All-Star Break

I love watching the All-Star Game festivities for it is a time to see players relax and truly have fun, while putting aside for the most part, team rivalries. The rivalry during this week is between leagues not teams. So for one time during the year I root for Boston and all American League players, not just my Yankees. It is a time to watch the legends of baseball mingle with the stars of today. Tomorrow night I will be camped out watching the game with the person who gave me my love of baseball and taught me all I know -- my Dad.

For me this year is sort of bitter-sweet. The All-Star game is being held in Phoenix where my grandpa lived later in life. He is the reason I am a Yankee fan. My grandpa grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and as a little boy watched Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and the rest of the great Yankees during the 20's and 30's from the right field bleachers of Yankee Stadium, when a double header cost 25 cents. If he were still alive, I'd hope to be in Phoenix watching the game with Grandpa and my dad.

Congratulations...

Congratulations to Robinson Cano for winning the Home Run Derby tonight. He put on a great show. It was special to watch his father pitch to him, and Joe Torre to present the award. I'm so glad the Boston player didn't win, though it was fun watching the final round be Boston versus New York. New York prevailed and Cano and his three fellow All-Star teammates celebrated like it was the playoffs.

And the wait continues...

Sadly, Derek Jeter did not get a single hit tonight, and neither did any of his teammates. No, it was not because the opposing pitcher pitched a shut-out or perfect game. RAIN! Yes, tonight's games was rained out and so I must wait another day for Jeter to hit #3,000.

However, Jeter, along with Alex Rodriguez, have withdrawn from playing in the All-Star Game. Mariano Rivera declined early this week. All three are staying home to rest and recover from nagging injuries. I'm sad as they are some of my favorite Yankee players, but if they win the World Series, it will all be worth it.

The Captain's Return

After about three weeks on the disabled list, Derek Jeter, made his return to the Yankees yesterday. Sadly, he did not get any hits in his quest to become the first Yankee and 28th ballplayer to have 3,000 career hits, but it is only a matter of time.

All-Star Game

It was revealed over the weekend that the Yankees will be sending six players to the All-Star game in Phoenix. Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter will be part of the starting squad, while Russell Martin and Mariano Rivera will be reserve players.

Cano has accepted an invitation to participate in the Home-Run Derby. Often, players who participate have a decline in their offensive production for the second half of the season. Hopefully, this will not happen with him.

Looking Back

Yesterday, July 4th, marked the 72 anniversary of the farewell address of one of the greatest ballplayers to his fellow players and the world at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees honored Lou Gehrig by retiring his #4, becoming the first team to show this honor to a player. The "Iron Horse" is still remembered today for his many amazing accomplishments and a career that was cut short in his prime.

"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth." - Lou Gehrig