National League wins All-Star game
The National League has won the Major League Baseball’s All-Star game last night, beating the American League 3-1 for the first time since 1996.
They came from behind, with Brian McCann’s double in the seventh innings all that was required for the National League’s scoring, and earned McCann the Most Valuable Player distinction. “As a kid, this is what you dream about when you play baseball,” said McCann.
It was a timely welcome to form for McCann, who was 0-for-3 at the plate in his previous appearances. “You're facing quality guys. I wasn't even thinking about that at all,” he said.
The win means the National League will have home-field advantage when they play in the World Series later this year. National League manager Charlie Manuel believes this is vital.
“It's a big deal. I think home teams play better at home. It feels good, it feels real good. I talked to our guys before the game and told them how important home-field advantage was.”
Yankee’s player Alex Rodriguez, nicknamed A-Rod, didn’t even get a swing. “I definitely was looking for him. He’s one of the better hitters in the game, if not the best. That was going through my mind,” said Manuel.
“I was getting ready around the sixth inning on. Maybe next year,” said A-Rod.
Pictures of George Steinbrenner, the owner of the New York Yankees, were shown on the screens around the arena in front of nearly 45,500 spectators. Steinbrenner passed away yesterday morning, and there was a moment of silence and flags hung at half-mast.
“It's a difficult time, on a great day for baseball, the All-Star game, something everyone looks to. A great man in baseball passed. He's meant so much to not only this organization, but to the game of baseball, and to all of us personally,” said Yankees and American League manager Joe Girardi.
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