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Shanoff’s Wake-Up Call: All-Stars, Favre, More

Jul 11, 2008, 12:20 PM UTC

Today’s Calls: Corey Hart vs. Evan Longoria, Ryan Howard vs. Hanley Ramirez, Matt Jones vs. Foot Locker, Michael Beasley vs. Russell Westbrook, Tim Tebow vs. Thailand and More.â†µâ†µThe Opening Pitch: MLB’s “Final Vote” results were stirring, for two reasons:â†µ

â†µâ†µ(1) “New York” does not, in and of itself, matter to fans -- contrary to media conventional wisdom. How refreshing.â†µ

â†µâ†µTo win the NL spot, Milwaukee’s Corey Hart defied what I could have sworn was a lock for New York hometown hero David Wright.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(The best part was when Hart’s teammates rushed in on his vote-winning press conference to give him a beer shower -- not realizing, or caring, he had his toddler daughter on his lap.)â†µ

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â†µThe Mets totally blew the p.r. game: Energizing fans with clever promotions is entirely how these Final Votes are won.â†µ

â†µ(2) Fans should be trusted with the voting power to make big decisions on behalf of the game.â†µ

â†µâ†µThis is the “Evan Longoria Factor”: Did Jermaine Dye have better stats? Yeah -- that, and the White Sox marketing staff doubles as a political campaigning machine worthy of the town they work in.â†µ

â†µâ†µBut fans recognized that the Rays are THE story of the season in baseball; the “face” of their franchise (not to mention MLB’s top rookie this season) deserved a spot this season.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe biggest lesson: Populism works in sports, particularly with the new tools available online. Now, about that Baseball Hall of Fame selection process. ...â†µ

â†µâ†µRyan Howard’s surge: For 1st-half MLB U-turns, it is hard to top Howard, whose awful spring start yielded a summer rebound, including yesterday’s 2 HR, giving him a league-leading 27 in 2008.â†µ

â†µâ†µMore MLB Instant History: Here come the Mets, who have won 6 straight, are 4 games over .500 and just 1.5 GB in the NL East. ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ*All-Star: Is Matt Holliday the most deserving choice as an NL starting OF for Soriano? If his manager is in charge, yes. ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ*Reds smash: If your team hits 7 HR, you had better win. ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ*Hanley Ramirez cannot be stopped (career-high 5 H, 1 HR in FLA win over LAD). ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ*Indians snap 10G L streak, with a win over the Rays (who they have beaten in CLE 10 straight times). ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ*Maybe the D’backs need relief pitching, not Bonds: Lost 2R lead in 9th and 3R lead in 10th before finishing off the Nats in 11. ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ*Insult, injury in Seattle: Richie Sexson cut, Erik Bedard sent to DL. ...â†µ

â†µâ†µ*Fantasy Studs: Dave Bush (8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 13 K); Howie Kendrick (3-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, BB)â†µ

â†µâ†µFavre Watch: I’m not quite sure why Favre’s brother calling his chances at return “50/50” and NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan calling it “80 percent” when I’ve been saying for weeks that it is a virtual lock. (Now, do I base that on anything except a career of Favre-watching from my couch? No. But with Favre that is more than enough.)â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL: “Foot Locker credit card” becomes the punchline of the summer. It is what Matt Jones was allegedly holding over a pile of coke when cops busted him and a few associates. Kicks, coke: Whatever.â†µ

â†µâ†µDilfer retiring, cont’d: To review: I would rather be the worst starting QB to ever win a Super Bowl than the best QB never to win one.â†µ

â†µâ†µJags not for sale? That’s what owner Wayne Weaver says, but you would be forgiven if you didn’t entirely believe him.â†µ

â†µâ†µNBA Summer League: Orlando ends today, and with it, Beasley Mania. Last night, Beasley had 19 (8/16 FG) in a Heat win over Oklahoma City, matched by OKC’s fellow rookie Russell Westbrook.â†µ

â†µâ†µToday, focus shifts to Vegas, where almost every other team is playing. The Top 5 most intriguing rookies: (1) Danilo Gallinari; (2) OJ Mayo; (3) Kevin Love; (4) Joe Alexander; (5) Anthony Randolph.â†µ

â†µâ†µBrandon Jennings Watch: I can only hope that Jennings’ decision ultimately gets the NBA’s age limit rescinded. At the very least, it is long overdue to embrace prep-to-pro players through the D-League.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: The greatest photo of the summer, presented without need for further comment.â†µ

â†µâ†µDan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com.â†µ

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