All-Star notes: Dodgers' Martin finds the hotspots
SAN FRANCISCO – Three Los Angeles Dodgers, three very different All-Star itineraries. At least as far as off-the-field activities were concerned.
Their ages provide a clue to their whereabouts.
Catcher Russell Martin, 24, appeared at every A-list party in town. Pitcher Brad Penny, 29, went to one party, but also spent time with his parents, brother and girlfriend. Closer Takashi Saito, 37, spent the entire time with his wife and two children.
Martin, named as one of America's most eligible bachelors by Extra!, was at the Alyssa Milano-hosted party Sunday night at the Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center. On Monday night, Martin slipped into the Playboy party at the same location a few ticks after midnight.
Penny used to date Milano, but his party-hopping has slowed considerably since he began dating another actress, Eliza Dushku, late last year.
Saito, meanwhile, attracted more media attention than any National League player besides Barry Bonds. Nearly 200 Japanese reporters were credentialed, and they are covering AL All-Stars Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Okajima as well as Saito.
Trevor Hoffman sat in the NL dugout, catching a moment to himself while the hundreds of reporters and photographers on the field were preoccupied with batting practice.
"You never know if this will be your last one," he said. "And at my age and stage of my career, it's only natural to think about that."
The 39-year-old San Diego Padres closer holds the all-time record with 507 saves, including 25 this season, yet he couldn't help but reflect on his poor performance in last year's All-Star Game, when he gave up three consecutive hits and two runs with two out in the ninth. The AL won 3-2.
"It's tough to pitch against these guys, they are the best in the game," he said. "You might not even be in a save situation. You have to be ready at all times."
All-Star home plate umpire Bruce Froemming is in his 50th – and last – year as a professional arbiter. He's worked 5,095 regular-season major league games and this is his third All-Star Game.
"I'd say I've had a great run," he said. "You've got to step away some time and I thought the timing was right and MLB has gone the extra step to make it an easy transition."
A scout who is in San Francisco for the game was given a gift bag from MLB, which contained the usual trinkets along with an All-Star T-shirt. He held up the shirt and was surprised to see the name on the front: "Dodgers," with what was on the back: "SCHMIDT." Ned Colletti could only dream.
While agent Scott Boras has stumped for a best-of-nine World Series and has been promised a meeting with Commissioner Bud Selig on the subject, it doesn't appear he'll find a receptive audience.
"I'll agree with my friend Derek Jeter, who said, 'It's long enough now.' He's right," Selig said.
During pregame introductions, five players were booed: Penny, Saito and Martin of the Dodgers, and John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez of the Los Angeles Angels. Vladimir Guerrero, who won the Home Run Derby last night, was largely spared.
Lackey, of course, started and won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. And Rodriguez pitched the eighth inning of that game, striking out Rich Aurilia and Jeff Kent, walking Barry Bonds and striking out Benito Santiago.
