No regrets for Uggla in All-Star disaster
07/16/2008 -
By Doug Mittler
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Don't look for Dan Uggla to hang his
head over a disastrous night in the 79th All-Star Game. The Florida Marlins second baseman set a dubious record during
Tuesday night's Midsummer Classic, becoming the first player in
All-Star history to commit three errors. He did not enter the
game until the sixth inning and even booted consecutive ground
balls in the 10th, when the American League loaded the bases but
failed to score. "It was just the way it went tonight," Uggla said. "You can't
do anything about it. I still had a lot of fun and I wouldn't
trade this experience for anything." The 10th inning began when Uggla could not handle a grounder by
Michael Young and then watched a sharply hit ball by Carlos
Quentin go through his legs. The American League would load the
bases and Uggla would rebound briefly, handling a ground ball in
time to get a force play at the plate. "It's not a lack of concentration. You just have to put it
behind you and move on," Uggla said. Uggla, who had made just six errors all season, was charged with
a third error when he booted a ground ball by J.D. Drew in the
13th. Yankees fans in the bleachers took note of Uggla's plight,
chanting "Hit the Ball to Uggla" on several occasions. Uggla
seemed to take it in stride. "The fans were great. They get rocking and get wild," Uggla
said. "It was a lot of fun." No consolation would come at the plate either. Uggla had a
chance to put the National League ahead in the 10th before he
grounded into a double play off Mariano Rivera with runners on
first and third to end the inning. That was the only time Uggla was able to put the ball in play,
as he struck out in the eighth, 12th and 15th. The American
League finally survived, 4-3, in 15 innings. If Uggla was looking for an excuse, Philadelphia Phillies second
baseman Chase Utley was offering one. "These are different from the regular season games," Utley said.
"You can't prepare the same way. Your bodies are not feeling
the same way because your routine is out of whack." It was the second All-Star selection for Uggla, who also
competed in the Home Run Derby on Monday and seemed thrilled
just to be part of the elaborate pre-game ceremonies as well as
a memorable Midsummer Classic. "I can't say enough about this place and this experience," Uggla
said. "I'd love to come back every year if I'm worthy enough.
It's something I'll never forget."
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