ASG

Ahh...it's that time of the year again! A perennial favourite...the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is coming to Yankee Stadium one last time! Stars will gather for the 79th time in the House that Ruth Built.

I was lucky enough last week to have visited Yankee Stadium, but not lucky enough to snag stadium tour tickets before they were sold out. But even walking around the famous and storied building, it was a breathtaking feeling. Though the New York streets were not the cleanest by any means, Yankee Stadium still stood dignified as it had done for the past 85 years.

Before the Stars align themselves in the Bronx, The Home Run Derby is just sleep away. After some short painless research, I found the 8 men who will be hacking away tomorrow night:

• Lance Berkman (HOU)
• Ryan Braun (MIL)
• Josh Hamilton (TEX)
• Grady Sizemore (CLE)
• Justin Morneau (MIN)
• Evan Longoria (TB)
• Dan Uggla (FLA)
• Chase Utley (PHI)

I'd love to see our Canadian boy Justin Morneau capture the trophy, but all 8 of these men have tremendous talent and are not only awesome players, but fine gentlemen as well. So instead of picking a prospective winner, I'll just sit back and admire the big flies!

As for the actually Battle of the Leagues itself, I will be on the American League bandwagon again. They've prevailed 10 of the last 11 times (that 1 was a tie) and it doesn't look like this year will be the streak halter. And heck, if Roy Halladay starts for the AL, this game will be an incredible one to watch!

It was 7 years ago today that Beijing was awarded the Games of the 29th Olympiad. And it will be 26 days from now that the Games get underway with a grand Opening Ceremony. Personally, I love watching the Olympics but you gotta wonder whether the Olympic spirit is actually living on...you know, with all the politics and steroids and commercials...look for my insight on this topic in the coming week!

-D