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Ali's All Star Blog

Tuesday, 2:30 p.m.: 

Red Carpet Parade

Home Run Derby Winner Prince Fielder

Albert Pujols in the Red Carpet Parade

Tuesday, 11:45 a.m.:

I am getting ready to head to the Busch Stadium.  Yesterday was a whirlwind.

The Home Run Derby was very enjoyable and the Cardinals fans love hometown favorite Albert Pujols. Pujols is having an incredible year. Everywhere I went yesterday he was the talk of the event, from media conferences, to fans, and even down on the baseball field. He is the story here in St. Louis. Although, last night I think fatigue just got the best of him. It's not easy to play a double header in Chicago against the Cubs then come back and have the hectic day that he had, but he still gave St. Louis fans quite the show. One lucky fan actually saved him and helped Pujols advance to the tie-breaker round. If it wasn't for a Cards fan making a catch over the center field wall, Pujols would have never advanced past the first round. The crowd was electric when he came up to home plate, everyone in the stadium was rooting for him.

Catcher Joe Mauer gave the fans quite the show as going two for two in his first two at bats to start things off, but he couldn't beat Pujols. The St. Louis fans gave a light cheer when Mauer didn't hit any out of park during the tie breaking round. However, regardless Jim O'Neil said, 'it was an event that I'll never forget. I was trying the best I could. I am just so happy to be here."

Last night following the concert there was a big All Star Gala for many people who attended the game. I attended the event for about an hour. St. Louis native Nelly performed and actually gave quite a show.

Today I am heading to the Red Carpet Parade, which starts at 2pm. Joe Mauer will have his two high school friends in the car with him and Justin Morneau will be accompanied by his wife, Krista. I am not sure if Joe Nathan's family is here or not, so I'll let you know later this evening who is riding with Nathan.

President Obama will be throwing the first pitch in tonight's game so I suspect security will be extremely tight getting in. St. Louis, first baseman Albert Pujols has been at the center of everything during this 80th annual All Star game will be catching the President's throw.

Monday, 6:30 p.m.:  Today has been quite hectic. I have attended numerous media
conferences.

I first attended the National League player availability conference
this morning. My first stop was with New York Met, David Wright, as
you may recall he had success in the Home Run Derby during his first
All Star game. Wright said, "The experience never gets old, and if I
wasn't here I would probably be at home relaxing and watching a lot of
TV."

I also asked Justin Morneau if he had given Joe Mauer any advice about
tonight's Home Run Derby Morneau said, "Joe just has to get in a
groove, if you get in a groove then you never know what can happen."

I caught up with the softspoken Mauer who said, "I feel honored to be
batting in between Howard and Pujols. This something I used to do
with my buddies when I was a kid and I'm actually here."

Mauer's took batting practice with his high school coach on Saturday.
When asked about his shy personality he said "I'm getting used to it.
Every year it seems to be gettin easier."

I also caught up with former Twin now Rays player, Jason Bartlett.
Bartlett said, "he it's nice to be able to see former teammates and
that he was looking forward to bringing his son Jayden down on the
field."

Morneau had mixed feelings about seeing Bartlett, "I'm so excited he's
here and that he's having success, but it would also be nice to have
him our clubhouse, we miss those guys."

Once again Mauer said, "I'm in it to win it.".

We'll see if he does.

Fans lined up before the doors open at the Homerun Derby

Derek Jeter Talks To The Media

Ali Lucia on the Field

Puhols Taking a Media Photo

Monday, 12:30 p.m.:  Media morning at the All-Star Game

Phillies 1st Baseman Ryan Howard

Mets 3rd Baseman David Wright

Johan Santana

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre

Sunday 6pm:

I just got back from a very busy Busch Stadium, even in the rain fans were out. However, I didn't run into very many out of town guests.  Most of the fans I spoke with were primarily Cardinals season ticket holders. Tickets to the Future All-Star Futures Game and Legends & Celebrity Softball Game were fifty dollars. Tickets are a hot commodity for tomorrow's Home Run Derby and the big game on Tuesday. For season tickets holders the tickets run at around $219, however I've been hearing some are going for no less than $400.

Today's rain wasn't stopping fans from waiting for the festivities to get going this afternoon. The rain is however making the heat much more bearable. Last time the Twins were here the last weekend in June they had a Saturday day game in the 98 degree weather. It's much more difficult to play in and for these All-Stars this game is about enjoying it, not being miserable. I have been at games here before where batting practice has been cancelled completely because of the heat. I am hopeful that won't be the case the next couple days.

Mauer, Morneau, and Nathan should be arriving shortly following their win this afternoon. Tomorrow should be a busy day for all three as there are several media conferences tomorrow morning.

Catcher Joe Mauer has asked his high school coach Jim O'neil to throw for him during the Home Run Derby. I know Jim and he's a great guy. He must be so thrilled to be apart of this big event. Jim has been a long time coach at Cretin-Derham Hall for decades in both hockey and baseball, winning state in both.  He has coached many great athletes. I'm sure this will rank right up there with memorable sporting moments for O'Neil.  Also in attendace watching will be Joe's two closest friends and former high school teammates, Tony Leseman and Larry Nava. Mauer played high school baseball and football with both. There will be a Cretin connection routing, throwing, and hitting tomorrow evening.

Mauer has the least amount of homers out of all seven participants, but I am guessing he'll make a good showing, as he is such a good competitor.

Friday, 3pm:

Making my way to St. Louis, that's what I'll be doing in less than 24 hours. I am so excited for this amazing opportunity to bring to all of you.  I'll be blogging for all four days while I am down there and bring you the latest information from who I interview, pictures from the stadium, and pictures from everything that makes this 80th Annual MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis so unique. As many of you already know the Twins will be represented by Catcher Joe Mauer, 1st Baseman Justin Morneau, and Closer Joe Nathan.

Mauer

Joe Mauer is a starter this year despite joining the club so late in the season. I spoke with Joe at the Dome before the Yankees game on Tuesday and he said, "I'll go as long they have me back." Judging by his close to .400 batting average and having thrust himself into the national spotlight, the Cretin Derham Alum is now already being called one of the greatest catchers to ever play the game. Mauer had more then 4.3 million votes so his name reaches much farther then his Minnesota roots. He also will be participating in the Home Run Derby, which he said is something he's really looking forward to. Since Morneau and Josh Hamilton will not be participating in this year's contest, that means a new winner will be crowned. Joe's family and friends will be making their way to St. Louis in van on Sunday to watch what is always a great family event for all of them.

Morneau

Justin Morneau will be making his third appearance at the All-Star game as well, but he told me it's an honor to be voted by the players. Morneau won't be participating in the Home Run Derby, instead he gets to watch his teammate and good friend, Mauer, take a swing at a win. Morneau says "It's still hard to let the bright lights of any All-Star game settle in especially when you have guys like New York Yankee Derek Jeter and Seattle Mariner Ichiro Suzuki in the clubhouse with you."

Nathan

Closer Joe Nathan is considered the veteran among the Twins players, this will be his fourth appearance. The last save Nathan has blown was back on May 15th, proving to continue to be one of the best closers in baseball. Nathan said he was glad that they already play at Busch Stadium already, because the heat can be quite exhausting and he said, "I know what to expect there."

Other Notes

Some former Twins will also be in attendance, Torii Hunter and Jason Bartlett will both be AL reserves, so I am anxious to give you their take on their experience of the whole event. It's too bad the Twins didn't have all those former players these days: David Ortiz, Johann Santana, Torii Hunter, Jason Bartlett, Matt Garza - imagine how good they would be? I spoke with former Twin Paul Molitor and he said he won't be going to the game this year. He said his schedule was too busy to make the game. He did go last year in New York. Also, Ron Coomer was invited by Oakley but he also declined to make the trip.

I'll be giving you lots of inside coverage, photos, updates, and interviews. See you all in St. Louis.