Chatting in the outfield a month ago during batting practice, former Pittsburgh teammates Esteban Loaiza and Jason Schmidt joked about facing each other in the All-Star game.
"Not really thinking that it would happen," Schmidt said.
"But here we are," he said Monday. "Pretty neat."
Loaiza's presence at the midsummer classic is even more remarkable, considering he went to spring training with the Chicago White Sox as a non-roster invitee and had to pitch his way onto the team.
Now he's an 11-game winner who will start for the American League today, pitching in his home ball park at US Cellular Field.
Schmidt, who helped the San Francisco Giants reach the World Series a year ago, got the NL's starting nod from his former manager Dusty Baker.
It's a reward for the way he's pitched and a thank you from Baker, now with the Chicago Cubs, for getting him to the All-Star game.
"Without Jason Schmidt, I probably wouldn't be sitting here now as the National League manager," Baker said.
Schmidt's grit and his courage in the face of personal tragedy were also factors. His mother died in April from a malignant brain tumor that had been diagnosed in spring training 2002.
In his first game back after her death, Schmidt pitched a shutout against the Cubs.
"We would not have beaten Jason Schmidt under any circumstances because he was pitching with a higher intensity and a higher power than I had ever seen before," Baker said. "I was very impressed. I've never been through it before. I might be calling him some day for tips on how to handle a death in the family."
Baker was rebounding from surgery for prostate cancer in spring 2002 when Schmidt told him his mother was ill, setting off a discussion that left the pitcher and manager closer than ever.
"Just him experiencing it in a physical way on his own helped me with what I was going to go through," said Schmidt, whose personal pain has been soothed by being on the mound.
"Just coming to the park has been my therapy through the whole thing," he added.
"Today before we walked in, we said `Hi' to each other and said, `How do you think Pittsburgh is feeling right now? We were there and now we're starting the All-Star game," Loaiza said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely