Bernie Mac has died from complications due to pneumonia at the age of 50.  That is shocking.  I was never a huge fan but he was pretty funny at times and was good in supporting roles.  I liked him in the Ocean's Eleven movies and Bad Santa and Friday.   Plus he  had the most perfectly quaffed afro I have ever seen.

RIP Bernie.  You will be missed....

Only need four four four four four more words.

It's either an exhibition or a real game.  It can't be both.  Pick one and go with it.  If they are intent of having it "count" then go with these changes.

#1 - No games until Friday after the AS Game.  Give all the players (especially pitchers) an extra day off. 

#2 - Have the starting pitcher go at least 4 innings unless he's ineffective.  With the extra day off the worst that will happen is that he won't be available to his own team until Saturday.

#3 - Have the second pitcher be a starting pitcher and have him go at least 3 innings unless he's ineffective.

#4 - Reduce the roster back down to 25 players and eliminate the "every team gets a spot" rule.  There is WAY too much substituting in the game to make sure everybody gets in.  If everyone has to play then make sure they get a juice box with a bendy straw after the game too.

#5 - Tell the relievers it's like a real game.....they may or may not be needed.  Then use them as if you would in a real game based on matchups. 

#6 - If a pitcher makes the team and he really shouldn't be pitching (Kazmir/Webb) then replace him on the roster with a guy who can pitch if needed.  He can still come to the game and go through pre-game festivities and such but he won't be on the official roster.

#7 - Eliminate the fan vote or at least minimize its effect.  The Pro Bowl is a terrible game but I think they have a good way to select the players.

#8 - No matter where the game is played there should always be a DH in the All Star Game.  A guy like Ben Sheets didn't make the team based on his .225OPS so he shouldn't be hitting.

#9 - Bud Selig is not allowed to attend.

I went to my first and probably only Roughriders game of the season last night.  Every time I go to a game at Dr. Pepper Ballpark I am amazed at how nice that place is for a AA stadium.  All of the patriotic stuff from a Irag War hero throwing out the first pitch to a modern day Andrews Sisters act singing the National Anthem was pretty cool.  The fireworks were good too even though they scared the bejeezus out of my 2 year old daughter.

The game itself was quite a rout with the Riders winning 8-1 behind 8+ strong innings from Michael Ballard.  He started the 9th with a 4-hit shutout (what's up TLT) but clearly looked gassed and gave up a couple more hits and a run before they took him out.  I have to admit that I had never heard of the guy until yesterday afternoon but he really looked impressive.   He doesn't have overwhelming stuff but he had good command and I could see him being a Rheinecker/Murray type that spends time in AAA and makes an occasional emergency start in the majors. 

I was impressed with Andrus more than anybody else.  He walked 3 times and had a single at the plate and made a couple of nice defensive plays.  The thing that struck me most about though him was his speed.  He scored from 1st on a double by Vallejo and he was really flying around the bases.  He's a good.  I also love the minifro that he is sporting...

And here is a picture of Andrus and Borbon before the game.

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You have to wonder if he would be chasing 700 if not for all of the injuries.  In his prime he was truly a pleasure to watch play the game....even though he was usually killing the Rangers in the process.   The complete package of speed, power, and defense.  With all due respect to Laird, Griffey is TRULY a 5 tool player.

As an aside, there was a runner on 1st when Griffey came up and the Marlins put the shift on.  The runner promptly stole 2nd and 3rd easily because of the shift not that it mattered as Griffey crushed a ball to right field.

Congrats to Junior.