* This will be the fourth All-Star Game played at Yankee Stadium. The AL won, 3-1, in 1939 and the NL took the other two contests: 6-0 in 1960 and 7-5 in 1977.
* Including a 5-4 victory at AT&T Park in 2007, the American League has won 10 straight All-Star Games (excluding the tie in 2002). The NL currently leads the all-time series, 40-36-2.
* With the addition of Carlos Marmol to the squad, the Cubs now have eight players selected to the All-Star team—tied for most ever by a National League team (last done by the 1960 Pirates).
* There are a total of 28 first-time All-Stars in tonight’s contest (13 in the NL and 15 in the AL). 2008’s leading vote getter, Alex Rodriguez will be making his 12th career All-Star Game appearance—tied with Manny Ramirez for most of any player on either squad.
* There are eight players in the 2008 ASG that switched teams following the 2007 season: NL players—Miguel Tejada, Brad Lidge, Dan Haren, Edinson Volquez: AL players—Josh Hamilton, George Sherrill, Carlos Quentin, Milton Bradley.
* When he takes the hill in the first inning, Ben Sheets (10-3, 2.85 ERA) will become the first Brewers pitcher to start an All-Star Game. Sheets has made three other All-Star Game appearances (2001, 2004 and 2007) and has not allowed a run (2.1 IP).
* Cliff Lee (12-2, 2.31 ERA) is the starting pitcher for the AL. This will be Lee’s first ever appearance in an All-Star Game and he becomes the first Indians’ pitcher to start a Mid-Summer Classic since Charles Nagy did so in 1996 (the last time the NL won an All-Star Game).
* Cub backstop, Geovany Soto is the first NL rookie catcher to start an All-Star Game and just the second rookie catcher all-time in either league to do so (Sandy Alomar Jr. started for the AL in 1990).
* Derek Jeter has hit .500 (8-for-16) in his first eight All-Star Games—tied for the best batting average all-time among players that have had at least 10 ASG at-bats.
* Josh Hamilton’s 95 RBI in 2008 are the fifth-most all-time by any player before the All-Star break (Hank Greenberg-103 in 1935, Juan Gonzalez-101 in 1998, Carlos Delgado-97 in 2003 and Manny Ramirez-96 in 1999).
* Ichiro was named the 2007 MVP after going 3-for-3 with 2 RBI, including the first ever inside-the-park home run in All-Star Game history. The last time a National League player won MVP honors was in 1996 (Mike Piazza of the Dodgers) and the last time a pitcher took home the award was in 1999 (Pedro Martinez of the Red Sox).
Copyright 2008 STATS LLC
Comments
I watched the entire Home Run Derby two nights ago and watched the entire All-Star game last night despite the fact I had to get up at 5:40am. I enjoyed both nights, but wondered what kind of bats they used. I think there was only one broken bat with all those hard swings. Hawk, you once called me "The sloganmeister" for my "It's sock it Thome time' and 'The Angels can wear the halos, but the Sox wear the crown." Here's a couple more for you. When Sox are home I'm a Cell-mate and on the road, I support Hose. The only way I like the Cubs is when they grow up and become Chicago Bears. A bonus one: We Sox fans chew Wrigley and stick it under our stadium seats, where they all belong. I hope we meet them in the Fall Cross-Town Classic. I love you guys! D.J. please don't leave. Go Sox!
Posted by: Carl-jimsox-rollberg | July 16, 2008 9:13 PM