Live Chats

Derrick Goold Live at the All-Star Game

Join the Post-Dispatch baseball writer for a live chat from the 2012 All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

by Mike Smithon Jul 6, 2012 at 4:49 PM

Greetings from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, site of the 83rd All-Star Game. I'll be joining you here throughout the pre-game and game to answer questions, share news, offer insight (relatively speaking, of course), and exchange barbs, if necessary. I've been collecting some pictures from National League batting practice that I'll share here shortly. The All-Star Game is an unofficial holiday, the halfway point of the season, and the best of the pro sports exhibition games. It has its faults, but it remains the midsummer classic. Off we go.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 10:38:38 PM
Welcome mat.

by Derrick Goold via mobile 7/10/2012 10:39:36 PM
This would have been a cool picture of George Brett and David Freese, but some dude got in the way of the shot and declined to move ...

by Derrick Goold via mobile 7/10/2012 10:41:11 PM
Derek Jeter shakes hands with Mark McGwire as AL team leaves the field ...

by Derrick Goold via mobile 7/10/2012 10:46:20 PM
Excellent pre-game story from Hummel on La Russa being a "one and done" manager for the NL team: www.stltoday.com

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 10:47:11 PM
National League lineup for tonight's game, just in case you missed it:

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 10:48:39 PM
Carlos Gonzalez, DH ... Melky Cabrera, CF ... Ryan Braun, LF ... Joey Votto, 1B ... Carlos Beltran, RF ... Buster Posey, C ... Pablo Sandoval, 3B ... Dan Uggla, 2B ... Rafael Furcal, SS ... Starting pitcher: Matt Cain, RHP

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 10:49:41 PM
Talk of trading Shelby Miller reminds me of last years trade of Rasmus. Would the Cardinals trade their number one prospect two years in a row?

by san diego paul 7/10/2012 10:49:49 PM
@san diego paul It all depends on what they'll get in return. Also ... Does anybody really think that the Miller Experience has gone the way of the Rasmus Experience. Are you at that point with Miller? Seems to me that would be rather hasty. He hasn't thrown a pitch in the majors.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 10:50:28 PM
McGwire behind the cage. Kauffman's signature scoreboard rising in the distance.

by Derrick Goold via mobile 7/10/2012 10:51:43 PM
Two Birds by a cage during BP

by Derrick Goold via mobile 7/10/2012 10:53:14 PM
Derrick, that stadium is just beautiful, with the fountains going. Do you think the Royals will ever be competitive again?

by johnmichaelm 7/10/2012 10:54:58 PM
@johnmichaelm The stadium deserves it. It's a nice place. It appears to be overcome with advertisements because of the All-Star Game. But it's got a great look, you're right. Royals have some of the ingredients to be competitive. They have a division open to it. They need the pitching.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 10:55:50 PM
What do you think about the bases loaded, 2-out squeeze play?

by Titus McGee 7/10/2012 10:55:55 PM
@Titus McGee I am morally and ethically against it. But know this: They other team will never see it coming.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 10:56:21 PM
@Titus McGee Oh, and it helps if it's with two strikes as well. Very important, Mr. McGee.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 10:57:56 PM
You know the minor league talent better than anyone not on the Cardinal staff. Is there any future for Maness, Butler and Keikhefer, all of whom have very good numbers?

by CurtisGans 7/10/2012 10:58:43 PM
@CurtisGans Maness is a strike-thrower and has an intriguing assortment, but will it play at the next level up? That's always going to be the question with him -- that initial hesitance of if his stuff will succeed at the level above. I want to know more than the numbers about the closer Keikhefer, to be honest. Butler is intriguing. His approach will help him and he has the stuff to advance.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:01:29 PM
Looking at the Cards roster it seems the most expendable and desirable trade piece is M Carpenter. Do you see a Carpenter for Street deal as possible?

by AZ_Cards_Fan 7/10/2012 11:01:47 PM
@AZ_Cards_Fan I don't agree with that view of the roster or Carpenter. I'm not sure that the Padres would be looking for something off the major-league active roster in that deal. He does have one thing that San Diego absolutely must get: control.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:02:32 PM
It is a beautiful stadium. Happy for KC fans that maybe they will see playoff baseball in the not too distant future.

by AZ_Cards_Fan 7/10/2012 11:02:35 PM
Bud Selig felt bad for Robinson Cano, writes Rick Hummel: www.stltoday.com

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:03:58 PM
Live chat during All-Star Game is up and running, with pics. Bring questions. Bring comments. live.stltoday.com #stlcards #cardinals #asg

by Derrick Goold via twitter 7/10/2012 11:07:06 PM
I don't see trading Miller for a rental reliever in Street. Even with an option year he is "at par" so I don't see it. BTW, I didn't understand if you meant Carpenter isn't expendable or desirable. I feel he is a quality player simply blocked from in front and behind on this Cards team that other teams might covet in trade.

by AZ_Cards_Fan 7/10/2012 11:09:20 PM
@AZ_Cards_Fan I just don't see Carpenter as the "most expendable" player on the roster. I don't see him as blocked either. And nobody is talking about swapping Miller for Street, not that I've heard or seen.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:10:06 PM
Is Anthony Garcia a prospect to watch in QC?

by Bob 7/10/2012 11:10:08 PM
@Bob He's on the edge of that proverbial prospect radar. He's done good things.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:10:28 PM
Who is a more talented CF Tommy Pham (when healthy) or James Ramsey?

by Bob 7/10/2012 11:10:32 PM
@Bob That's a fine question. I don't know at this point. Ramsey should be the more polished player and the better offensive option at this point in his career. Pham had a strong defensive game. But to compare the two without seeing more of Ramsey in the pro game would be foolhardy, arrogant, or just plain wrong of me.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:11:24 PM
Here's @carlosbeltran15 on his tremendous start to 2012 and his team's first-half success on @MLBNetwork: atmlb.com #ASG

by St. Louis Cardinals via twitter 7/10/2012 11:18:14 PM
This will be the eighth All-Star Game held in the state of Missouri. Only California has held more (11). Not too shabby considering there are more teams in California these days. The Cardinals have hosted five All-Star Games. In 2009, the ASG returned to Mound City.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:18:21 PM
the one thing that the Padres would not want is a third baseman. Headley may be traded to make room for their best hitting prospect who leads AAA in hitting and hit over 400 in Arizona fall league.

by paul from San Diego 7/10/2012 11:18:31 PM
I'm sorry but why were the fans booing Cano? I missed it.

by Heath P. 7/10/2012 11:18:40 PM
@Heath P. I encourage you to read the story linked to below. It explains.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:18:52 PM
Is a starter biggest quest for Cards right now? Should be in my opinion. Could move current guys to BP to shore that up.

by Doug E. 7/10/2012 11:18:56 PM
@Doug E. Exactly. That's how they see it.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:19:06 PM
What is every Cards fan missing about Tyler Greene, that the front office/staff seems to see making him worthy of a roster spot? Why not bring up Adams bat or Chambers defense and speed?

by Tackleberry 7/10/2012 11:19:13 PM
@Tackleberry Well, for one thing Greene is out of options. So if you try to get him to the majors to make room for either of the batters you mention then you risk losing him to another team.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:19:42 PM
what is the news on pitching help?

by roger t 7/10/2012 11:19:48 PM
@roger t The Cardinals are out there looking for it.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:19:58 PM
Will the Cardinals ever pursue a more perminent solution at 2B, or must we all await the arrival of Wong?

by Tackleberry 7/10/2012 11:20:03 PM
@Tackleberry You must await the arrival of Wong. The Cardinals have not made second base a priority position when it comes to dollars for, what, almost a decade now? It's been a revolving door.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:20:37 PM
Great pic's! I pick the NL 5 - 4 tonight. About the Pads/Cards. First, Mo seems to make unlikely deals with teams no one is talking about. Wonder if he will really deal with the Pads or some other team? If with the Pads, is he looking for a narrow deal for one player or a broad deal for multiple players? I like Richard/Street and maybe a long shot sign of Fuentes as the old lefty. What do you think?

by Lee 7/10/2012 11:20:45 PM
@Lee Richard is intriguing. Heard more about Volquez though.

by Derrick Goold 7/10/2012 11:21:01 PM
I worry that the Cards will delay in reviewing Garcia's availability this summer and miss adding a 2nd starter for this season. Do you think they will be proactive and add 2 starters if that is what they need to do?

by Lee 7/10/2012 11:21:06 PM