The AL defeated the NL 4-2 last night in the T-Mobile MLB All-Star Game at Petco Park, and the game "served as the culmination" of a couple days when Red Sox DH David Ortiz had been at "center stage as he bids farewell to the game," according to Jorge Ortiz of USA TODAY (7/13). FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal writes the game "amounted to a fitting All-Star farewell" for Ortiz, though he "failed to deliver with typical Big Papi flourish." He gave a pregame speech to the AL locker room and "carried out the lineup card to home plate" (FOXSPORTS.com, 7/13). Ortiz went 0-1 with a walk when he was replaced by Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion as a pinch-runner in the third inning. In Boston, Pete Abraham notes when Ortiz turned to go back to the dugout, the AL players "came out on the field to applaud him," and the NL players "followed suit" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/13). In San Diego, Bryce Miller notes Ortiz "rivaled hometown Padres for applause and adulation" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/13). In N.Y., Mark Feinsand writes Ortiz' All-Star sendoff "wasn't as memorable" as those for former Yankees Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter, but he "insisted earlier in the day he wasn't looking for any lasting moment" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/13). MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred prior to the game said of Ortiz, “He really is an iconic player. I’m a big believer in personality. He’s got a personality that really is bigger than life. ... We’ve had great players over time that are going to become part of our history and we need to make sure, like we did with Derek, that they leave the game with the kind of respect that they’re entitled to” ("Baseball Tonight," ESPN, 7/12).
SHAKE YOUR GROOVE THING: In Boston, Nick Cafardo writes Ortiz and Marlins P Jose Fernandez "had a lot of fun in a third-inning at bat that proved to be Ortiz's final in an All-Star game." Fernandez prior to the game had indicated that he "would throw Ortiz three 90-miles-per-hour fastballs so he could hit one out in his finale." Fernandez "admitted he threw the first pitch so Ortiz could possibly hit it out, but then the competitive juices started to flow and Fernandez was throwing 95-97-m.p.h. fastballs as he normally does," and eventually walked him (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/13). In Miami, Andre Fernandez notes Fernandez "nearly hit Ortiz" with the last pitch of the at-bat. Ortiz "playfully opened his arms wide and pointed at him" as he went to first base as they "each shared a laugh from afar" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/13).
EARLY EXIT: ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick wrote under the header, "Pulling David Ortiz Early From All-Star Game Was A Major League Blunder." He wrote, "For fans who might have wanted one more swing or a smile to savor, the whole thing was way too brief and stage-managed for comfort" (ESPN.com, 7/12). In S.F., Bruce Jenkins writes Ortiz "was a centerpiece" of the game. But as a future HOFer in his last season, AL and Royals manager Ned Yost "gave him all of two plate appearances" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/13). In Boston, Steve Buckley writes under the header, "David Ortiz Lovefest Ends Way Too Soon." It was "nice to see" young MLBers "congratulating the man of the hour." But the problem was that Ortiz "was out of the game in about 35 minutes" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/13). ESPN.com's David Schoenfield asked, "Why did Ortiz's night end before the shadows covered the infield?" (ESPN.com, 7/12).
CROWN ROYAL: SI.com's Cliff Corcoran notes the Royals "had just three All-Stars this year" in 1B Eric Hosmer, C Salvador Perez and P Kelvin Herrera, but they "dominated the game with each All-Star playing a key role" in the AL's victory. Both Hosmer and Perez homered, and Hosmer was named the game's MVP (SI.com, 7/13). In K.C., Rustin Dodd writes "everywhere you looked, a Royals All-Star was doing something." Eight months after winning the '15 World Series, they used the All-Star Game "as a national encore" (K.C. STAR, 7/13). ESPN.com's Jayson Stark noted the game turned into "magical All-Star" evenings for Hosmer and Perez (ESPN.com, 7/13). In St. Louis, Rick Hummel writes under the header, "National League Is Royally Defeated In All-Star Game" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/13).
THE HOST WITH THE MOST: Yost said the city of San Diego “has been phenomenal” as host of the event. He said “This is one of the funnest cities to come to in all of baseball, and the stadium’s gorgeous and the weather’s gorgeous. It’s just a fantastic place to play” (“2016 MLB All-Star Game,” Fox, 7/12). Fox' Frank Thomas said, "This is the perfect weather, perfect atmosphere for an All-Star Game -- 72 degrees at 4:00 in the afternoon. The convenience of the convention centers, the hotels, the All-Star festivities -- this is a perfect place for the All-Star Game. If it was up to me, I'm bringing it back here every year” (“MLB on FS1 Pregame,” FS1, 7/12).
CHANGE NEEDED: In N.Y., Joel Sherman writes this is the 14th ASG that has "determined World Series home field," and it "really needs to be the last." The idea was to "put significance on the game, elevate the passion of those playing and lift TV ratings." Sherman: "But, at this point, is one extra person tuning in for this reason? If not, why is something as precious as home field being determined in this fashion?" (N.Y. POST, 7/13). In DC, Barry Svrluga writes the "least important game of this whole summer will have a direct impact on the most important game of the year" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/13). In California, Jim Alexander writes under the header, "All-Star Game Memories Are What Matter, So Stop Letting Exhibition Result Decide Home-Field Advantage" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/13). Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Gene Collier offers several ways to enhance the All-Star Game, including enforcing an "extreme version of the pace-of-play guidelines" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/13).
