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Notebook All-Star Game quite a boon for the BoonesPosted: Tuesday July 15, 2003 8:57 PMUpdated: Wednesday July 16, 2003 4:52 AM
CHICAGO (AP) -- The All-Star Game doubled as a family reunion for the Boone family. Seattle Mariners second baseman Bret Boone and younger brother Aaron, the third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, were both chosen for the All-Star Game this year. So the rest of the family came along for the show. There are grandparents here, parents, aunts and uncles, cousins and children -- not to mention various friends. "Having played in one and having experienced all the things that happened, I'm excited for them to experience the same thing," said Bob Boone, Bret and Aaron's father, and the manager of the Reds. "And I get to watch." Aaron and Bret Boone are the 14th set of brothers to become All-Stars, and their family is the first to send three generations to the midsummer classic. Bob Boone made four All-Star teams, and his father, Ray, was a two-time All-Star. Bob and Ray wandered around the field during batting practice before Tuesday night's game, and the three generations got together for a family photo before the game. "Oh, man," Ray said, a big grin crossing his face. "Anybody that's not proud in this situation, there's something wrong with them," Ray said, a big grin crossing his face." Asked who he'd be rooting for, Ray Boone said he just wanted both sons to get a hit.
Almost AndruwAndruw Jones did his part and might have been the MVP on Tuesday night had the NL held on to win the All-Star Game. Brought in to pinch-hit for Jim Edmonds in the fifth inning, Jones hit a two-run double as the NL jumped out to a 5-1 lead. He added a solo homer in his next at-bat, increasing the NL's lead to 6-3. "I said, 'Right now, you're the MVP,'" Atlanta teammate Rafael Furcal said. But the AL rallied, scoring four runs off Billy Wagner and Eric Gagne to win 7-6. Standing in the on-deck circle, Jones looked as if he might have one last chance in the ninth, when Furcal hit a drive that carried all the way to the wall. But it was caught for the last out. "I wanted to get up there," Jones said. "I just wanted to get a shot in the ninth inning and try to help the National League."
Old stomping groundsKeith Foulke felt right at home. The Oakland Athletics closer, who spent 4 1/2 seasons with the White Sox, earned the save in his old ballpark Tuesday night. He pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning as the American League won the All-Star Game 7-6. "It was a lot of fun," Foulke said. "It wasn't like the regular fans were out there, but it's good to see a lot of the same people out there. It just put a smile on my face coming back here." Foulke is third on Chicago's career saves list, but the White Sox traded him to Oakland in the offseason for Billy Koch. The A's have gotten the better of the deal so far. Foulke is tied for second in the AL with 24 saves, while Koch has only 11 and has lost his closer's job to Tom Gordon.
Rocket's recordRoger Clemens got a lovely parting gift in his last All-Star Game. The future Hall of Famer matched the All-Star Game record by making his eighth appearance Tuesday night. Jim Bunning, Don Drysdale, Juan Marichal and Tom Seaver also pitched in eight All-Star Games. Clemens pitched the third inning, striking out Jose Vidro and Edgar Renteria and retiring Javy Lopez on a grounder. He threw 15 pitches, 10 for strikes. Clemens, who got his 300th victory last month, has said he is retiring after this season, his 20th in the majors. He didn't make the original All-Star team, only being added to the roster Monday after the Oakland Athletics asked the commissioner's office to replace Barry Zito. He got a loud ovation when he was introduced before the game, and more cheers when he trotted in from the bullpen.
Welcome, RickeyPaul Lo Duca can't wait to welcome Rickey Henderson to Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their offense Monday by signing Henderson, the all-time steals leader and one of the greatest leadoff hitters ever. "I think it's a great move," Lo Duca said before Tuesday night's All-Star Game. "Rickey's crossed home plate more than anybody in history, so he's been doing something right." The Dodgers also traded for Jeromy Burnitz on Monday, a sign they're serious about making a run at the playoffs in the second half. At 49-44, Los Angeles is 7 1/2 games behind San Francisco in the NL West. "I think it's a good sign," Lo Duca said. "We've obviously had some injuries. Our pitching staff is the best in baseball, so if we score runs, we're going to win. So I think these are two great additions."
Unfriendly confinesWhite Sox manager Jerry Manuel drew some boos when he was introduced before the game as part of the American League staff. White Sox fans are unhappy with their team, which is seven games back in the AL Central after beginning the season as a favorite. And after taking nine of 12 from the crosstown Cubs and the Minnesota Twins, the White Sox lost seven of 10 to Detroit, Tampa Bay and Cleveland. "Jerry's got nothing to do with that, because we didn't perform well in the first half," White Sox outfielder Magglio Ordonez said after the All-Star Game. "We don't perform well, we don't play well, and they're blaming him." But if it's any consolation, Manuel wasn't booed nearly as loudly as the Cubs' Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Even Dusty Baker, this year's NL manager, got booed. "The fans in Chicago are really tough," Ordonez said. "We're not playing the Cubs right now. It's an All-Star Game, they shouldn't boo anybody."
Around the hornThe five home runs Tuesday night were the most in the All-Star Game since 1981 when there also five, including two by Gary Carter, who is headed to the Hall of Fame this summer and was an honorary NL captain Tuesday night. ... By rallying from four runs down to win, the AL had the biggest comeback win since 1955. In that year, the AL built a 5-0 lead after six innings before the NL rallied for a 6-5 win at Milwaukee. ... The AL has won six straight dating to 1996, not counting last year's tie at Miller Park.
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