012-07-11T13:07:04-04:002012-07-11T13:07:04-04:00Justin Verlander's Comments After All-Star Game Start Were Troublesome, Confusing And Should Send A Message To Bud Selig
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/58wPFoWu_l3MKTbRjBmJLRjrvew=/0x194:467x505/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7842067/148134957.jpg" />
<figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Justin Verlander said after his All-Star start that he was merely trying to put on a show for the fans, results be damned. "This Time It Counts", huh? </p> <p>It's a crying shame that the MLB All-Star Game continues to mean anything at all beyond a chance for baseball fans to witness some of the game's biggest stars on a single stage. That grievance will continue to be beaten to a bloody pulp like it's one of Tuco's sidekicks until Bug Selig realizes the error of his ways. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, since 2003, the game dictates which League's World Series representative will have home field advantage. While it has been argued that<a target="_blank" href="http://harvardsportsanalysis.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/mlb-playoff-home-field-advantage-is-tinier-than-david-eckstein/"> the benefit is not as big as one might think</a>, it's impossible to ignore that 21 of the last 26 World Series champions have had home field and the last nine Game 7s have gone to the home team. </p>
<p>On Tuesday night, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a>' <span>Justin Verlander</span> started for the American League, as you already know. The Tigers are contenders despite currently being in third place in the AL Central Division and, thus, Verlander had a chance to potentially help the Tigers, albeit ever slightly. </p>
<p>Instead, Verlander got his tits lit up for five runs in a single inning of work (he was supposed to pitch two innings), more than enough for the National League in their shutout victory. The National League World Series participant will now have home field in the Fall Classic.</p>
<p>Was Verlander missing his spots because of nerves or because he was too amped up, as Baseball Tonight speculated? Verlander explained what happened after <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120711/SPORTS02/207110437/major-league-baseball-all-star-game-kansas-city" target="_blank">his start</a>: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>"That's why I don't try to throw 100 in the first inning -- it doesn't usually work out too well for me," Verlander said. He referred to his regular-season approach, in which he opens in the low 90s. [...]</p>
<p>"I don't want to give up runs, and I know (this game) means something," he said. "But we're here for the fans, and I know the fans don't want to see me throw 90 and try to hit the corners. So let (it go) and have fun. ... I really enjoyed being here."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I have a couple beefs with Verlander's pitching approach. One is that he knew pumping 100 in the first is not usually successful for him and, in a game in which he knew could mean something for his team, he did it anyway. Two, and more importantly in a game that should just be an exhibition game, he didn't seem to know what the fans really wanted to see. At least not this fan.</p>
<p>Sure, it's fun to see triple digits light up the radar gun, but it means nothing if it comes with hits and walks and runs. Ryan Perry can light up a radar gun for an inning, but he's insufferable. </p>
<p>Verlander is the best pitcher in baseball because of his pin-point control and devastating breaking ball. He enters into another world of pitchers when he shows off his late-inning gas, but that's not the biggest reason he's such a joy to watch.</p>
<p>Further, these comments are confusing to me because Verlander is ultra-competitive. I mean, <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinVerlander/status/222092172680372226" target="_blank">he tweeted about a couple of Yahtzee wins against his family</a> the other day.</p>
<p>He knew this game might mean something; he's on a national stage, facing the game's best hitters from the National League; and he decided to go with a strategy that he knew had a pretty good chance of rendering poor results. That doesn't sound like Verlander. Maybe the competitor in him wasn't willing to admit defeat, so he made up somewhat of an excuse after the fact. Maybe he put his competitiveness aside for the occasion. I don't know for sure, but all past signs indicate that Verlander would've wanted to impress by dominating at all costs, not by simply throwing hard. </p>
<p>If anything, though, I guess Verlander's comments should be an eye-opener to Bud Selig. If one of the game's most competitive pitchers is willing to sacrifice results to put on a radar gun show, then <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/7/9/3146830/all-star-game-world-series-home-field-this-time-it-counts-bud-selig" target="_blank">how can anyone take "This Time It Counts" seriously?</a> I don't suspect there are many people who do, including the players obviously, but this should finally get everyone on the same page.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2012/7/11/3151537/justin-verlander-mlb-all-star-game-2012-quotesPackey2012-07-11T11:57:28-04:002012-07-11T11:57:28-04:002012 MLB All-Star Game: Justin Verlander's Start Historically Bad
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H1nkJZEKgNB4flMOTtEjqeuhPPs=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828117/large_detroit.sbnation.com.minimal.66294.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>We all know that <span>Justin Verlander's</span> start in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game was bad. It turns out that his one inning of work, while immensely entertaining to watch (especially if you're a fan of an NL team!) was historically disastrous. Five runs were given up by Verlander in only one inning, and the only real highlight was up on the speed gun screen where triple digits kept flashing. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/07/justin_verlander_matches_denny.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mlive_sports+%28MLive.com+Sports%29">MLive.com put out a little piece detailing every start in the history of the All-Star Game </a>by a Detroit Tigers pitcher, and it's easy to compare all of them and put Verlander's start at the bottom. Hal Newhouser, Denny McLain, Jack Morris, <span>Kenny Rogers</span> and Mark Fidrych were the other Tigers starters in question and only Fidrych came close to Verlander's start:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In his lone All-Star start, Fidrych struggled from the get-go, giving up a leadoff single before serving a standup triple to Steve Garvey. A two-time All-Star, Fidrych didn't return after two innings, giving up two runs on four hits -- striking out one.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Turns out that it might have been historically bad for the ASG in general, not just among the various Tigers pitchers that have taken the mound:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>He became only the third pitcher in All-Star Game history to allow five-plus runs in one or fewer innings pitched, joining Atlee Hammaker (1983) and Sandy Consuegra (1954).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>But hey, he did hit 101 miles per hour and gave the fans a show. He's said already<a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2012/7/11/3151502/2012-mlb-all-star-game-justin-verlander/in/2843960"> that's what was really important about the whole thing</a>. It's not like his talent is going to be questioned simply because he got roughed up in an exhibition game.</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>, check out</i><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/"><i> </i><i>Bless You Boys</i></a><i>. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at</i><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><i> </i><i>Baseball Nation</i></a><i>, or watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:</i></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2012/7/11/3151578/2012-mlb-all-star-game-justin-verlander-tigers-pitchersChris White2012-07-11T11:27:19-04:002012-07-11T11:27:19-04:002012 MLB All-Star Game: Justin Verlander Says All-Star Game Was 'For The Fans'
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H1nkJZEKgNB4flMOTtEjqeuhPPs=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828117/large_detroit.sbnation.com.minimal.66294.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>There's no way around it, <span>Justin Verlander</span> was absolutely roughed up during the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. He had an awful inning of play to give the NL a quick 5-0 lead, which they held on to and won the game with. It was no drop in form for Verlander though, he was just there to entertain.</p>
<p>He already said during the game that he had been told to try and throw 101 mile per hour fastballs and was going with high velocity over solid control to give the fans something to talk about. <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/justin-verlander-all-star-game-national-league-beats-american-league-detroit-tigers-star-still-entertains-071012">He extrapolated on that a bit after the game</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"Obviously, I don't want to give up runs. I know it means something, but we're here for the fans. And I know the fans don't want to see me throw 90 and try to hit the corners. Just let it eat." </i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>If entertainment is what Verlander was going for, he certainly provided it -- though the fans of AL teams in the stands were assuredly not incredibly pleased about it as they dropped not only the game, but a chance at getting home field advantage in the World Series.</p>
<p>That's what happens when you make an exhibition game matter in the final series of the year. Entertainment has just a twinge of disappointment to it in the end, at least to somebody.</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>, check out</i><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/"><i> </i><i>Bless You Boys</i></a><i>. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at</i><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><i> </i><i>Baseball Nation</i></a><i>, or watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:</i></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2012/7/11/3151502/2012-mlb-all-star-game-justin-verlanderChris White2012-07-10T23:30:35-04:002012-07-10T23:30:35-04:00MLB All-Star Game 2012: NL Wins 8-0; Verlander, Fielder Have Fun Despite Loss
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H1nkJZEKgNB4flMOTtEjqeuhPPs=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828117/large_detroit.sbnation.com.minimal.66294.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The MLB All-Star Game isn't officially an exhibition game since home-field advantage in the World Series is on the line. But that doesn't mean the game isn't fun for the players regardless of the outcome.</p>
<p>The National League won home-field advantage and the game, 8-0, as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> right-hander <span>Justin Verlander</span> took the loss after giving up five runs in his first career All-Star start. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> showed up big with starter <span>Matt Cain</span> earning the win and center fielder <span>Melky Cabrera</span> earning the MVP award for his two hits, including a two-run homer in the fourth inning.</p>
<p>While things didn't go as Verlander had hoped, at least he and teammate <span>Prince Fielder</span> had some fun while they were out on the field together. According to Jason Beck, Verlander wasn't sweating the poor outing or the loss.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Verlander: "They like the see the 100 mph fastball. I gave them that." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Tigers">#Tigers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523ASG">#ASG</a></p>
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) <a href="https://twitter.com/beckjason/status/222877909516419072" data-datetime="2012-07-11T02:20:09+00:00">July 11, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Verlander: "I threw a pitch 100, [Beltran] fouled it off and Prince at first goes, 'Ver! 101!' I said, 'Ok!'" <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Tigers">#Tigers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523ASG">#ASG</a></p>
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) <a href="https://twitter.com/beckjason/status/222882913216245762" data-datetime="2012-07-11T02:40:02+00:00">July 11, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Verlander usually starts out games in the low 90s but wanted to impress in his short outing by hitting triple-digits on the radar gun. He also skipped his normal, focused pre-game routine because of the casual nature of the game and the pre-game festivities.</p>
<p>Fielder ended the game going 0-for-2 at the plate with a pair of deep fly balls for outs. Third baseman <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> was 0-for-1 on the night.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out</i><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/"><i> </i><i>Bless You Boys</i></a><i>. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at</i><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><i> </i><i>Baseball Nation</i></a><i>, or watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:</i></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2012/7/10/3150642/mlb-all-star-game-2012-nl-wins-8-0-justing-verlander-fielder-detroit-tigersTom Lewis2012-07-10T22:17:48-04:002012-07-10T22:17:48-04:00MLB All-Star Game 2012: Prince Fielder Finishes Night 0-2, NL Expands Big Lead
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H1nkJZEKgNB4flMOTtEjqeuhPPs=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828117/large_detroit.sbnation.com.minimal.66294.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The National League expanded its lead to 8-0 in the fourth inning after <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> center fielder <span>Melky Cabrera</span> hit a two-run homer off of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> left-hander <span>Matt Harrison</span>. The NL remains in control through six innings.</p>
<p>Homer Run Derby champ and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> first baseman <span>Prince Fielder</span> is done for the night. The American League starting first baseman gave way to <span>Paul Konerko</span> in the fifth inning after going 0-2 at the plate. Fielder did generate some buzz with his home run swing producing a pair of warning track outs to center and left field.</p>
<p>Tigers third baseman <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> relieved <span>Adrian Beltre</span> for the American League and had to face knuckleballer <span>R.A. Dickey</span> in his first at bat in the sixth inning. With two on and one out, Cabrera hit a tailor-made double-play ball to shortstop.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out</i><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/"><i> </i><i>Bless You Boys</i></a><i>. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at</i><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><i> </i><i>Baseball Nation</i></a><i>, or watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:</i></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2012/7/10/3150575/mlb-all-star-game-2012-prince-fielder-finishes-night-0-2-nl-expandsTom Lewis2012-07-10T20:58:00-04:002012-07-10T20:58:00-04:00MLB All-Star Game 2012: Tigers' Justin Verlander Knocked Around In 1st Inning
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H1nkJZEKgNB4flMOTtEjqeuhPPs=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828117/large_detroit.sbnation.com.minimal.66294.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> ace <span>Justin Verlander</span> faltered in the first inning his first All-Star Game start for the American League. After striking out Carols Gonzalez to start the game, the National League rallied to score five runs on four hits.</p>
<p>Verlander made it out of the inning but did not return for the second inning as expected. After Ryan Braun doubled to score <span>Melky Cabrera</span> and his day-glow orange shoes, Verlander looked like he might work his way out of a big inning, as he struck out <span>Joey Votto</span>. But a pair of walks to <span>Carlos Beltran</span> and <span>Buster Posey</span> loaded the bases and then <span>Pablo Sandoval</span> cleared them off with a triple. <span>Dan Uggla</span> then singled home Sandoval to complete the scoring before Verlander forced <span>Rafael Furcal</span> to ground into a fielder's choice.</p>
<p>According to Jayson Stark, Verlander's start was historically bad, as he was just the second starting pitcher to give up at least five run in the first inning.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Last starter to give up 5+ R in the 1st inning of an ASG: <span>Roger Clemens</span> in 2004. And who else? Uh, nobody -- till now.</p>
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/222852715871608832" data-datetime="2012-07-11T00:40:02+00:00">July 11, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p><i>For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out</i><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/"><i> </i><i>Bless You Boys</i></a><i>. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at</i><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><i> </i><i>Baseball Nation</i></a><i>, or watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:</i></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2012/7/10/3150417/mlb-all-star-game-2012-tigers-verlander-knocked-around-in-first-inningTom Lewis2012-07-10T11:28:53-04:002012-07-10T11:28:53-04:00MLB All-Star Game 2012: Justin Verlander Makes Appearance On David Letterman's 'Top 10'
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H1nkJZEKgNB4flMOTtEjqeuhPPs=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828117/large_detroit.sbnation.com.minimal.66294.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> pitcher <span>Justin Verlander</span>, who will start in Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game, made a cameo on David Letterman Monday.</p>
<p>For his nightly "Top 10" list, Letterman had 10 different players make a quip. Verlander relayed the first of evening's "Top 10 facts about the All-Star Game":</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This year, they've added an extra base.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The rest of the Top 10 -- <a href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/07/detroit_tigers_justin_verlande_47.html" target="_blank">transcribed by MLive.com</a>, which also has a video of the skit -- included:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>9. Catcher may be replaced by a designated squatter (<span>Joe Mauer</span>)</p>
<p>8. After the Home Run Derby, there's now a Weak Grounder to Third Derby (<span>Chris Sale</span>)</p>
<p>7. During the 1937 All-Star Game, Dizzy Dean's the first player to to yell "Go sit in the truck!" (<span>Jered Weaver</span>)</p>
<p>6. All-Star etiquette requires players to spit discreetly into a handkerchief (<span>David Price</span>)</p>
<p>5. The game's tomorrow and I still don't know what the All-Star ambassador does (George Brett)</p>
<p>4. Players need notes from two different doctors to get out of doing lame top ten lists (<span>Adam Jones</span>)</p>
<p>3. This year's game is cup-optional (<span>Josh Hamilton</span>)</p>
<p>2. Earlier today, we all bonded at a matinee of "Magic Mike" (<span>C.J. Wilson</span>)</p>
<p>1. Oh crap, the game's tomorrow?! (<span>Derek Jeter</span>)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Coverage of the All-Star Game, which will be held at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, will begin at 7:30 Eastern. The event will be televised on Fox and streamed online at MLB.com.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out</i><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/"><i> </i><i>Bless You Boys</i></a><i>. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at</i><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><i> </i><i>Baseball Nation</i></a><i>, or watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:</i></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2012/7/10/3149141/2012-mlb-all-star-game-justin-verlander-david-lettermanDavid Vranicar2012-07-10T08:36:59-04:002012-07-10T08:36:59-04:002012 MLB All-Star Game: Lineup, TV Schedule, Streaming And More
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H1nkJZEKgNB4flMOTtEjqeuhPPs=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828117/large_detroit.sbnation.com.minimal.66294.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The 2012 MLB All-Star Game will be broadcast live from Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium Tuesday night.</p>
<p>The game will be televised on Fox. A radio broadcast will be on ESPN Radio. Coverage at each platform begins at 7:30 PM Eastern.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> will be well-represented, with <span>Justin Verlander</span>, <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> and Home Run Debry winner <span>Prince Fielder</span> all on hand. Verlander and Fielder are each scheduled to start for the American League.</p>
<p>The host <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> have just one player, <span>Billy Butler</span>, in the All-Star Game. Butler was left out of the Home Run Derby by <span>Robinson Cano</span>, so expect the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> second basemen to receive a <a target="_blank" href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Robinson-Cano-Home-Run-Derby-Kansas-City-Royals-fans-070912">chilly reception</a> from Royals fans in attendance.</p>
<p>Complete lineups are <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120709&content_id=34767768&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb" target="_blank">available here</a>.</p>
<p>The AL has won 12 of the last 15 All-Star games, although the NL has won the last two.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out</i><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/"><i> </i><i>Bless You Boys</i></a><i>. You can also head over to SB Nation's main MLB hub at</i><a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"><i> </i><i>Baseball Nation</i></a><i>, or watch SB Nation's YouTube channel:</i></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2012/7/10/3148760/mlb-all-star-game-2012-lineup-tv-coverage-watch-online-detroit-tigersDavid Vranicar