I was unusually excited about this year's All-Star game and Home Run Derby going into this past weekend. And not because the game actually counts for something, I don't care about that. I was excited about seeing history. I wanted to see Barry Bonds, Ken Griffrey Jr. and Sammy Sosa out in the field at the same time that Rafeal Palmeiro was at the plate. Four living members of the 500 home run club all playing at the same time, in the same game.

Leave it to Griffrey's hamstring to tear it all up.

Poor Griffrey. He was having such a good season too, his best in over three years.

That said, I'm sure we're all in agreement that Griffrey's All-Star spot should have been filled by Jim Edmonds.

Edmonds is the best center fielder in baseball, let alone the National League Central division. He's responsible for the Cardinals' strong defense this year and his bat is heating up as well.

He should have gotten the nod over Houston's Carlos Beltran. Granted, Beltran is having a tremendous season and he was supposed to be on the AL roster, but he's young and talented. There will be many more All-Star chances for him.

The Cards have the best record in the National League and the second best in baseball behind the Yankees. But you couldn't tell it if the two teams compared All-Stars.

Now compare your calendar with this week ahead:

Wednesday

Cape Girardeau Ford and Sons Senior Legion baseball team hosts the Supermen of Metropolis, Ill. at 6 p.m. at Capaha Field.

Thursday

The first 1,500 fans receive an autograph book but all fans have the opportunity to participate in the autograph session at 6 p.m. behind home plate. Memphis Redbirds host the Iowa Cubs at 7.

Friday

This weekend is busy for the racing fans, there are two major events this weekend at local tracks. If you can't decide which to go see, my vote is for this one:

The parking lots and gates open at 9 a.m. for practices and qualifying all day at Nashville Superspeedway. The drivers will hold an autograph session from 8 to 9 that night.

But if you prefer trucks over open-wheel race cars, then you should head north: Qualifying for Saturday's Ram Tough 200 begins at 3:30 p.m. at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis, then the ARCA will race the Shop 'N Save 150 at 8.

Saturday

The real fun gets underway Saturday night. The gates open at 4 p.m. for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200, which begins at 7 p.m. Travis Tritt will play a concert following the race.

David Wilson is a sportswriter for the Southeast Missourian and his column appears every Monday.