stars all around

Welcome to yet another sellout at AT&T Park! As many know, today the park was passing out Buster Posey bobbleheads to the first 25,000 fans to enter the park. And as many participated themselves, this means it's time to patiently wait in lines that wrap around the park and stretch out to the Bay Bridge. But this time the line was multiplied - after all, Buster Posey is the all-American breakout star of last year who can catch, bat, and throw like a machine. He has the fairytale story of rapidly climbing up the ranks of Minor League Baseball, winning the World Series with his first team, and on top of that winning the Rookie of the Year Award. He is a star "discovered" on the team of our city and he's not at all flashy about this prowess at the plate. He is a hero on the recovery. And it doesn't hurt that he drinks from the fountain of youth with an equally cute wifey to match - who is preggers with twins! So yes, we expected this line to be visible from Coit Tower.

We got to the end of a line around 2:40 PM and ended up waiting somewhere between the Bay Bridge...

... and Pier 28.

And this was one hell of a line! Even after we started moving, the line didn't shrink! Usually the line doesn't grow as fast as it moves!

the suckers behind us

Once we settled in, we were treated to a very special moment for one of my favorites. Today it was officially announced that Pablo "Panda" Sandoval will join the National League at the All-Star Game! He has certainly made up for any shortcomings last year with his rebooted batting average and catlike reflexes.

Panda will appear in the All-Star Game for the first time!

Panda was all over the field today! Not only did he hit a double and contribute to the first scoring streak, he has also lengthened his hits in consecutive games. And while playing at first base, Panda ran to catch foulouts, dove to stop grounders (today, unsuccessfully,) and jumped to catch popflies. Panda can move!

clapping for himself while on second... an act only a panda could get away with!

Homegrown hero Nate Schierholtz batted in the cleanup position today and hit 4 for 4!

Nate the Great!

Some weren't 100% sure that Buster was even here - you might argue that his time might be better spent in physical therapy - but midway through the game the camera panned to a smiling Posey in the dugout. Once his face hit the jumbotron the crowd went wild!

Buster in the house!

The thoughtful people behind the jumbotron program also showed live footage of the last launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis...

Houston, we have blastoff!

Nate and Panda may have been standouts today but truly, everyone was a star. There's no surprise that we won when the whole team works so well together. Torres, Fontenot, Crawford, and the indefatigable Whiteside were all nailing hits... even Matt Cain ripped the ball a few times. The bullpen kept the Mets in the dugout. And the game was finished by none other than International Closer of Epic-ness, Brian Wilson!

jump!

Matt Cain claimed 4 Ks, Afledt and Romo added one apiece, and Brian Wilson left three batters whiffing.

looks like a fan has made off with one of Cain's K's!

WIN! Perfect way to head into the All-Star break!

The swag:

not a bad dupe at all!

While taking out her bobblehead, Speedy accidentally broke off the PG&E logo on the corner of the base. I just might make like her and chip the little logo off myself!