All-Star Break Happenings

Hello everyone, it's time for my one and only All–Star break update. I have to sandwich this between a Thursday–Sunday vacation I just took in which I had no Internet access and a flight to San Diego tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. So I'll do what I can in talking about my teams and their headlines.

• Jeff Francoeur got traded to the Mets? Seriously?
• Carlos Pena competed in last night's Home Run Derby, where he narrowly missed advancement to the second round. Albert Pujols would like to thank the fan who brought an out over the wall and turned it into a home run. Pena had a bad pitcher, Scott McNulty, who threw the ball outside 90% of the time. And he's an assistant baseball coach at my school. Maybe I should interview him about the experience. I'll leave out the “bad pitcher” part.
• Speaking of the Home Run Derby, I thought Nelson Cruz, who lost in the finals to Prince Fielder, was quite impressive. Looking at him, I can see that he's a good all–around player with an easy power swing. I would like to see him go on to big things. He has already shot up from “Four–A” journeyman to All–Star.
• Despite my approximately 3,300 votes for Pena, he did not win the Final Vote. I also voted against Shane Victorino because he's a Phillie, but he won anyway. I would like to thank Dustin Pedroia for opening up a spot for Pena, though I'm surprised Ian Kinsler isn't there. He should be, he deserves it.
• The Rays stand at 48–41, 3.5 games behind the Yankees and six games back of the Red Sox. They have started slowly making their move lately, though the last place Oakland A's have inexplicably given them a lot of trouble. At least here there was no long losing streak prior to the All–Star break. The Braves are 43–45, a half game ahead of the Mets, which is hilarious. I hope the Mets crash and burn for the rest of this season. And beyond.
• Jeff Francoeur got traded to the Mets? Seriously? He was sent packing for Ryan Church in Thursday night's trade, the first between the Braves and Mets in more than 15 years. Francoeur had been on the chopping block for several weeks as the Braves had run out of patience, but I never thought they could send him to the enemy. Church didn't think he would be a Brave either, but here he is. He's been the better player since last year, and his left–handed bat gives the Braves options between him and right–hander Matt Diaz. This may be a good deal.

I'll be watching the All–Star Game tonight as I pack for San Diego. I'll be staying for six nights at a little family reunion in Escondido. We should be seeing about 30 of our relatives, including a few that I haven't met. Hopefully we have some baseball fans in the house. News just broke that Evan Longoria, the first ever Rays starter in an All–Star Game, is out due to an infected ring finger. I hate that for him and the team. Good luck to the remaining Rays and Brave in the game tonight, and until I'm back, go Rays.