You da (final) man, Nomah!

Having just learned the news himself (he hadn't been following the voting), Garciaparra was all smiles. He's hardly a stranger to the festivities (6 and counting), but he still describes the game as a "fun time.... It's an event that's so big, so many people there." He also digs teaming up for a night with so many of the great players he battles all season. Whether or not that still includes D-Back players... kidding, kidding (I said it, not him). Needless to say, Grady Little and Ned Colletti were pleased. "It's very nice," beamed Little. "It's well deserved. The kid's put together a great first half of the season here." Colletti was even more succinct. "It's an honor to watch him play. To get to know him. And to see him accorded the honor he deserves." One of the reporters joked with the big winner about the successful "campaign" paying off. Nomar riffed a bit about having planned a skywriting presentation, but his long last name putting the kabbash on things. "The clouds would have been cleared by the time they got to the "P."

The idea of being recognized during his first year at a new position was especially gratifying and nothing Nomar takes for granted. While the success in no way surprises his Skip (for that matter, Little didn't bat an eye at Izzy's seamless transition to third), that doesn't mean Little isn't impressed. "I think that just peaks very highly of their level of talent. Each individual's level of talent. That's quite an undertaking, especially at the Major League level."

And in Gagne news... Zip, nada, goose egg. Nothing new to report. No better idea on what's bugging his back (or his elbow, or an ailing body part to be named later). It's mostly still a mystery. To everyone's knowledge, he's still in the hospital. Little spoke with him early this morning, and described the reliever as having "some concern in his voice." But then again, "he always does whenever something is wrong with him that keeps him from pitching." Colletti has also bought a first class ticket on the "Eric Gagne Concern Express." The only thing your G.M. knows for sure right now is that Gagne's "in a lot of pain. Everything else is up to mother nature and his healing power." Both are factors Colletti would love to see kicked into overdrive. Asked about trade deadline acquisitions, he noted that "getting Eric Gagne back would be pretty big. Not many teams would be able to have an Eric Gagne for their second half." All (semi) kidding aside on the subject, Colletti described much of the trade wind talk as "far more speculation than there is fact." If he had to guess, most of the impact players will be moved nearer to or on the 31st as opposed to right after the All-Star Game.

As one might imagine, big-time Pistons fan Derek Lowe wasn't thrilled with the idea of losing Ben Wallace. He was even less thrilled at the prospect of Nazr Mohammed picking up the slack. He joked that tonight's starting pitcher (and former NBA player) Mark Hendricksen would have been a better choice. Although given the thin NBA Free agent market, were I the lanky lefty, I'd be working on my jump shot and hitting the summer league.

FYI - Three blond triplets are singing the National Anthem right now. Now that's how you spread patriotism throughout the country.

Tonight's Lineup
Giants
Randy Winn - CF
Omar Vizquel - SS
Moises Alou - RF
Barry - LF
Ray Durham - 2B
Pedro Feliz - 3B
Lance Niekro - 1B
Eliezer Alfonzo - C
Matt Cain - P

Dodgers
Furcal - SS
Lofton - CF
All-Star - 1B
Drew - RF
Martinez - 2B (Kent and his illin' oblique were more or less a game time decision)
Ethier - LF
Izzy - 3B
Martin - C
Guy who should have received the Detroit Pistons mid-level- P

AK