"He sounded like a guy who just got called up."
-- David Ortiz on Mariano Rivera's pregame speech before the 2013 All Star Game.
It's day two of the scheduled off days during the All-Star break and if you're like the rest of us suffering through a two day baseball purgatory, I would recommend going back on your TiVo and rewinding Tuesday night's game to the eighth inning again.
If you didn't get a chance to watch the game because you were in a coma or your first son was being born, you'll see this for the first time...
It's moments like that that make baseball so f-------g awesome. Congrats Mariano Rivera. You deserved every second of that ovation and more. It is also the last time we'll see a number "42" play in the All-Star game again.
One of the most genuine, kindest, and classiest guys to ever pitch a baseball then completed a perfect inning to help the AL to a 3-0 win. He's come a long way since this....
There were some other things that happened in the game that were entertaining. The American League mashers in Miguel Cabrera, Chris Davis and Jose Bautista combined their powers to put the AL on the board early. Matt Harvey shined at home after some early trouble. Andrew McCutchen stole a base. Manny Machado reminded everyone why he's the best defensive third baseman in the world and Prince Fielder even tripled. Neil Diamond sang 'Sweet Caroline.' But this was the Mariano Rivera Show tonight.
He's appeared in over a thousand contests, recorded over 600 saves but the numbers only tell part of what makes Mariano Rivera. His unbridled love of the game and passion for people is the epitome of a future first ballot Hall of Famer. He's the guy that always says he is "blessed" to play baseball and everyone actually believes him. Exit Sandman, We'll miss you Mo.
And today, we've got a quick list of some other great All-Star game moments. Baseball's proverbial second half begins tomorrow! See you then....
1933: Babe Ruth hits a home run in the inaugural All-Star game.
1934: Carl Hubbel strikes out five future Hall of Famers in 1934
1941: Ted Williams hits walk-off home run
1946: Ted Williams puts on a hitting clinic and homers off Rip Sewell's "eephus" pitch
(eephus pitch at 1:43)
(eephus pitch at 1:43)
1955: Stan Musial homer wins it for NL in walk-off fashion
1970: Pete Rose ruins Ray Fosse in extra innings
1971: Reggie Jackson hits a home run at Tiger Stadium that lands in Upper Peninsula.
It was also Roberto Clemente's final All-Star appearance
1983: Fred Lynn hits only Grand Slam in All Star Game history
1984: Fernando Valenzuela and Doc Gooden mow down the American League
1989: Bo Jackson shows off all Five Tools in California
1993: John Kruk misses Randy Johnson's pitches by 7 1/2 Altuve's
1999: All Century Team at Fenway, Ted Williams makes us teary and Pedro Dominates
2001: A-Rod makes Cal Ripken Jr. play shortstop, Cal homers too
Torii Hunter robs Barry Bonds; Bud Selig calls a tie
Hall of Famers at Yankee Stadium's last ASG. AL wins in extras
Jim Leyland talks about Rivera
Rivera talks about the All Star game
That should be enough baseball clips to get you guys through today. The season resumes tomorrow. Catch you guys then!
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