7/10/01: 2001 All-Star Game @ Safeco Field, Seattle

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Published 2010-09-16
National League 1 at American League 4, F -- There was magic in the crisp Seattle air at 2001 Midsummer Classic, as Cal Ripken prepared for his 19th and final All-Star Game. Everyone in attendance at Safeco Field (and watching at home) knew history was in the making. As the teams took the field, starting shortstop Alex Rodriguez very publicly gestured to Ripken to move over to his original position at short, motioning that he, Alex, would play third base (foreshadowing his switch with the Yankees some years later). As the crowd cheered them on, Cal, slightly embarrassed, agreed to the switch. In the third inning, as Ripken strode to the plate to the theme from "The Natural," the fans gave Cal one of the longest standing ovations ever. Minutes later, post-ovation, Cal stepped into the batters box swung at the first pitch from Chan Ho Park amid a sea of flashbulbs, and it sailed over the left field wall. Another heartfelt tribute from the fans ushered him around the bases. Prior to the sixth inning, Commissioner Bud Selig presented Ripken and Tony Gwynn, who was also retiring after the season, with the Commissioners' Historic Achievement Award. The award, which was created in 1998, is presented at the commissioner's discretion to any player whose body of work is in itself historical or any player who sets a record of historical significance. Cal put the final touches on his last All-Star game by holding the MVP trophy aloft. A fitting ending indeed.
All Comments (21)
  • @sbc8861
    In 2001... *The Seattle Mariners won 116 games, tying a major league record for regular season wins -- even after losing Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., and A-Rod the previous three seasons *Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs and won his record fourth MVP award *Roger Clemens won 20 games for the last time in his career and the Cy Young award for the fifth time, becoming the first player to win Cy Young awards for three different teams *Ichiro Suzuki set a record for most regular season hits by a rookie *Albert Pujols played his first season in MLB *John Smoltz returned from shoulder surgery and pitched relief for the first time in his MLB career, eventually becoming the closer for the Atlanta Braves *Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr., Paul O'Neill, and Mark McGwire played the final seasons of their careers *Sammy Sosa hit 60+ HR in a season for the third time in four years *9/11 put the regular season on hold for a week *The New York Yankees won the ALCS for the fourth consecutive year *Pedro Martinez was on pace for his third consecutive historically dominant season (7-1 with a 1.44 ERA through 11 starts) before injuring his shoulder for a third consecutive season *The Arizona Diamondbacks went to and won the World Series for the first and only time
  • @danishbrothal
    Wow I miss these days. Great lineups on both sides.
  • @user-tk1uf7qg5e
    イチローはやっぱりすごい。 Ichiro is the greatest Japanese baseball player!!
  • @Cancel1991
    They said Gwynn was an "honorary all-star", but he still hit .324 with a .384 OBP and .461 SLG that year. Pretty dang solid for a 20-year vet.
  • @xanderraymondcharles
    Right before 9/11. I remember watching this as a 9 year old kid with my dad. Simpler times...
  • @Pleasure2000
    10:18 Ichiro "hey! Bobby we're gonna kick your ass" Valentine "that's really good that's the English" A sequel to Valentine
  • @lonewolfx499
    In terms of the starters, it seems that 2001's All-Stars were the best.
  • @nestormedina529
    Ryan Klesko & Phil Nevin of the San Diego Padres (along with Tony Gwynn), the Rockstars of the San Diego durin' their Padre days🎸😎.
  • @NC-ek7ec
    R.I.P. Tony Gwynn :) Beautiful comments about Berkman around the 1:30:00 mark. This was the first all-star game I ever watched
  • @IPANoah
    I was a junior in HS. One of the great all-star games. So many iconic names of course- Cal Ripken hitting a dinger.
  • @walterlv01
    The last All-Star Game played in the afternoon was in 1969 and it is doubtful there will ever be another one, but because of the late summer sunsets in Seattle this is the only ASG since then to end while it was still daylight outside.
  • @hochiify
    conglalurations cal ripken jr. rip tony gwynn.
  • @samuelgalarza133
    ripken we miss youuu my man great player orioles my favor player iron man yesss
  • @NevadaLamb
    Just finished (re)watching the 1999 ASG and now watching this one, which stands out to me so much. I grew up in Seattle. It’s hard to believe this was 21 years ago. When I hear these names it’s like no time passed. Such nostalgia.
  • @SerenityNow9015
    Imagine if the ‘01 Mariners still had A-Rod, Jr. and Randy Johnson + Ichiro.