Ripken's storybook blast keys fifth straight AL win

E-mail this article Print this article Other links Ichiro takes first at-bat in stride M's fans lay off A-Rod NL notebook: Fehr optimistic of labor agreement All-Star Game box score Cal Ripken Jr. says he's honored to be named MVP in his final All-Star game Tommy's big tumble Notebook: Cubs have eye on McGriff AL notebook: Cameron glad Alex jeers turn to cheers

The mood was so good at the All-Star Game, the Safeco Field sellout crowd even roared for Alex Rodriguez.

The midsummer classic is a game-turned-event-turned-international extravaganza, and the 72nd version had a bit of everything in a 4-1 win for the American League.

Among other things, the first hit and the save were by players from Japan, Ichiro and Kazu Sasaki of Seattle, the win went to a Venezuelan, the Mariners' Freddy Garcia, and the loss to a Korean, the Dodgers' Chan Ho Park.

But the moment right out of Disney was by a classic U.S. player and that moment was a keeper.

Baltimore's Cal Ripken Jr., with timing to match his storied durability, closed his record 19-time All-Star career with his second All-Star MVP Award, won largely on a first-pitch home run off Park in the third inning.

The stunning homer - which made Ripken, at 40 years and 10 months, the oldest player to hit one in an All-Star Game - was it for drama, however, as the American League beat the National League for a fifth straight time and 11th time in 14 games.

"I feel very fortunate to have been around the game," Ripken said of the MVP Award. "I've had some moments in baseball I'll always cherish and hold onto, this being one of them."

Ripken said he got goosebumps from the standing ovation as he went up to hit for the first time.

"The ovation and all, I didn't want the game delayed for that," he said. "I just stepped back in and just saw the first pitch and swung and the ball went out and I felt like I was flying around the bases."

AL Manager Joe Torre called Ripken's night "really special ... the home run was magical. Cal is such a class individual and his legacy in baseball is not going to be how he played, but the way he played. The way he carried himself is wonderful."

The night even had a touch more offense when Derek Jeter of the Yankees and Magglio Ordonez of the White Sox bang-banged fifth-inning balls out to center, only the fifth back-to-back homers in All-Star history.

If anything, it was a big night for The Eight Men In, Seattle's All-Star contingent.

Ichiro got the first hit of the night, off NL starter Randy Johnson, beating out a first-inning smash gloved by first baseman Todd Helton of the Rockies. Garcia got the win, with a perfect third inning on seven pitches. After Jeff Nelson belted through the seventh, Sasaki got the save with similar perfection in the ninth.

"Talk about feeling at home," said Mariners Manager Lou Piniella, an AL coach. "Ichiro gets a hit, Freddy a win, Kazu a save. I think our guys gave a good account of themselves. Seattle had a good night, while our league had a good night."

At one point, from the fourth through the sixth, Torre had Bret Boone, Mike Cameron, John Olerud and Edgar Martinez hitting 4-5-6-7.

But even here behind the Cascades, happy about the Mariners, their Stars and their season, they'll remember Ripken's last All-Star Game. While the pitchers took control, the old Oriole took the hearts of the 47,364, the fifth-largest crowd in Safeco Field history.

In addition to his emotional hit into the NL bullpen, the Hall of Fame-bound infielder got two awards - he and Tony Gwynn were given the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award - and was involved in a touching piece of byplay just as the game was about to start.

Rodriguez, who grew up idolizing the Baltimore great, pushed Ripken to shortstop, the position he played with such style for so many years before moving to third base. In confusion, Ripken looked toward the dugout and Torre waved him over.

Rodriguez said he had the idea 10 days ago and called Torre, who said it was a a go.

"It was an opportunity to let everyone reminisce over what a great career he's had at shortstop. The home run was unbelievable, it gave everyone goosebumps."

All the goosebump brigade required was Tony Gwynn stepping up and lining a single somewhere. But the San Diego all-timer, an honorary member of the NL squad, said, "If I was on the team it would have taken a spot away from a deserving guy."

Instead, Gwynn got to share a piece of Ripken's night during the fame delay between the fifth and sixth innings. With Bud Selig saying nice things and the All-Star players gathered around them near the third-base line, they each were given their awards.

It was a sweet touch, if a bit contrived, although Toronto reliever Paul Quantrill may have another description because he had to stand around for the ceremony, lose the effect of his warmup pitches, give up two hits and get lifted.

In keeping with the international theme of the baseball fest, Quantrill is a Canadian.

As to our national pastime gone worldwide, Ripken said, "It just seems so natural for us to compete and play together. It's exciting to have players from different parts of the world competing at the highest level."