Seattle welcomes All-Stars
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SEATTLE — There's a sign hanging from the Washington Mutual Bank in downtown Seattle that reads: "Welcome All-Stars."
It's written in Japanese.
So was one of the best chapters of the first half of this incredible baseball season for tonight's 72nd All-Star Game at Safeco Field.
Ichiro Suzuki has made folks in the Pacific Northwest all but forget about Gates, and the Mariners outfielder has opened more eyes than Starbucks' strongest double espresso. His remarkable journey from Japan's Orix Blue Wave to the United States has taken some of the spotlight away from San Francisco's Barry Bonds, whose 39-homer first half had fans checking every Giants boxscore to see whether Bonds continued his assault on Mark McGwire's single-season home run record of 70.
Suzuki, though, has impacted the game like no player in recent years, bringing his unique style, quick feet and sweet stroke to the Mariners after winning seven straight batting titles in Japan.
He is Japan's favorite son, but he has captured the imaginations of fans everywhere.
Suzuki leads the majors in hits (134) and is tied for the lead in stolen bases (28), leading the surprising Mariners to the best record (63-24) in baseball.
Bonds? He has become the greatest home run hitter in the majors, the first to hit 39 before the break. He hasn't hit one in more than two weeks, but he is still ahead of McGwire's pace.
"So that a national audience can see him, Bonds will play most of the All-Star Game," said New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, who manages the National League tonight. "The spotlight should be on him."
There will be other stars and stories for tonight's game, which couldn't have found a better home. The Mariners became only the third team to reach 63 wins before the break, and the city is in full celebration — there are eight Mariners on the AL team, the most representatives for a team since the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates. Four Mariners — first baseman John Olerud, second baseman Bret Boone, designated hitter Edgar Martinez and right fielder Suzuki — will start. And Kazuhiro Sasaki, another Japanese star who has found a home in Seattle, could finish for the AL, which hasn't lost since 1996. He is tied for the major-league lead with 29 saves.
"This city is going crazy," Boone said. "I know all of the guys are looking forward to it. I know when the moment comes and the game starts, it's going to be a time when you get goose bumps."
Especially for Baltimore Orioles third baseman Cal Ripken Jr., who is playing in his 19th and final All-Star Game. Ripken, who announced last month he will retire at the end of the season, overcame Anaheim's Troy Glaus and Seattle's David Bell in the final week of voting to earn the start.
The game might also feature a showdown between AL starting pitcher Roger Clemens of the New York Yankees and Mets catcher Mike Piazza, who have not faced each other since a volatile confrontation in Game 2 of last year's World Series, when Clemens picked up a piece of Piazza's broken bat and slung it toward Piazza.
San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn, whose long and illustrious career will end after this season, is on the NL team but won't play because of an injury.
Homecoming, Home Run Derby
• A-Rod returns: Alex Rodriguez did not win yesterday's All-Star Home Run Derby, but after getting bounced from the competition in the first round, the Rangers shortstop couldn't help but smile broadly.
After being booed vociferously in his first two visits to Safeco Field since ditching the Mariners last December, A-Rod nearly had to be shoved into the popular home run contest by emissaries from the Commissioner's Office. But the smattering of boos that followed his introduction yesterday was quickly engulfed by a swell of cheers. Within seconds, a standing ovation ensued for the former Mariners star.
"I was definitely taken aback," Rodriguez said. "I was expecting the worst, and I didn't want booing to be the big story of the event. But I have a great deal of gratitude for my six years playing here. And, I guess deep down inside, they do, too."
Arizona Diamondbacks' outfielder Luis Gonzalez won the Derby, outhomering defending champion Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs in the final round, 6-2.
