MLB All-Star Game 2012: The National League Wasn't To Be Denied

The National League took control of the 2012 All-Star Game in Kansas City early on, scoring five runs in the first inning and winning 8-0 to take home it's largest margin of victory in the history of the event.

The NL pounded reigning American League Cy Young and MVP Justin Verlander, who looked less than average on Tuesday night against the senior circuit.

In the deciding first inning, Pablo Sandoval really got things going with a three-run triple. Surprisingly, that's the first time in All-Star game history that a triple has been smacked with the bases loaded.

Of course, one of the big story lines before the game was Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants getting the start over New York Mets star R.A. Dickey, but it turned out not to matter. Both pitched just fine for manager Tony La Russa, who to nobody's surprise goes out a winner again.

Melky Cabrera was named the Midsummer Classic MVP, and it was well deserved. Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in the win.

As for the locals, David Wright went 0-for-2 while New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano each were 1-for-2 with a single. Curtis Granderson was hitless in two at-bats.

For the third consecutive year the National League will have home-field advantage in the World Series come October.

For more on the 2012 All-Star Game, please be sure to check out our blogs Pinstripe Alley, Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: Robinson Cano Hurt By Family Taunts

Let's just say that Robinson Cano isn't a huge fan of Kansas City.

The New York Yankees second baseman says that he felt taunting his family during the 2012 Home Run Derby went overboard, according to the New York Post.

"I knew coming in I was going to get booed,’’ Cano said last night after picking up a single in two at-bats. "The only thing I didn’t like was the way they treated my family when they went to the restroom. Hopefully it will stop here and we can go forward.

"This is a game and we’re All-Stars. If I get booed I don’t really care, but to start with your family, that’s over the line. You don’t want to take this too far because when they do something to your family because it’s just a game. This is the kind of game you want to have fun in and you want to go home with good memories.’’

Cano is right on the money. All the man did was bypass Billy Butler of the hometown Kansas City Royals for the American League derby team.

Then again, these are the same people that booed Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel when he was introduced at Sunday's charity softball game in Kauffman Stadium.

Apparently these days there's a lot of hostility in the barbeque capital of the world.

For more on the Yankees and the All-Star game, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstripe Alley and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: R.A. Dickey And National League Roll, 8-0, Over American League

The National League won 8-0 over the American League during the 2012 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night. Justin Verlander started for the American League, but left after just one inning after giving up five earned runs on four hits and two walks.

The New York Mets put two members on the AL reserve squad, pitcher R.A. Dickey and third baseman David Wright. Dickey relieved Clayton Kershaw in the sixth inning, giving up a single to Mike Trout and striking out one. Trout stole second base during the next at-bat, marking a first for Dickey this season. Dickey gave up zero stolen bases before the All-Star break. Wright replaced Pablo Sandoval in the fourth inning but went 0-for-2 from the plate.

Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson of the New York Yankees all started for the AL. Down 5-0, Jeter led off the bottom of the first with an infield single. NL starter Matt Cain then retired three straight batters, including Cano, to end the inning. Cano hit a single in the bottom of the fourth, but was forced out at second base on a double-play during the next at-bat. Curtis Granderson went 0-for-2, flying out in the third and grounding out in the fifth.

Ynkees pitcher C Sabathia was named to the team, but is on the disabled list and could not participate.

Former Yankee Melky Cabrera won MVP honors after going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs on the night.

2012 MLB All Star Game: National League Wins (via sbnation)

MLB All-Star Game 2012: Lineup, TV Schedule, Streaming And More

The 2012 edition of the MLB All-Star Game will take place Tuesday, as the host American League squad will take on the National League for the 83rd time starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. The NL is looking for its third straight victory, which helps earn home-field advantage in the World Series for the league's champion, while the AL is looking to get back to its usual winning ways -- from '97-09, the AL never lost.

Taking the mound for the AL will be reigning Cy Young Award and MVP Award winner Justin Verlander (9-5, 2.58 ERA) of the Detroit Tigers. Verlander will oppose the San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain (9-3, 2.62 ERA), who earlier in the season pitched a perfect game.

For a look at the complete lineups and rosters, click here.

For more on the All-Star game, please be sure to check out our blogs Pinstripe Alley, Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Passing Over R.A. Dickey For NL All-Star Start Is A Mistake For Tony La Russa

2012 MLB Home Run Derby: Prince Fielder Wins 2nd Career Derby Title

Prince Fielder won the 2012 MLB Home Run Derby with 12 homers in the final round Thursday night. Fielder beat out Jose Bautista, who hit seven home runs in the final round for second place. Fielder also won the competition in 2009.

The New York Yankees' only representative, Robinson Cano, was eliminated in the first round after he hit zero home runs. Cano was considered one of the favorites to win, after taking the title in 2011.

Cano did a solid job picking his teammates as the captain of the American League squad, however. Bautista beat out Mark Trumbo in a swing-off to advance to the finals, meaning the Top 3 batters at the event were all from the AL. Bautista and Trumbo were tied at 13 home runs through two rounds.

For more on Cano and the Yankees, please be sure to check out Pinstripe Alley. Also take a look at SB Nation and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

2012 Home Run Derby: Robinson Cano Blanked, Eliminated In Round 1

Defending champion Robinson Cano has already been eliminated from the 2012 Home Run Derby in Kansas City. He hit zero home runs in his turn at-bat, finishing last among the eight competitors in front of an unfriendly crowd. The pro-Royals crowd, upset that hometown hero Billy Butler was passed over by Cano for the American League team, cheered as the New York Yankees second baseman popped up for his 10th out.

Cano was at least proven wise in his AL-team selections. The Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista is the current leader with 11 home runs. Mark Trumbo of the Los Angeles Angels and Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers hit seven and five home runs, respectively, to advance to the second round.

Carlos Beltran of the St. Louis Cardinals was the National League's only member to make the Top 4 in the first round, tying Trumbo with seven homers.

For a running commentary on all of the Derby's action, check out Jeff Sullivan's StoryStream at Baseball Nation.

For more on Cano and the Yankees, please be sure to check out Pinstripe Alley. Also take a look at SB Nation and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

R.A. Dickey Says Not Starting All-Star Game 'One Of My Bigger Disappointments'

R.A. Dickey tried to be professional about it, but the knuckleballing New York Mets ace could not hide his disappointment Monday after not being named the National League's starting pitcher in Tuesday night's All-Star Game. NL manager Tony La Russa chose San Francisco's Matt Cain instead.

"That might be one of my bigger disappointments, because I really felt like it would have been a neat thing for the Mets organization and the fan base," Dickey said of starting Tuesday's game. "Having shared so much of my story with them, I feel like that would have been a neat culmination or apex of that story.

"I'm not the boss. I don't necessarily have to agree with it, but I certainly have to respect it, and that's the way it is."

Dickey was, by most accounts and by the stats, the best pitcher in the National League the first half of the season. He is 12-1 with a 2.40 ERA, while Cain is 9-3, 2.62 and pitched a perfect game. La Russa said he was "very aware" of Dickey's accomplishments but still chose Cain. This the 37-year-old Dickey's first All-Star appearance. Cain, 27, will be in his third All-Star Game.

Derek Jeter Injury: Jeter Won't Skip All-Star Start Despite Shoulder Issue

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will not skip his start in Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game despite suffering muscle spasms in his right shoulder that caused him to drop a routine pop-up during Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox. [via Hardball Talk]

Jeter, legendary for hating to discuss injuries, said the spasms were "no big deal" and that they happen "all the time." The fact that he still managed three hits Sunday against Boston might indicate that the shoulder spasms really aren't a big deal.

In the Yankee Universe, though, injuries to the Yankee Captain are always a big deal. Jeter, 38, is having an excellent season to date, hitting .308, his best year thus far since 2009. Jeter also has 7 home runs, more than he hit all of last season.

Jeter skipped last year's All-Star Game, claiming exhaustion after reaching 3,000 hits. He now has 3,199, 14th on the all-time list.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: Matt Cain Will Start Instead Of R.A. Dickey

Matt Cain will get the start for the National League in Tuesday's All-Star Game instead of New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey, according to Baseball Nation. The choice was made by National League manager Tony La Russa.

Dickey is an incredible 12-1 with a 2.40 ERA on the campaign and has been the best pitcher in the National League. Cain (9-3, 2.62 ERA) has been absolutely terrific as well Of course, Cain threw a perfect game, but Dickey is currently the likely favorite in the NL Cy Young race. Dickey, 37, has already won more games this season than during any other season in his career.

Dickey and third baseman David Wright will represent the Mets in this year's game, which will be played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

For more on the All-Star game, please be sure to check out our blogs Pinstripe Alley, Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Home Run Derby 2012: Lineup, TV Schedule, Start Time And More

On Monday evening, the 2012 Home Run Derby will draw the attention of millions once again with the premier sluggers in the world going toe-to-toe.

Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers and defending champion Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees were chosen as captains for their respective leagues. From there, each of them got to pick three players to do battle with in Kansas City.

Cano has a stacked team with Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers, Mark Trumbo of the Los Angeles Angels, and Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays. That foursome will be looking to keep the American League with it's flag held high.

Kemp has chosen Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran and Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies in an effort to take the preverbal belt for the National League.

The rules are simple: each player gets 10 outs (any pitch swung at that isn't a home run). The top four totals will move on from the first round, then the top two combined totals will go into the finals, where the slate is wiped clean and the best round wins it all.

It should be a wild night at Kauffman Stadium with the players putting on quite a show.

TV: ESPN

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

For more on the Home Run Derby, please be sure to check out our blogs Pinstripe Alley and Amazin' Avenue. Also take a look at SB Nation and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

All-Star Futures Game 2012: United States 17, World 5

In a game that saw multiple lead changes, the United States Futures were able to seize control and defeat the World Futures 17-5 on Sunday evening at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

The U.S. team ended the competitive phase of the game in the bottom of the sixth when they scored nine runs. After trailing 4-0 after the first two and a half innings, the U.S. made it all square in the bottom half of the third.

From there, the U.S. dominated behind a strong showing from Nick Castellanos. The Detroit Tigers prospect had a dream afternoon going 3 for 4 with a 3-run home run, scoring three times and tallying three RBI.

Kansas City Royals farmhand Wil Myers also added three RBI while Jonathan Singleton had three hits and scored twice.

For the New York Mets, Zack Wheeler pitched two-thirds of an inning in relief without incident while third baseman Wilmer Flores went 0-for-2. The New York Yankees didn't have any active representation in the game.

Ariel Pena had a devastating outing pitching in relief. Pena pitched one-third of an inning and was hammered for eight earned runs, giving him an ERA of 216.00.

The All-Star contests will continue tomorrow with the Home Run Derby with the Midsummer Classic coming on Tuesday.

For more on the All-Star Game, please be sure to check out Pinstripe Alley, Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

2012 MLB Futures Game: Rosters, TV Schedule, Start Time And More

The 2012 MLB All-Star Weekend officially begins Sunday, as the MLB Futures Game (5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 or MLB.TV) will be played in Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium. The exhibition contest will showcase the MLB's top young talents, including New York Mets' prospect Wilmer Flores, who will start at third base and bat sixth for the World Team.

Flores will be playing against current and possible future Mets' teammate, pitcher Zach Wheeler who will not start but could pitch for Team USA. Both prospects are currently playing with the Binghamton Mets (Double-A).

Meanwhile, the lone representative for the New York Yankee will be outfielder Tyler Austin, who will not start for Team USA. Currently, Austin is playing in Single-A Tampa.

For a complete look at the Future's Game roster, click here.

Stick with this StoryStream for more on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. For all things Yankees, check out Pinstripe Alley. For Mets insight and analysis, head over to Amazin' Avenue. For previews, recaps and more from both teams, SB Nation New York has you covered.

MLB All-Star Weekend 2012: Complete Schedule For Home Run Derby, All-Star Game And More

The 2012 MLB All-Star Game takes place Tuesday, July 10, and both the New York Mets and New York Yankees are well represented. A complete schedule for the Home Run Derby, All-Star Game and other events is below.

The Yankees were the big winners with the 2012 MLB All-Star rosters, with CC Sabathia, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter all named to the American League squad. Cano is the captain of the American League's Home Run Derby team, and he named his teammates on Monday. On the National League side, the Mets will be represented by R.A. Dickey and David Wright.

The complete schedule of All-Star Game events is as follows:

Sunday July 8

SiriusXM Futures Game- 5 p.m. ET. on ESPN2

Monday July 9

State Farm Home Run Derby- 8 p.m. ET on ESPN

Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrities Softball Game- 11 p.m. ESPN (Tape Delay)

Tuesday July 10

All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet- 2 p.m. ET on MLB Network

83rd MLB All Star Game- 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX

Stick with this StoryStream for more on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. For all things Yankees, check out Pinstripe Alley. For Mets insight and analysis, head over to Amazin' Avenue. For previews, recaps and more from both teams, SB Nation New York has you covered.

MLB All-Star Game 2012, Home Run Derby: Robinson Cano Picks Prince Fielder, Mark Trumbo, Jose Bautista For AL

The New York Yankees American League All-Star captain Robinson Cano will represent New York in the 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby during MLB All-Star game festivities.

Cano selected the other American League batters on Monday. He will join the Tigers' Prince Fielder, Angels' Mark Trumbo and Blue Jays' Jose Bautista (via MLB). Bautista leads MLB with 26 homers, Trumbo has 20, Fielder has 12 and Cano himself has 20 home runs.

The National League hitters were announced on Sunday: Matt Kemp, Giancarlo Stanton, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Gonzalez.

The Home Run Derby from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City can be seen on ESPN on July 9 at 8 p.m. ET.

For more on the All-Star Game, please be sure to check out our Yankees and Mets blogs Pinstripe Alley and Amazin' Avenue respectively. Also keep it here on SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

MLB All-Star Game Voting Results: Mets, Yankees Get Six Players

With the 2012 MLB All-Star rosters announced, it goes without saying that the conversations will start about who should and shouldn't be on the teams.

In New York, the teams are both pretty well represented. The New York Yankees have four members of the American League squad with CC Sabathia, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter all getting the nod.

As for the New York Mets, they'll have two men going in R.A. Dickey and David Wright.

However, when you look at things from a national picture it's easy to see some very deserving canadates were left off the teams, as evidenced by Pinstripe Alley.

Somehow Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds didn't make the team, despite nine wins and a sterling 2.26 ERA. How about Josh Reddick in the junior circuit? He's hurt by playing on a team nobody remembers in the Oakland A's, but his season has been superb with 18 home runs and 39 RBI to his credit.

Every year the Midsummer Classic is star-studded and this year is no different, even if a few aren't making the trip to Kansas City.

For more on the All-Star Game, please be sure to check out our Yankees and Mets blogs Pinstripe Alley and Amazin' Avenue respectively. Also keep it here on SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

2012 MLB All-Star Roster: Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson Earn Starts For AL Lineup

The 2012 MLB All-Star Game rosters were announced on Sunday afternoon, and four New York Yankees -- Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson and CC Sabathia -- earned roster spots on the American League squad. Second basemen Cano, shortstop Jeter and outfielder Granderson will all be starters for the AL squad, while Sabathia will not play in the game due to an injury. The All-Star Game will be played on July 10 in Kansas City.

Overall, this will be Jeter's 13th All-Star Game appearance and his seventh straight. Meanwhile, Cano will be playing in his fourth and Granderson his third, while Sabathia was named to his sixth.

Surprisingly, for the third time in his career third basemen Alex Rodriguez did not make the All-Star Game roster.

For more on the Yankees, check out the SB Nation blog Pinstripe Alley. Meanwhile, SB Nation's Baseball Nation will have everything on the All-Star Game.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Roster: Mets' David Wright, R.A. Dickey Named As NL Reserves

The 2012 MLB All-Star Game rosters were announced Sunday, and New York Mets fans got possibly the biggest shock of the day, as third basemen David Wright failed to receive enough votes to earn a starting spot in Kansas City, July 10.

Wright, a mid-season MVP candidate, will backup starter Pablo Sadoval, who used a late push from San Francisco Giants fans to earn the nod. At the last ballot count, Wright had a 464,000 vote lead on Sadoval, but Mets fans failed to help Wright close it out in the end.

Wright, however, will play in his sixth All-Star Game, as he was named as a reserve for the National League squad. Wright will join teammate starting pitcher R.A. Dickey, who makes his first All-Star team.

For the full NL lineup, visit the MLB.com All-Star page.

For more on the Mets' make sure to visit the SB Nation blog Amazin' Avenue. Meanwhile, SB Nation's Baseball Nation will have complete coverage of the All-Star Game.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Voting: David Wright Still Leads In 3B National League Balloting

New York Mets third baseman David Wright now has a comfortable lead in National League 2012 MLB All-Star Game voting at his position. Wright has 2,687,818 votes after the latest update.

Here's how things look behind Wright:

Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 2,223,269
David Freese, Cardinals: 2,064,351
Chipper Jones, Braves: 1,958,447
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 1,236,757

Wright is leading the league in batting average .358. Wright's batting average has been aided by his current 15-game hitting streak, which is the longest current streak in MLB. With this latest voting update, it seems that Wright is almost certainly a lock to start for the NL.

Fans have until 11:59 p.m. on June 28 to cast their votes (up to 25 times) for the All-Star game, and can vote online or via mobile device.

All-Star squads will be announced on Sunday during the 2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show broadcast on TBS (1 p.m.). The All-Star game itself will be played on July 10 in Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium.

For more on the Mets, head over to Amazin' Avenue.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Voting: Robinson Cano Takes Lead, Joins Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson In Projected American League Starting Lineup

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano has overtaken the Texas Rangers' Ian Kinsler in 2012 All-Star Game voting, according to the latest results released by the MLB on Monday.

Cano was the only player to leapfrog a competitor in the order since the latest voting was released last week. If current voting stands, Cano would join two teammates, shortstop Derek Jeter and outfielder Curtis Granderson, in the American League's starting lineup in the All-Star game.

Cano leads Kinsler by nearly 97,000 votes. Jeter has a comfortable margin of more than 1.6 million votes over his closest competitor, Elvis Andrus of the Rangers. Granderson is currently in second place among A.L. outfielders, behind Josh Hamilton but more than 1 million votes ahead of the third-place Jose Bautista.

For the complete American League 2012 All-Star Game voting, visit MLB.com. Fans have until June 28 to cast their votes for the All-Star game, and can do so at MLB.com.

For more on the Yankees, head over to Pinstripe Alley. For more on the Mets, head over to Amazin' Avenue.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Voting: Derek Jeter 2nd In American League Balloting, Several Other New York Yankees In Mix

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is second among all players in the American League All-Star Voting released on Monday by the MLB.

Jeter (3,359,875 votes) is a distant second behind Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton (5,414,880 votes). Other Yankees in the mix at their positions include second baseman Robinson Cano and outfielder Curtis Granderson, both in second place at their respect positions. Granderson would thus be a starter in the AL outfield if current results hold.

Mark Teixeira is third in the voting for first basemen behind Prince Fielder of the Texas Rangers and Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox. Nick Swisher is seventh among outfielders.

For full 2012 MLB All-Star Game voting, visit MLB.com. Fans have until June 28 to cast their votes for the All-Star game, and can do so at MLB.com.

The Yankees (40-25) have leaped to the top of the American League East standings with nine straight wins after sweeping the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals in succession.

For more on the Yankees, head over to Pinstripe Alley. For more on the Mets, head over to Amazin' Avenue.

MLB All-Star Game Voting: Derek Jeter, David Wright Among Leaders

Derek Jeter is one of two Yankees who would start the All-Star game if voting ended today.