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07/16/2008: "Damned Uggly"
We've all heard the speech about what an honor it is to be selected for the All-Star Game, and how it's not important to play but just to be there. But we all know that no one wants to be that guy who rides the pine for the entire game and never even steps on the field.
Two years ago, that was Dan Uggla. He was a rookie second baseman, a Rule 5 draft pick of the Marlins, and he was just thrilled to be there. Miguel Cabrera was the Big Fish at the time, and no one even noticed Uggla. That would apparently include the manager, since he never got in the game. But that was one of the first games run under the new concept of having the winning league get home field advantage in the World Series, and managers were a little more stingy with their rosters.
Now its 2008, and Uggla was once again at the ASG. This time, though, he was no throw-in - he's one of the best second basemen in the league. You just knew that he'd get a chance to play, and you just knew he'd make the most of it.
Right. Entering the game in the sixth inning, he got a lot of playing time as the game went extra innings. Wish I could say he made the most of it. At the plate, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Twice he had a chance to plate the winning run, but in one case he hit into a double-play, and in the other struck out on 3 pitches.
If you're feeling bad for the Uggster, don't worry - it only gets worse. The normally-sure handed second bagger set an All Star Game record with 4 errors. Now, this is a guy who only had 8 for the entire first half of the season. It was pretty ugly.
To his credit, he's being a stand-up guy and making no excuses.
''I'm fine. The only thing that [ticks] me off is we didn't win the game,'' Uggla said. ``I was never down. You shake it off.
``There was no reason it happened. I put my glove down and didn't make the play. It seems like when it rains it pours, and it was that way for me [Tuesday night].
''You don't try to justify it,'' he said. ``My reputation is what it is. One game isn't going to change it. I know what kind of player I am.''
I'm glad he's OK with it. Me, on the other hand - I was looking for a bag to put over my head ... 
