Readers, I have a secret. A deep, dark secret. One that is so telling, it could ruin my legitimacy as a politico. I, Pragmatically Political, am a huge sports fan. I will watch and analyze virtually any competitive activity. I specialize in baseball, basketball, football, and college. I’d be lying if I didn’t say Northwestern’s Big 10 membership was a monster draw for me. Yesterday was to be the sports fans’ dream. And so begins today’s tale.

I had the best laid plans. After work, I was to buy the PS2 version of NCAA ‘09 and watch the all-Star game while testing out the new game. Instead, what ensued was a 7 hour marathon of stress, disappointment, and frustration.

I’m reasonably sure that I’m the only video gamer who still plays on a PlayStation2. I’m too cheap, lazy, and indecisive to decide if I want a PS3 or an XBOX360 (suggestions welcome!). The prices keep falling, the bugs are being removed, and I have to assume that eventually (read: by Christmas 2013) one system will reign supreme. Until then, I’m playing a game with limited graphics and fewer features without online capability and on a 17 inch used TV that I bought off a guy for $20. The game itself is good, but not great. The gameplay is still smooth, but EA Sports added very few new features/options to the PS2 version. I think I’m finally becoming tired with the series that has defined my childhood/adolescence/young adulthood.

I started my Dynasty mode as my beloved Northwestern Wildcats and haven’t won my first 3 matchups, losing to the likes of football lightweights Syracuse, Duke, and Southern Illinois. In short, EA made this year’s version ridiculously difficult. Any pass that isn’t directed to a receiver who is WIDE open is an interception. I threw 8 interceptions on my first 11 pass attempts against Syracuse. Since I prefer to play on Heisman (the hardest difficulty setting), I will pretend that last night never happened and start a new dynasty tonight on All-American (the 2nd hardest setting). In short, I feel emasculated, embarrassed, and humbled. Machine: 1, Man: 0.

Dan Uggla All-star Game Error

When I wasn’t embarrassing myself and my revered Northwestern Wildcats, I figured I could enjoy the All-Star game. Being on Central time, the game started an hour earlier than I’m used to, so I hoped to catch up on some sleep. Somehow the sports deities thought it would be funny to have the game last until nearly 2 AM EST. Each team blew huge opportunities to take the lead/win it outright. Timely defense, base-running blunders, and clutch pitching were the order of the night (and early morning). The clear dud was Florida 2nd baseman Dan Uggla. This all-star grounded into an inning-ending double play with runners at 1st and 3rd in the top of the 10th inning. He then made two consecutive errors to put runners at 1st and 3rd for the AL in the bottom of the inning…he was saved by solid defense and timely pitching from Aaron Cook. In the top of the 12th, Uggla struck out with the bases loaded and one out. A simple sacrifice fly would have given the NL the lead, but Uggla failed again.

When all was said and done, this was Dan Uggla’s night: 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts and 6 men left on base. He also had THREE errors. Congratulations Dan Uggla, you have now become the focus of a witch hunt for fans of every NL team which thinks it has a chance to get to the World Series. Dan Uggla, meet Steve Bartman.

So that was my night. I sucked at playing an inferior game on an inferior system. Then I cost myself 2-3 hours of sleep staying up all night to watch the NL suck it up.

In case you were curious, the only player on an all-Star roster to not play was Tim Lincecum of my beloved San Francisco Giants. This stud pitcher was not available because he was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms. In a game which showcases the best of the best, I didn’t get a chance to see my favorite baseball player. Awesome. As bad as my day was, I can’t imagine it being much worse than having the undignified title as the only player to not appear in what might be the best all-star game of all-time.

I’ll try to keep up my blogging for the remainder of the week, but I leave for Austin, TX tomorrow. I’ll be at the Americans for Prosperity Conference. In the meantime, Go U Northwestern and Hook ‘Em Horns!