Ranger Rowdy Report: All-Star Edition

Once again, Rangers players were in the spotlight during the All-Star festivities. It's been common in recent years.

Michael Young was the game's MVP two years ago with his game-winning triple. Hank Blalock's home run won the game in 2003. Mark Teixeria and Alfonso Soriano homered in All-Star games wearing Texas uniforms.

This year, Hamilton basically stole the show in the Home Run Derby. He didn't just break the record for most shots in a single round with 28. Many of those were absolute bombs, as he was hitting them into the back rows of the bleachers. Too bad that couldn't get him the win in the derby, as all those homers didn't carry over into the finals, and Justin Morneau had enough to beat him 5-3 in that last round.

As for the game itself: Sadly, I wasn't ecstatic when Young drove in the game-winning run for the American League once again. Nor was I disappointed when he was passed over by J.D. Drew for the MVP. No, I was mostly relieved when his sacrifice fly brought in Morneau in the 15th inning, ending The Game That Wouldn't Die, the ultimate revenge against those who whined about the game ending in a tie six years ago.

Young and Kinsler did what they could to win the game earlier. The two combined on a double play to bail out the AL in the 10th inning. Young then led off that inning by getting on via the first of Dan Uggla's two errors. But he was the first of two runners forced out at the plate as the Americans loaded the bases with no outs and couldn't score. Kinsler got a hit in the 11th but was caught stealing.

All in all, a good showing for the Rangers' All-Stars, forcing the baseball world to look at them on their mid-season showcase - whether they like it or not.