:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46754270/usa-today-8696955.0.jpg)
Well done, Cincinnati. From the success of the newfangled Dinger Derby to the quality of the All Star Game itself, the city and baseball fans did a tremendous job of of spotlighting just how deep the roots of baseball run in the tri-state area, and they did so with the eyes of the baseball world firmly on them. Props to the city, to Great American Ball Park, and to the Cincinnati Reds for putting on a heckuva show, one that any and all who witnessed will not soon forget.
Mark Sheldon recapped the multi-day baseball whirlwind the city experienced, and it's readily apparent that MLB was pleased with how things turned out. Buster Posey sounded surprised that he didn't get booed, Andrew McCutchen was impressed with the efforts of his division rival, and Mike Trout said "blast" nearly as many times as his bat did in Tuesday's game.
Speaking of the actual game - which saw Trout take home the MVP for already the second time in his young career - C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer compiled all the details. Noted in Trent's piece is the continued struggle with hitting experienced by Reds in the ASG, something that's been a near 30 year trend. Fortunately, they had Aroldis Chapman's exploits to hang their hat on, as the fireballing lefty breezed through an inning last night by striking out the side on just 14 pitches.
Pete Rose was there, of course. SI.com's Albert Chen weighed in on the topic.
From the mothership, Grant Brisbee did what he always does, which is wax eloquently about baseball in ways few others can. This time, he used the way the ASG is consumed as his topic.
Over at ESPN, Tim Kurkjian put the ASG in his rear-view mirror and looked ahead to the biggest storylines of the second half of the MLB season. Not surprisingly, Johnny Cueto's name features prominently, as it's evident that the Reds ace (for now) may be the single biggest trade target in the game. Can someone just please, please overpay for his services?
FanGraphs updated their playoff odds. Adios, Reds.
Finally, HardballTalk's Aaron Gleeman put together a list of relievers that should generate ample trade interest as the deadline nears. At the top of his list: Aroldis Chapman.