I’m still a little in shock at how long this All-Star Game went becoming the longest in baseball history as the American League once again found a way to prevail over the National League coming back twice to tie late before pulling out a well earned 4-3 win in an unpredictable 15 innings.

The hero was Texas shortstop Michael Young, whose pop fly to right was deep enough to score Twins’ first baseman Justin Morneau from third due to a dreadful throw by Milwaukee’s Corey Hart. If he had any arm at all, it wouldn’t have been close because Morneau is slow as molasses. Still, his throw which bounced up the first baseline nearly made it in time but Atlanta’s Brian McCann applied the tag too late allowing the AL to once again reign supreme extending their unbeaten streak to 12 (11-0-1).

The question is will the Senior Circuit ever have a better chance to win a game? They led 2-0 until AS MVP J.D. Drew homered to tie it in the seventh. They led 3-2 in the eighth four outs away until Mets closer Billy Wagner, who was called on to get one out imploded probably driving Met fans nuts by giving up a single to Grady Sizemore and tying ground rule double to Tampa rookie third baseman Evan Longoria.

It only prolonged the agony as each team failed miserably with runners on base stranding runner after runner. Heck. Colorado 11-game winner Aaron Cook even did a houdini act escaping a bases loaded no out jam with three consecutive groundouts with the first two coming home. He also got out of another inning as a game which took a record four hours and 50 minutes not concluding until 1:37 EST.

God. I hate the West coast. Why should such a historic game played at Yankee Stadium with legend after legend showing up in New York be catered to the Pacific? How many times do us East coasters have to get screwed by this ridiculous standard? There were barely anyone left of a record crowd of 56,632 when it concluded.

Is that the way to treat the people who coughed up a ton of bread just to be part of history? All cause even when the game’s in New York, the laid back Westerners who don’t give two craps about it and would rather Tivo or DVR it are being catered to yet again.

I have a suggestion which might work for future telecasts. If such a big game is in a different time zone, start it earlier to accomodate the fans who attend it. Remember them baseball? I have to agree with something someone who called into my Hard Hits radio show said. TV is ruining the game. They’ve become so ratings-sessed that they don’t give a damn who they screw. Most people in this city should’ve been able to stay with the game longer before tuning it out.

It’s a complete joke. This happened to be one of the best AS Games I can recall full of drama. Sure. Dan Uggla Ugly stunk it up finishing without a hit, three K’s and an AS Game record three errors. He did everything possible to try to screw his own team but kept getting bailed out. And yes. The two teams stunk it up finishing a combined 3-for-28 with RISP (NL- 0 for 6, AL- 3 for 22).

But who didn’t appreciate the gritty play of Pirates’ center fielder Nate McLouth, who in my book was the MVP if the NL won with a perfect bunt down the line hustling to beat it out in what looked like a potential winning inning for his team. Then, on a basehit, he charged up and threw a strike nailing a runner at the plate to keep the game and long night going. What a player.

Mariano Rivera did his thing after Jonathan Papelbon gave up a run drawing more boos from the crowd for his remarks about wanting to close the game out. And all the best closer in the game did was do what he does best tossing one and two thirds scoreless while fanning a couple.

It’s ashame that many weren’t able to stay up and take in what was one of the most fun and unpredictable AS Games. Imagine if it had started say 90 minutes earlier? You’re telling me they couldn’t? Don’t answer that. Logic of most people on the East coast being home and having dinner before say a 7:15 start never prevails in the corporate world.

They must’ve taken that “City That Never Sleeps” slogan a little too much to heart.

The loser is baseball despite what was a memorable night. Oh well.