The Examiner
2008-07-16 07:00:00.0
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Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game and connected events have always produced great memories. Monday night was no exception as Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton blasted a record 28-homers in the first round of the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium. Here’s a look at five memorable moments from the Midsummer Classic.

1. Cal Ripken Jr. steals the show in Skydome: The Hall of Fame Orioles shortstop had the best year of his career in 1991, which included blasting a three-run homer in the third inning to help the American League win, 4-2. The night before, Ripken proved you didn’t have to be on steroids to put on a power display as he won the Home Run Derby.

2. Cito Gaston feels the wrath of Baltimore: It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since Camden Yards hosted the All-Star Game in 1993. This game will be remembered locally most for who didn’t play in the game. Gaston did not gain any friends in Charm City when the then and now current Blue Jays manager did not insert Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina into the game. Time heals all wounds as in was later revealed Mussina knew he wasn’t going to pitch because of an injury.

3. Ted Williams makes grown men cry: Before he was the poster boy for cryonics, Williams was a pretty good baseball player. This was never more apparent than in 1999 when the Splendid Splinter received a standing when he threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park in Boston.

4. Bud Selig’s worst night in Milwaukee: The 73rd All-Star Game in 2002 was supposed to be a highlight in Selig’s life, as the game was held at Miller Park, home of the team the commissioner had owned for years. But, that dream quickly turned fadeed when Selig called the game a 7-7 tie after both teams used all of their players after 10 innings. That debacle led to the “this time it counts” campaign in which the winning league earned home field advantage in the World Series.

5. Offense disappears in Oakland: If Hamilton put on the ultimate power display at an All-Star event, then the 1987 game was the ultimate display in hitting futility. This game went 13 innings and neither team scored until Tim Raines hit a two-run game-winning triple to go the National League a 2-0 victory.

WHAT WE LIKED

To help celebrate the All-Star Game and the last year of Yankee Stadium, Major League Baseball brought back 50 Hall of Famers for the event, including former Orioles manager Earl Weaver and players like Ripken, Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson. Robinson being honored at a major league ballpark … what a novel idea.

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

L.A. Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez announcing during the All-Star break that he will file for free agency after the season. Although K-Rod is making $10 million this year, he is not happy with how he was treated, saying, “They had six years. They didn’t get anything done with me.”

STAR OF THE DAY: BERNIE WALTER

The longtime Arundel High baseball coach stepped down after 27 years as the Anne Arundel County school’s athletics director. He hasn’t ruled out a return to coaching in 2009 as he holds the career state record for wins (597) and state titles (10).

DONKEY OF THE DAY: BRETT FARVE/ GREEN BAY PACKERS

This pair is worse than a pair of bickering preschoolers. The battle of he said-he said continued Monday when Farve said in an interview on Fox News, “I am guilty of retiring early.” Farve and the Packers need to move on from one another and a trade away from Green Bay is the only way to go at this point.