New York Yankees is America’s Favorite Baseball Team for 8th Year
Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves Come in 2nd and 3rd
As we reach the mid-point of the baseball season, it’s time for the All-Star game and for reflections on the sport as a whole. So far in the 2010 Major League Baseball season, pitching has been the star performer, with some memorable perfect games, including the one that was, but wasn’t, and the debut of the Washington Nationals’ young phenom.
But, one thing remains the same when it comes to baseball. Among those who follow the sport, the New York Yankees again win the honor of “America’s Favorite“, as they have each year since 2003. In the second spot on the list are their long time arch-rivals, the Boston Red Sox, followed by the Atlanta Braves at number three; both of these teams’ positions are unchanged from last year.
Rounding out the top five are the Philadelphia Phillies at number four, rising from 7th place last year, and the Chicago Cubs, who may not win pennants, but do win a lot of hearts.
These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,227 adults surveyed online between June 14 and 21, 2010 by Harris Interactive. Read more
2010 MLB All-Star Week: SIRIUS XM Radio Comprehensive Broadcast Coverage
Play-by-play of the 81st All-Star Game will air July 13 on XM channel 175 Cal Ripken Jr., Billy Ripken and other SIRIUS XM Radio hosts to broadcast live from All-Star FanFest at Anaheim Convention Center XM to offer exclusive radio broadcast of XM All-Star Futures Game
SIRIUS XM Radio will offer baseball fans comprehensive coverage of 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Week in Anaheim, CA, July 9-13.
XM will broadcast the 81st All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 13 (8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT), and the State Farm Home Run Derby on Monday, July 12 (8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT), live from Angel Stadium on XM channel 175.
XM will also offer the exclusive radio broadcast of the XM All-Star Futures Game, featuring the top minor league prospects from the U.S. and abroad, on Sunday, July 11. Pre-game coverage starts at 5:30 pm ET/2:30 pm PT on XM channel 175. SIRIUS XM’s Mike Ferrin will be the play-by-play voice for the Futures Game broadcast and former Major League GM and daily SIRIUS XM host Jim Duquette will be the analyst. SIRIUS XM’s Grant Paulsen and Baseball America’s John Manuel will provide reports from on the field and in the dugouts. Read more
2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Now Available Exclusively on MLB.com
Online balloting for final player on each All-Star Team continues through July 8
American and National League All-Star Team managers Joe Girardi and Charlie Manuel, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, have announced the candidates for the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint to be held exclusively on MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, and the individual Club Web sites. This year’s ballots include six players on teams currently in first place in their respective divisions and four on teams contending for postseason berths over the season’s second half, setting the stage for spirited campaigning for each of the 10 candidates.
The five candidates for the final roster spot on the National League All-Star Team are: Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres; Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies; Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds; Billy Wagner of the Atlanta Braves; and Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals.
On the American League side, the five players on the ballot are: Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox; Nick Swisher of the New York Yankees; Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox; Delmon Young of the Minnesota Twins; and Michael Young of the Texas Rangers.
Fans began casting votes for the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint immediately following today’s Major League Baseball All-Star Selection Show presented by Taco Bell on TBS and can continue until balloting concludes at 4 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, July 8. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will be announced on MLB.com shortly thereafter.
Mobile voting is available exclusively on Sprint, Nextel and Boost capable mobile phones and fans can send the word “Vote” to 1122 to receive the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint ballot. Message and data rates may apply. In Canada, fans can text “Vote” to 88555. Standard text rates apply.
Originally introduced during this year’s online balloting for the elected starters, fans can campaign for their favorite player on the Final Vote ballot through MLB.com’s All-Star Campaign Manager program, tallying points by getting their friends, family and co-workers to vote through social networking, and competing to be recognized as an “official” Final Vote Campaign Manager for any player they helped support. Read more
Phillies to release Legends of the Fall
Compelling 2009 Season Relived in New Phillies Video Yearbook DVD
The Phillies have announced the release of Legends of the Fall: The 2009 Phillies Video Yearbook DVD. This compelling feature gives fans the chance to relive a season that was memorable in so many ways.
Legends of the Fall is narrated by Raul Ibanez, a player who found out first-hand the glory of playing in this era of Phillies baseball. Through his eyes fans are able to relive all the stellar performances….all the walk-off wins…and all the excitement of the post season.
“It’s the goal of every baseball player to go deep into the season, to be part of the last team standing, and to become one of the legends of the fall,” said Dan Stephenson, the film’s writer and producer. “This DVD captures the journey of a team that once again forged itself into the pages of Phillies history.”
At 70 minutes in length, this DVD also features more than two hours of bonus footage, including a special tribute to Harry Kalas.
Bonus Features:
– A Tribute to Harry Kalas
– The Harry Kalas Memorial Service – Citizens Bank Park, April 18, 2009
– The White House Visit
– “The Pen” – An Inside Look at the MLB Network Production
– Celebrate – The Pennant Winning Celebration, including on-field Ceremony
– Legendary Inning – The complete bottom of the ninth, Game Four NLCS
– A Quarter Century of Success – The 25th Anniversary of the ALS Association and The Phillies
– Great Plays of 2009
HOW TO PURCHASE
Legends of the Fall is now available for pre-sale at phillies.com and through the Official Phillies Merchandise Catalog at 1-877-GO-PHILS, for a suggested retail price of $17.99. The DVD will also be sold at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park as well as local Modell’s Sporting Goods Stores beginning Thursday, December 17.
Source: Philadelphia Phillies
Mark Teahen named 2009 Hutch Award winner
Major League Baseball’s Mark Teahen, longtime third baseman for the Kansas City Royals and recently acquired by the Chicago White Sox, will receive the 2009 Hutch Award®. The award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of baseball great Fred Hutchinson, both on and off the field.
The 28-year-old Redlands, Calif., native made his MLB debut with the Royals in April 2005, playing third and first bases and the outfield. He had been a unanimous first-team, All-West Coast Conference selection in 2002. Teahen, whose father is from Ontario, has dual Canadian-American citizenship and last March played on the Canadian men’s national team in the World Baseball Classic. On Nov. 5 he was traded to the White Sox.
“I am extremely excited to accept the Hutch Award, and I am humbled to be added to the prestigious list of former recipients,” Teahen said. “I am honored and am thankful for all of my friends and family who help me accomplish the many successes I’ve been fortunate to achieve.”
Teahen said the Hutch Award and its connection with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center mean even more to him because this year he witnessed his mother’s successful battle with breast cancer.
Off the field, Teahen has been active in the local community. For nearly the entirety of his tenure with the Royals, Teahen served as a key spokesman and fundraiser for the YMCA Challenger Baseball program, a division of Little League Baseball that gives children with physical or mental challenges the opportunity to play on specially designed baseball fields. In addition, he has donated time to the Royals AbilityCAMP, an interactive baseball camp for kids with disabilities, and he has supported other causes and foundations focusing on the well-being of children.
Teahen will visit children at the Hutchinson Center’s Hutch School and receive his award at the annual Hutch Award Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 at Safeco Field in Seattle. Legendary pitcher and 1989 Hutch Award winner Dave Dravecky will be the featured speaker at the luncheon, which raises funds for cancer research.
The Hutchinson Center was founded by Fred’s brother Bill, a prominent Seattle surgeon, after Fred died of cancer at age 45. The Hutch Award was established in 1965 and was first given to Mickey Mantle. Other Hutch Award winners have included 2008 recipient Jon Lester, Mike Sweeney, Mark Loretta, Craig Biggio, Jamie Moyer, Willie McCovey, Willie Stargell, Omar Vizquel, Sandy Koufax and Carl Yastrzemski. In all, 11 Hall-of-Famers have received the Hutch Award. For more information about the Hutch Award, including a full list of past recipients, visit www.fhcrc.org/hutchaward.
Source: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center