2000 All-Star Game: The Captain Shines

The 2000 All-Star Game had one of the most beautiful introductions. It was lovely to see the stars walk on the field with their children. Also, R&B singer Brandy singing the National Anthem made the event more memorable. Bobby Cox represented the National League as the manager. Joe Torre managed for the American League. Both managers faced off in the previous World Series, in which the Yankees swept the Braves. As for this All-Star Game, the American League defeated the National League by 6–3. 

Fifteen players made their first All-Star appearances. Seven additional All-Stars voted to start lineups by the fans were also injured and missing:

American League

  • Baltimore Orioles 3B Cal Ripken Jr. was selected to start by the fans but could not play due to injury.
  • Seattle Mariners SS Alex Rodriguez was set to start by the fans but could not play due to a head injury.
  • Cleveland Indians RF Manny Ramírez was chosen to start by the fans but could not play due to injury.

National League

  • New York Mets C Mike Piazza was selected to start by the fans but could not play due to injury.
  • St. Louis Cardinals 1B Mark McGwire was selected to start by the fans but could not play due to injury.
  • San Francisco Giants LF Barry Bonds was selected to start by the fans but could not play due to a thumb injury.
  • Cincinnati Reds CF Ken Griffey, Jr. was selected to start by the fans but was unable to play due to injury but did participate in the home run derby. He did not attend the All-Star Game.

In this game, only one home run was allowed, which came from the Brave’s Chipper Jones, who became the thirteenth player to hit an All-Star home run in his ballpark. 

Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter became the first in blue pinstripes to win an All-Star Most Valuable Player Award. The 26-year-old and future captain collected three hits, drove two runs, and scored another. He was the star of the night. 

Leave a Reply