I was reading Buster Olney's blog when I ran past this Paul Hagen article about the All-Star Game. He focuses on how it has hurt pitchers Aaron Cook and Brad Lidge. Hold on, Lidge warming up in the bullpen hasn't caused him to be terrible in the second half. First, you're working off a small sample size with 9.1 IP against 40 from the first half. Second, Lidge was ungodly in the first half with his 1.13 ERA. Isn't it logical to think that he is just having ... can I say it ... a rough patch. With Cook, fatigue in your lower back is caused by throwing 170+ innings when you really haven't done that before (212 in 2006, but no more than 160 otherwise with the other seasons more around 100). Second, his last start before the game was July 11, which gave him three day's rest to throw 3 innings. I think it was okay. Third, his next three starts were just fine as he gave up 5 runs in 22 IP.
This blaming the All-Star Game crap needs to stop. People get injured and have tough stretches of the season. Like Shyster said, correlation does not equal causation.
Also, you all (the media and fans) brought on the problems with the All-Star Game. You booed when Selig let the game end in a tie. You criticized him. You backed him into a wall. He knew that to get you to forgive him he had to try something. He made changes. Now, you have to live with them. Blame Selig for having a weak backbone against the criticism, but it was your fault for not understanding the situation. There was nothing he could do. He had to stop the game. Sure, we don't like ties, but he couldn't bring pitchers back out there. If he had, he could have injured guys then, and then you'd be having a field day. No, stop blaming the All-Star Game. Realize the totality of playing 162 games, of throwing 200+ innings.
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