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| Tuesday, July 11 | |||||
| Tuesday's All-Star notebook | |||||
| ATLANTA -- Randy Johnson made his start for the National
League short, sweet and successful.
The big left-hander left after an eight-pitch scoreless first
inning, then sat and watched the 71st All-Star Game just like the
rest of the sellout crowd of 51,323 at Turner Field.
Unfortunately, the American League had more success against the
NL's other pitchers and went on to a 6-3 win Tuesday night.
"I was pretty pleased to throw eight pitches and get the game
over from my vantage point so I could now be a fan and watch the
game," said Johnson, who pitched Sunday and was told by NL manager
Bobby Cox that he would pitch only the first inning.
"I think seven were strikes, I was told, and I think I threw
two or three breaking balls," said Johnson, who is 14-2 with an
1.80 ERA and 198 strikeouts in 144 2/3 innings.
He got Roberto Alomar to bounce out for the first out, gave up a
double to left to Derek Jeter, then retired Bernie Williams on a
grounder to short and struck out Jason Giambi.
Morgan forgets ESPN commentator Joe Morgan got the winning hit in the NL's 4-3, 10-inning victory at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in 1972, the last time the All-Star game was in Atlanta. He didn't forget the game, but didn't realize it was the last time the game was in Atlanta. "No. I didn't forget the game, but I didn't know there hadn't been an All-Star game here in 28 years," said the 10-time NL All-Star, who began a string of seven straight starts in the 1972 game. "Obviously I have fond memories of the game. It was also my first year with the Cincinnati Reds. "It was actually the start of people knowing who I was. It wasn't my first All-Star game, but it was my first start, and I played the whole game that day," he said. Giambi ad Jason Giambi took out a full-page advertisement in Tuesday's Oakland Tribune to thank fans for voting him to the AL All-Star team. "Tonight, I will have the privilege of representing the Oakland Athletics as the starting first baseman for the American League. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for this honor," he said in the ad. "Playing major league baseball is a dream come true. Having your brother as a teammate is something I couldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams. But, being a part of this Oakland A's team is something unique," he wrote. Dad's joy The All-Stars got to show a little fatherly pride Tuesday night. During the pregame ceremony, the players' sons and daughters also were introduced to the sellout crowd at Turner Field. It was a first for baseball, and a big hit with the players, who walked onto the field from center field and stood around the diamond with their children to share the ovations. Andres Galarraga, who is back with the Braves after missing last year while recuperating from cancer treatment, got a big cheer as he carried his 2-year-old daughter, Andrianna, onto the field and tipped his cap. "It's great," said Atlanta's Greg Maddux, who walked out with his 3-year-old son, Chase, and 6-year-old daughter, Amanda. At Fenway Park last year, baseball honored the living members of the sport's top 100 Players of the Century. "Now major league baseball is looking to the future -- to the new generation," said spokeswoman Katy Feeney, "and the players are carrying it out with their children." Costly replacements Replacing those injured players at Tuesday's All-Star game cost owners an extra $250,000. That's because six of the seven players chosen as replacements received bonus money for selection to the game. Colorado's Jeffrey Hammonds gets $75,000; Arizona's Steve Finley and the Chicago Cubs' Joe Girardi get $50,000 each; and Toronto's Tony Batista, Baltimore's Mike Bordick and St. Louis' Edgar Renteria get $25,000 apiece. Jones homecoming There's another Jones in the All-Star Game, and he's from Georgia, too. Everyone in Atlanta has heard of the two representing the Braves, Chipper and Andruw. This one, Todd Jones, is on the AL team and is the Detroit Tigers' only player on the squad. Jones, who grew up in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta and went to Osborne High School there, made his first appearance in the game. He pitched a perfect seventh inning and struck out Andruw Jones. "It's great. I have a chance to rub elbows with the greatest ball players of my era. I'm just in awe," said the right-hander, who leads the AL in saves with 24 in 25 opportunities. "Not bad. I'm doing a lot better than last year," said Jones, who converted 20 of his last 22 save chances a year ago and ended with 30 saves. Dating back to 1997, Jones has converted 105 of his last 116 save opportunities and has 113 career saves. He had about 45 friends and relatives in the stands, including his mother, Lise, who works at the state Capitol, just down the street from Turner Field. Etc. Following Monday night's Home Run Derby, singer Marc Anthony performed at a party at the World Congress Center. On the drums was former major-leaguer Carlos Baerga. On guitar was Bernie Williams, the New York Yankees' star and AL starting center fielder. ... Hank Aaron threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Hall of Famer had a two-run homer in 1972, the last time the game was played in Atlanta, helping the NL to a 4-3 win in 10 innings. ... Celebrities included Japan's commissioner of baseball, Hiromori Kawashima, a guest of baseball commissioner Bud Selig. ... Former Atlanta star Dale Murphy, an honorary captain for the NL team, posed before the game with former President Jimmy Carter in the commissioner's box. | ALSO SEE Jeter-led AL wins its fourth straight All-Star Game | ||||