Sports

American League Earns Win At All-Star Game

Published

9 years ago

July 12, 2016

San Diego, CA – It took a pair of Royals to lead the American League to a 4-2 victory over the Natonal league. But it was only fitting that the team with the best record in the league, have their starting pitcher and catcher get the nod. Johnny Cueto and Buster Posey were among the starters for the MLB All-Star game. Cueto made an early ext after he got rocked by his former teammates.

Chris Sale of the American League gave up a solo home run to Kris Bryant to lead off the first. The National League 1-0 lead was short lived. In his first appearance, Cueto forced Jose Altuve to pop out, gave up a single to Mike Trout and forced Manny Machado to fly out. David Ortiz then lined out to end the inning.

“When you make mistakes like I did in the big leagues, that is what happens,” Cueto said through an interpreter. “If you leave your pitches up. You pay the price.”

By the second the AL went up 3-1. Kansas City Royals teammates Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez took Cueto deep twice. Hosmer hit a solo blast to left field to tie the game 1-1. Mookie Betts singled and Perez followed with a two-run shot to left field to extend AL lead. The game was fun for all but must’ve beeen a special moment for both Hosmer and Perez to homer off their former starting pitcher.

“I’m not trying to make excuses but sometimes you get up and you don’t feel well,” said Cueto. “This morning I got up and didn’t feel well. That is not an excuse. I wanted to go out there and pitch and do the best I could.”

Cueto’s been phenomenal in his first season with the Giants and is the first pitcher to start an All-Star game since Matt Cain in 2012 and the eighth overall. He leads the NL with a 13-1 record and a 2.47 ERA. Cueto’s brief appearance wasn’t the best memory for the All-Star game. But he’s still part of a team who has the best record in the Majors and has been known for winning a World Series during even years.

Hosmer became the first Royals player to be honored with the MVP since former NFL standout Bo Jackson in 1989. Hosmer homered off Cueto in the second and knocked in a RBI single in the third. He and his teammate Perez were the only players to lead the AL to victory. The win will give an American League club home-field advantage in the World Series.

“This whole week, this whole San Diego All-Star Game has been unbelievable,” Hosmer said. “It’s a dream come true, and it kind of felt like my first big league homer right there. It was special.”

The Giants other starter Buster Posey played in his fourth All-Star game and joined Walker Cooper as the only catchers in franchise history to start three All-Star games.
In his first at-bat he grounded out in the second. By the fourth, Posey got on base with a walk and scored in off Miami Marlins Marcell Ozone’s single making it a 4-2 game. First timer Brandon Belt pinched hit in the eighth and flew out to left field.

“It was pretty cool,” said Belt. “I was just trying to take it all in as much as I can, and it was awesome to get in there at the end and get an at-bat. It is something that I will never forget. I’m just glad I got in there.”

The Oakland A’s only representative this year was catcher Stephen Vogt. He made his second straight All-Star appearance. Vogt had six former teammates who made the roster this year, Yoenis Cespedes, Bartolo Colon, Jon Lester, Drew Pomeranz, Ben Zobrist and Josh Donaldson. Vogt didn’t play but enjoyed being recognized as an All-Star as well as being apart of the weekend of festivities.

“I was there, and I was ready but I wasn’t sure if I was going to pinch-hit or catch later,” Vogt said. “Obviously I would have liked to play, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. But I enjoyed myself, and I’m still an All-Star.”

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

A’s Stay Strong In 2nd Half With Win Over Astros

Don't Miss

A New HR Derby Winner, Stanton Steals The Show

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Alameda County

Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

1 week ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.