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The kind folks at Holiday Inn really want to make the four loyal readers of PH8 happy.
To that end, Holiday Inn – the Official Road Trip Partner of MLB – has provided us with a $75 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods *AND* some All-Star Game swag to give away to you, our loyal readers.
There are numerous ways we could choose to find new homes for these excellent prizes, but instead of the typical “who will win” or “how many home runs will Matt Holliday hit in the Home Run Derby” kind of questions, I thought we’d make you work for this one…
In the comments below, tell us what your favorite Cardinal All-Star moment is, and why it’s the best and should win you a prize. We’ll leave out Stan Musial’s game-winning home run from 1955, since MLB has already played that one up – what’s the next favorite of yours?
Winners will be chosen completely subjectively by Dennis, Josh and I – therefore, sorry fellas, we’re not eligible.
If there are more than one deserving story, we’ll ship the gift card to the one deemed the best and the AS swag to the runner-up. Sound okay to you?
Want more ways to win? Holiday Inn is also giving away baseball road trips during tonight’s Home Run Derby and tomorrow night’s game. You’ll receive a weekend getaway including two tickets to see the team/game of your choice! You can enter for this great prize two ways:
- During the Home Run Derby tonight, guess the distance of the longest home run during the Home Run Derby and text your guess to 88222
- During the All-Star Game on July 12, guess which team will get the most hits and text either “NL” or “AL” to 88222
It’s that easy to win! Thanks again to Holiday Inn, the Official Road Trip Sponsor of MLB, for hooking us up with these great prizes to give away!
{ 15 comments }
Interesting idea. Though I’ve watched a lot of All-Star games since 1989, a stand-out Cardinal moment doesn’t come to me.
I think, for me, it’s always been about the pride in being a Cardinal fan. Often it’s Ozzie or Pujols in the starting lineup, meaning the announcers can rave over these guys and talk about how great St. Louis is. Even when there isn’t a starter, just seeing the Cardinal red cap and the birds on the bat during introductions gives me a thrill of pride.
I know Ozzie’s made some good plays and Mac and Albert have represented well in the home run derby. I think about just two years ago, when St. Louis was the stage for a great game. Just being up in the area before the game was exciting.
The Cards aren’t always the ones making the big plays, but it’s always great to see them nonetheless.
My fave ASG memory? Getting to see the Home Run Derby in 09 at Busch. Hearing the fans chanting “Ozzie” and “Albert”. … Priceless
For me, it has to be when Ryan Franklin made it to the 2009 All-Star game… and actually got to pitch in it. I’m so used to seeing closers getting saved for the late innings in the ASG that they either get rushed or not used at all. To make sure he got a full inning of work, knowing this would likely be the only All-Star Game of his career, was awesome.
Despite Ryan’s troubles this season, no one can take away from him that he was a legit All-Star, though many have in fact tried to do just that.
I’d have to go with a moment from the ’09 ASG in St. Louis. It’s more of a “Busch Stadium” moment, as it didn’t involve any Cardinals. (read: contest DQ) But, I was fortunate enough to be in the LF bleachers for the game. The catch that Carl Crawford made was absolutely sick, and made for SUCH excitement! And although I was rooting for the NL to win, it was a great catch, and a moment I’ll not soon forget!
I would have to say last year seeing Waino pouring his heart out and pitching a solid inning to help the NL win their first game in 12 yrs. Albert also giving his all in the Derby in STL…typical ‘playing like a Cardinal’ moments.
I’m not sure if this is quite what you mean but I always like seeing new Cardinal players make their first ASG appearance. It’s great to see them get the national recognition for the great play we locally have usually been appreciating for a while already. Yadi’s first ASG was a great example of what I’m talking about.
In the midst of having a career year, Ryan Ludwick getting to play the All Star game in extra innings in New York is something that stood out for me as a fan.Even though the NL evidently lost the game, It sticks out for me because of Ludwick’s triumphant emergence to relevancy after several years in AAA then finally getting his chance to play in a 15 inning game with 2 spectacular plays in LF.
It was nice to see a guy who struggled with injuries for most of his career to get his chance and be recognized as an All Star on the national stage.
I would say my favorite Cardinal All-star moment would have to be when Mark McGwire absolutely went off in the 1999 Home Run Derby. Seeing him launch ball after ball over the Monster and hearing Chris Berman rattle off every Boston suburb as each homer landed was one of the most awesome feelings I have ever gotten to experience in my life.
Mine would have to be the 2002 All Star game. It was a few weeks after Darryl Kile passed away. Matt Morris was the only Cardinals representative that year, but he didn’t play. During the player introductions Matt flashed the camera his palms which read “DK 57” in honor of his fallen friend and teammate. I was still having trouble dealing with DK’s death at the time and it made me feel a little better to see Morris remember his buddy on a stage that is usually reserved for individual accomplishments. It is unfortunate that to most people the 2002 game is known more for the infamous All Star game that ended in a tie. The reason I love this moment is because it isn’t about an amazing catch or no-doubt home run. It was one friend honoring the memory of another and something anyone could relate to, baseball fan or not.
We’ll close this up this evening – get your stories in now to be eligible to win!
Thanks for reading everyone.
My favorite All Star moment was in 2009 seeing President Barack Obama throw out the first pitch in a packed Busch Stadium. I remember George Busch throwing out the first pitch in old Busch but it didnt have to same impact Obama had on me. I had seen Busch Stadium III built and watched the Cardinals clinch a World Series from the third deck in 2006. Some how I feel connected to Busch III and to see it on a national stage with such fan fare really made it special. I dont ever remember a President throwing out the first pitch at an ASG in my lifetime so to me it elevated the moment in Busch.
Was there ever a winner determined?
Yes, sorry – haven’t had much time in front of a computer to properly address this. Hoping to announce tomorrow and get delivery of prizes lined up. Sorry for delay, thanks for your patience.
Just posted the winners here:
http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2011/08/01/odds-ends-housekeeping-post/
Thanks for reading!
Dear St. Louis Cardinals,
You won the world series the year that my husband Skylar was born (82). You didn’t win again until the year our first child Stetson was born (06)…you obviously need our help in winning this year’s title too! We aren’t expecting YET but we are working on it and trying to hold up our end of the bargain so PLEASE hold up yours! YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Our little family of 3 are all HUGE cardinals fans and we root for them the best we can from UTAH!
GO CARDINALS!!!
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