Lisa Blumenfeld - Getty Images
The National League finally FINALLY won the All-Star game, and it was in large part thanks to the Braves catcher. Brian McCann had the biggest hit for the National League in more than a decade.
With one out in the seventh inning and the bases loaded, McCann popped up a pitch to right field that barely made it into the stands for strike one. The next pitch from left-handed pitcher Matt Thornton was a 98 mph fastball that McCann turned on and laced down the right field line, clearing the bases and giving the National League their only runs on the night -- enough for a 3-to-1 win.
It was a huge hit for McCann. The three-run double was the first hit he's collected in five total All-Star at-bats spanning his five consecutive years as an All-Star. After the game he was named the MVP of the All-Star game for that clutch hit, which sent the NL to their first win since 1996. McCann was the first Braves player to win the All-Star game MVP since 1994 when Fred McGriff won the award.
Martin Prado started at second base, going 0-for-3, but he put every ball in play -- which is saying something with the kind of heat all those pitchers were throwing. Neither Omar Infante nor Tim Hudson got into the game.
0 recs | 120 comments
SO GOOD
cygnusxs - July 14, 2010
gotta love this guy
did mccarver even mention mccann’s hit…. all i heard was something about steinbrenner and a-rod
bigeasybrave - July 14, 2010
That was amazing! I love Brian McCann! Great job Brian. The interview with him was pretty awesome. MVP
MBL1 - July 14, 2010 via mobile
Ditto.
TheLetter2 - July 14, 2010
yeah
Great stuff. I’ve enjoyed Chris Rose more and more, especially ever since he joined MLB Network.
sag969 - July 14, 2010
MLBN>ESPN
I’m so thankful I added it this season.
HEYJUDE - July 14, 2010
McCann looked good. He just missed a home run in his first at bat too. Just got a little under it.
Sparhawk - July 14, 2010
MVP
The man, the myth, the legend coming through. Yadier who?
jfeld11 - July 14, 2010
Yup
Really sad that McCann always gets overlooked. Oh well, it worked out pretty nice for him coming off the bench this year.
sag969 - July 14, 2010
This
Looks like all the stars are aligning for the perfect storm.
Pavy848 - July 14, 2010
Cruel and unusual punishment (n.)-
1. Watching your catcher win the All-Star Game and then having to immediately report fir a graveyard shift instead of celebrating and drinking oneself silly with fellow fans.
2. Any of several punishments outlawed by the Constitution for the sentencing of criminal offenders.
J-Freak - July 14, 2010 via mobile
Love how Manuel admitted that McCann (in his words) “Kills us”. He killed the AL this time!
Joseph_C - July 14, 2010
Tomorrow we’ll go back to the political sniping, natural disasters, sectarian violence, pain, suffering and cruelty. But for tonight, thanks in part to a man from north Georgia and a man with orange shoes and terrible hair, all is right with the world.
TheLetter2 - July 14, 2010
Amen, sister...
Amen.
sddbaker - July 14, 2010
or brother...
as the case may be…
?
sddbaker - July 14, 2010
Amazing
That it was a Brave that basically won the ASG for the first time in 14years. And that his team is in first place at the break. Its a sign…Game 1 of WS will be at Turner Field!
asset - July 14, 2010
A sign indeed.
I’ve been saying for a good while now and this would seem to be an opportune time to say it once again. Our Braves are a …
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is simply meant to be.
fandave - July 14, 2010
This
HEYJUDE - July 14, 2010
Maybe...
if BMac had gotten more than three ABs in the past four years, the NL would have won before now.
GO HEAP!
BRAVES RULE.
sddbaker - July 14, 2010
+1
hopefully voters will remember this next year. Or, you know, look at numbers.
VivaLosBravos - July 14, 2010
+2
HEYJUDE - July 14, 2010
Huh, imagine that.
It’s almost like this McCann fellow is good enough to start or something.
DogDaysofSummer - July 14, 2010
We could use that home field advantage against the Yankees in the World Series. Nice job B-Mac!
abraves - July 14, 2010
Yankees are not nearly as strong in pitching as the media makes them out to be.
Especially in middle relief where the “great” joba the hutt reigns.
DogDaysofSummer - July 14, 2010
I hear this guy Matt Capps is available...
…and he seems to be good about getting out Red Sox and getting wins.
souldrummer - July 14, 2010
is that a pitch?
VivaLosBravos - July 14, 2010
that’s optimistic
VivaLosBravos - July 14, 2010
brian mccann
or a guy ops’ing under .600? hmmmm
BravesRaleigh - July 14, 2010
I didn't think Yunel made the AS team
VivaLosBravos - July 14, 2010
Zing!!
DolphinNation - July 14, 2010
Yunel is at .618
So he would have been a better choice than Molina by that measure (and any other one, really).
Jacob Peterson - July 14, 2010
Get it, Mac
Braves get homefield advantage.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - July 14, 2010
The Team Of Destiny!
The last time the NL won the All Star game, the Braves went to the World Series. The last catcher to win All Star MVP was Sandy Alomar, Jr. in 1997, who’s Indians went to the World Series. This is lining up oh-so-nicely…
ICan'tChop - July 14, 2010
Yes!
fandave - July 14, 2010
This win makes me happy!
TonyAlmeyda - July 14, 2010
Ren and Stimpy need a comeback!
Sparhawk - July 14, 2010
Meh.
justincredubil02 - July 14, 2010
I always found that cartoon fairly disturbing when I was young.
Pavy848 - July 14, 2010
Ahh...
Fond memories. Good times.
XBEARDX - July 15, 2010
LOL at one of the postgame questions from a reporter
It was something like “Was it hard to take out Yadier in the 5th so McCann can bat?” Who ever that was needs to get a new job because Brian is miles ahead of Molina as far as hitting. Not only that, but it’s a shame that the Cardinal’s catcher even got to start for the NL.
Bottomline, the NL team won.
SmithnCompany - July 14, 2010
I don't get it
Its not even close. Just to look at this year:
McCann: GP 76 · AVG .267 · HR 10 · RBI 37 · Runs 40 · SB 3
Molina: GP 79 · AVG .223 · HR 3 · RBI 33 · Runs 17 · SB 6
Molina is a better defensive catcher, but its not McCann is any slouch at that either.
Either way, if you want to have a catcher from the NL to build your team around, I would assume that all GMs would choose McCann. I know I’m biased, but come on the guy is hands down the best with the bat.
sag969 - July 14, 2010
let not forget
that McCann was basically in a slump until like June
drumzalicious - July 14, 2010
I think we can blame the eye problems for that
MBL1 - July 14, 2010
the fans vote. the system is Bud.....I mean flawed....
and, their are 50x more baseball fans in St Louis. It’s a “baseball town.”
Chief Noc-A-Homa - July 14, 2010
that bizjournal study last year showed that the Bravos are supposed to have a larger fanbase. Not sure how accurate that is.
VivaLosBravos - July 14, 2010
Larger in geography, though, too.
Many of the Braves’ fans are spread to all corners of the country, meaning that they don’t get out to Turner Field often. St. Louis, with its more compact fanbase, thus has an easier time with attendance and much more opportunity to stuff the ballot box.
Jacob Peterson - July 14, 2010
Atlanta is a bigger city than St. Louis, I think...
so there is no reason we can’t stuff the ballot box too. See the Hawks as well, Atlanta fan support is just generally bad except for football. Being a winner helps, cause losers get horrible attendance around here, but even that won’t guarantee good ticket sales. See the Hawks last season, or the Braves in numerous seasons from say 1999-2005. Atlanta just does not come out to support their teams, cause they all seem to routinely have very poor attendance marks.
Mr. Sanchez - July 14, 2010
Don't kid yourself
Cards fans are everywhere, although their outside region fanbase may skew a bit older than the Braves.
UMDBHIK - July 14, 2010
The only bad thing about this was that Brian had to pinch-hit.
justincredubil02 - July 14, 2010
But according to a postgame reporter
he basically insinuated that it would be a mistake to replace the “great” yadier with brian so early.
SmithnCompany - July 14, 2010
some postgame reporters are fools
Chief Noc-A-Homa - July 14, 2010
Great job BMac!!!
This just might be our year! Breaking news on ESPN… Brian’s grandfather once spent a day in New York City. That is why he was able to win the MVP award.
Frozen Fan - July 14, 2010
brian mccann was once scouted by the phillies, another reason he’s so great
BravesRaleigh - July 14, 2010
and even the Cubs!!! (gasp!)
Chief Noc-A-Homa - July 14, 2010
BMac is going to have alot more fans now!! He killed the post game interviews..
bwellnjonesco - July 14, 2010
Absolutley
He’s a really likeable guy and best of all honest.
sag969 - July 14, 2010
I was getting nervous.
I don’t remember the year, or the brave player. But the NL was set to win. A brave was probably going to be MVP, and Gagne(dodgers closer) blew the save. When Broxton (dodger closer) put their leadoff man on to start the 9th…. Deja vu… Not this year!
Frozen Fan - July 14, 2010
It was Andruw
Not only did Gagne lose Andruw the MVP, but Smoltz was set to come in and close the 9th (Gagne blew it in the bottom of the 8th I think). I also believe Wags pitched a perfect seventh. I remember all game FOX was talking about the “3 Headed Monster” of Wagner, Gagne, and Smoltz at the end of that bullpen, and the manager picked Smoltz to be the closer. Freakin’ Eric Gagne
foxrobe - July 14, 2010
2003
I was having flashbacks as Randy Hickey seemed to be about to blow the save.
I also loved that asshole Buck bemoaning that Manuel didn’t have another catcher available because he’d probably like to pinch hit for BMac. The echos of that hadn’t even finished reverberating when his ball went to the wall.
Sam Jethroe - July 14, 2010
In Buck’s defense, Heap was batting .000 in 5 years!
RAWR!
justincredubil02 - July 14, 2010
Best thing is
that the hit came of a lefty. Start of something for HEAP
Delaware Boiler - July 14, 2010
+1
VivaLosBravos - July 14, 2010
The last two times the NL has won
A Brave has had a big part (John Smoltz won the game in 1996)
Richie Grogan - July 14, 2010
In the 1994 NL win
another Brave Fred McGriff had a big game and was the MVP.
HEYJUDE - July 14, 2010
Heap comes through like a MVP
….now maybe everyone will wanna be Atlanta Brave like him
ronniemac03 - July 14, 2010
The reactions of Omar, JHey, and Ubaldo are money.
Hopefully the official has Mac receiving the MVP on their video feed manana. Good Good Time
Chief Noc-A-Homa - July 14, 2010
Oh my goodness...
I’m watching the replay of MLB Network’s post-game show and just saw BMac tell Ashley he loves her!
Take notes, guys.
Love. Love. Love. Brian McCann.
sddbaker - July 14, 2010
I'm guessing Ashley is his wife, correct?
eaheckman10 - July 14, 2010
Yup.
She had to stay home in ATL because she’s pregnant.
Jacob Peterson - July 14, 2010
Get 'em Little Mac!
Mr. Sanchez - July 14, 2010
He was so nice and respectful…a super representative for the Braves.
bwellnjonesco - July 14, 2010
Anyone have a link to the post game interview?
BravoChop! - July 14, 2010
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9915243
kp.atl - July 14, 2010
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9915243
kp.atl - July 14, 2010
Charlie Manuel is so dumb.
I’ll let you all digest that nugget.
Bronn - July 14, 2010
groundbreaking
BravesRaleigh - July 14, 2010
“Home teams play better at home.” As if the home team can play anywhere else?
Bronn - July 14, 2010
How soon we forget, Charlie got to manage the away team in Philadelphia a few weeks ago
BraveSaluki - July 14, 2010
a series in which, contrary to Manuel’s point, the Phillies won two of three.
VivaLosBravos - July 14, 2010
he probably thinks that Philadelphia will still win the NLCS
too bad for him they’re not going to even make the play-offs
southman - July 14, 2010
Boy, I am sure glad we had Omar Infante in there – you know, just in case we needed someone to play 5 different positions.
justincredubil02 - July 14, 2010
Hey now
This is a rain-free parade, buster. If you must harass, please direct your attention either to Kuo or the Yankees, as the good lord intended.
J-Freak - July 14, 2010 via mobile
It’s directed at Manuel – that is acceptable, no?
justincredubil02 - July 14, 2010
Criticism
of Manuel, the man, persona, and character is acceptable. Criticism of his decisions regarding 29/30 teams is acceptable. But just for tonight, let’s leave his decisions of the Braves complaint-free.
frozendesert - July 14, 2010
This is a rain-free parade, buster. If you must harass, please direct your attention
either to Kuoto the Yankees, as the good lord intended.Taiwan rules!
hawves - July 14, 2010
Aight.
Their manager is named after an STD.
frozendesert - July 14, 2010
I usually accept logic based arguements
but when someone accidentally (on-purpose, knowingly, or unknowingly) insults anything to do with Taiwan, all that goes out the window. In me, patriotism still lives.
PS: Sorry to sound like an ass.
hawves - July 14, 2010
I don't care if he's from the moon...
That assbag nearly cost the NL the game.
-C
cthabeerman - July 14, 2010
ya, Zimmerman’s lack of versatility would have cost us this one.
VivaLosBravos - July 14, 2010
Meh
You really needed to bring that up again, didn’t you?
So what happens if McCann only drives in 1 run, and we get to the 12th inning? Wouldn’t it be nice to have Infante then?
That was only, only way he was going to come into the game. I don’t see what’s wrong with that. Or would you rather have had Giradi managing? Get to the bottom of the 9th with Ortiz on first base, the catcher at the plate, and A-Rod still on the bench?
All this criticism of Manual/Infante is just stupid. The NL won, McCann was the hero, so enough already, please.
sag969 - July 14, 2010
+1,000
sddbaker - July 15, 2010
Why would they need Infante then? It was allowed that 1 player could re-enter the game.
justincredubil02 - July 16, 2010
Actually
A more acurate statement would be, “teams play worse on the road.” Bill James did some research on it
eaheckman10 - July 14, 2010
OMG NO WAYZ!!!!!
MBL1 - July 14, 2010
As much as I would have loved to see Omar single-handedly eat up every Huddy-induced ground ball in extra innings, I don’t think anybody (at least NL fans) can complain with how things went down. Now I wonder if Bobby will send Huddy out Thursday so he can skip Medlen’s spot when it comes around and get him some rest…
ICan'tChop - July 14, 2010
And just
why can’t you chop?
frozendesert - July 14, 2010
Ha!
fandave - July 14, 2010
Seems like this one might come back to bite you frozen.
Especially if he says “Im a paraplegic” or something of the sorts.
Foot → Mouth
ATL_BUC - July 14, 2010
I was
willing to take that chance. Mostly because, you know, he typed an pretty long online post.
frozendesert - July 14, 2010
Steven Hawking? lol
ATL_BUC - July 14, 2010
All Star Game MVP = best player in the league, right?
Just kidding
Kinda
gramsey712 - July 14, 2010
Checking morning newspapers, it’s heartening to see McCann’s picture on the front page of the Kansas City Star, Los Angeles Times, Riverside Press-Enterprise, Spanish-language daily La Opinion, San Francisco Chronicle, Portland Oregonian and Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Not a word on the front page of the AJC, though I suspect that has more to do with the ASG’s very late finish in the Eastern Time Zone than a deliberate dismissal of the story.
TheLetter2 - July 14, 2010
"...in large part due to B-Mac..."
In large part????
Getting the only NL RBIs seems to me to be more than a large part. GO FIVE TIME ALL-STAR BRIAN MCCANN!!!!
traphicg - July 14, 2010
Brian McCann: Superhero.
Single-handedly delivering the win for the beleaguered NL side. Righting the wrongs of millions of silly St. Louis fans. Making Charlie Manuel somehow seem intelligent. Charming all of America with humility and thoughtfulness.
Is there nothing the man can’t do?
I hope this is but the first of many MVP awards of various stripes for our beloved catcher.
Jacob Peterson - July 14, 2010
“Is there nothing the man can’t do?”
It seems he can’t get a start in an All-Star game.
adc62 - July 14, 2010
Hopefully, the fans will remember this and McCann will FINALLY get to start next year. START THE CAMPAIGN NOW
MBL1 - July 14, 2010
When do the polls open up?
justincredubil02 - July 14, 2010
If you play him
Wins will come.
I love some Heap.
10-4 - July 14, 2010
Just wonderful
Loves me some Heap. Way to go Brian!
WienerDog - July 14, 2010
dont know if anyone caught this but..
McCann claimed to be 8 in 1996. It’s a good thing he is better at hitting than math because that would make him 22
awix - July 14, 2010
Haha, Math Fail! yeah i caught that. funny stuff. McCann turned 12 in 96
MBL1 - July 14, 2010 via mobile
Mac
made me proud to wear my Braves scrubs to work today.
UMDBHIK - July 14, 2010
I wore my McCann jersey when going out today
to meet a friend for lunch. I had several people make positive comments about Heap. I am proud to be a Brave fan today and always, yeah, even when we lose:)
It’s an exciting time to be a Braves fan!
HEYJUDE - July 14, 2010
Yes indeed. What a nice post ASG/MVP award gesture on your part. :-)
NCChopper - July 14, 2010
did anyone notice along with the 6 braves(including wags) selected to the all star game there were 5 former braves or braves to be on the rosters. Nice to play the what if game sometimes even with the best record in th NL.
eroc87 - July 14, 2010
The whole time Wainwright was in
Throwing the ball to McCann, I kept thinking “I should have been seeing this every fifth night for the last four or five years…”
Sam Jethroe - July 14, 2010
I confess to a teary-eyed celebration of BMac last night.
It was so great to see his interview after the game and the MVP award.
He always represents the Braves so well and I was proud as punch to celebrate his great performance.
What a wonderful memory he’ll always have. I’m so happy for him.
I also noticed just about everyone they interviewed mentioned Brian and how great he was.
NCChopper - July 14, 2010
I admit that interview
pulled at my heart strings as well. Congrats on a great game Heap and also on becoming a daddy!
HEYJUDE - July 14, 2010
McCann is the man
My neighbors must think I’m crazy I was yelling so loud.
:o)
BravesFTW - July 14, 2010
I'm Sure...
it was well worth all of those crazy looks the next morning in your respective driveways.
XBEARDX - July 15, 2010
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