Over the past some 85 years the MLB All-Star game has been a tradition in Baseball and each year it has grown in popularity and importance for the sport. Starting back in 2003 this All-Star game became a show piece ofthe best of baseball and the competition for home field advantage, all of which has made the All-Star game more exciting.
This year’s game was close with the final score 5-3 with the American League beating the National League while the Los Angeles star outfielder Mike Trout was designated as the 2014 All-Star Most Valuable Player after he had two hits that scored two runs and he scored a run for the American League as well.
Not overlooking Trout as the MVP, bit the big story of this 2014 All-Star game was that of shortstop and team captain of the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter, a respected player in baseball and said to be one of the best shortstops in baseball history, and known by most as “Mr. November, or “The Captain. This game was Jeter’s 14th and final All-Star game of his 20 year career in the MLB. He had previously announced that he would be retiring at the end of this 2014 season.
The 2013 All-Star game had a similar situation as baseball said goodbye to one of the greatest closers all time in Baseball with the retiring Mariano Rivera the MLB all-time saves leader. But this year’s outpouring of respect and love for Jeter from the fans, managers, coaches and players from all teams and leagues appeared to be much more special this 2014. Then as the game started Jeter took his place at the plate and got his first hit of his two hits of the evening, which was a double deep off to the right off on National League picture Wainwright.
The bulk of the scoring in this 2014 All-Star game came early for both teams. The star of the game Trout was second for the American League and he connected with a long triple to center field allowing Jeter to score. Thus Jeter had the first hit of the game and scored the first run of the game with the Nationals. Then Detroit Tiger star, who is the most recent triple crown winner and been two time the American League MVP hit a huge two run shot that scored Trout and himself to put the AL up 3-0.
The bottom of the second had no scoring, while the second ending saw the AL starter allowed Lester a hit and then back to back doubles by Utley and Lucroy of the Nationals and made the score 3-2. Then in the 4th inning the NL scored again which tied the game a 3 to 3.
The game did not remain tied long as in the 5th inning as the final two runs of the game were score in the bottom of the 5th making the score AL 5 NL 3.
In the 6th through the 9th innings were no very eventful as the coaches of both teams gave the reserves an opportunity to play in one of baseball’s biggest games of the season. The winning pitcher for the game was Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers and last year’s Cy Young winner. The losing pitcher was Neshek of the Cardinals and Minnesota Twins, Glen Perkins was awarded the save.
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