DENVER (AP) – This is one lineup card Clint Hurdle didn’t have a hard time filling out.
Thanks to the Colorado Rockies’ spectacular September run to their first World Series last fall, Hurdle will manage the National League at the All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium next week.
“I’ve already made out a lineup,” Hurdle said Sunday. “That’s how much fun I’ve had with it. How can you not want to make out a lineup?”
Penciling in the likes of Lance Berkman, Chipper Jones and Hanley Ramirez is a big change for Hurdle, who has had to juggle his own lineup all season because of injuries and inconsistency.
On Sunday, Hurdle sent his 63rd different lineup onto the field to face Florida.
This All-Star duty is new to Hurdle, who said he’s enjoyed the process.
“The beauty of it, the fans got to vote eight, the players got to vote 16, at the end of the day, the challenges you have from this seat is you have to make sure there’s a representative from each team, and that was easy because there are All-Star caliber players on every team,” Hurdle said. “And the Internet thing is something I’ve had as much fun with as anything. Now it’s up to the cities. Pick our last player. Go get it.”
He said making out the lineup and choosing the reserves, including his own ace right-hander Aaron Cook, actually was a pressure-free process.
“There was no lobbying. I think managers have too much professional respect for one another,” Hurdle said. “I hope every manager has this opportunity just so he can embrace the challenges, the excitement, the names that goes with it. At the end of the day the last thing you need is outside interference from other managers lobbying for other players. You’re well aware of the skills sets of the players.”
Hurdle said the only thing making it tough was knowing so many deserving players would be left out: “There’s an All-Star team left on the table at the end of the day.”
Once again, the league that wins the All-Star game will get home-field advantage in the World Series.
“It’s not so much getting everyone in the game anymore. This is not a celebrity golf tournament anymore where everybody gets together, shakes hands and has lots of giggles,” Hurdle said.
The American League has gone 10-0-1 since losing in 1996 at Veterans Stadium.
“The history speaks for itself. We need to do better, and maybe we can parlay this into a trend that comes back our way a little bit because the American League has its way with the National League the last 10 seasons,” Hurdle said.
Of course, Hurdle might have to change his All-Star lineup if Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano, who has been out with a broken hand but was voted a starter, can’t return in time to play.
Hurdle said he spoke with Cubs manager Lou Piniella “and by Wednesday, we should have a good feel on whether he can play or not. He’s got to go out on a rehab and Lou would like him to play over the weekend. If not, then you get to reshuffle the deck and pick another outfielder.”
This is the last trip to Yankee Stadium, which is being replaced next year, for many of the participants.
“I am tremendously appreciative of our players giving me this opportunity,” Hurdle said. “Because the coaching staff and myself wouldn’t be going there if our team hadn’t played so very, very well last year. That’s the first thought in my mind, how fortunate we are to do this. It is truly, it’s going to be a celebration of baseball.”
Add A Comment