A Giant night for vindication

As a baseball fan, you always want to see your team's players perform well in the national spotlight of the ALL-STAR GAME.

Of course, nothing prepared me for last night's 83rd All-Star Game, in which members of the SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS led the way to a NATIONAL LEAGUE rout, 8-0 over the AMERICAN LEAGUE.

Fans from other parts of the country had complained that Giants fans were "stuffing the ballot box" when Pablo Sandoval, Melky Cabrera and Buster Posey were named All-Star Game starters. Fans elsewhere complained again when Matt Cain received the nod to start the game.

For those who weren't paying attention, Sandoval hit the first bases-loaded triple in All-Star Game history; Cabrera singled, hit a two-run homer and was named the game's Most Valuable Player; Cain pitched two scoreless innings for the victory and Posey drew a first-inning walk and scored.

Incidentally, Cabrera's MVP award was the first for a Giant since Bobby Bonds won in 1973 -- which was also the last time the All-Star Game was played in Kansas City.