All-Star Notebook

Offensive records fall in Denver's thin air

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Posted: Monday July 13, 1998 06:16 PM

Wearing out the basepaths: Griffey had two of the American League's record-tying 19 hits (AP)

DENVER (CNN/SI) - Everybody expected offensive records to fall during the All-Star Game at hitter-friendly Coors Field. And, even though it took a while, by the time the American League outlasted the National League 13-8 Tuesday night, everybody was right.

The combined 21 runs eclipsed the record 20 in 1954 when the AL won 11-9 in Cleveland. The AL's 13 runs and 19 hits tied team records and the combined 31 hits also tied a record.

It was the longest nine-inning game in All-Star history at 3 hours, 38 minutes, eclipsing the 3:10 in 1954.

The five stolen bases by the AL set another record, and Ivan Rodriguez became the first catcher in All-Star history to get three hits in the game. All of his hits were singles, tying the record for singles in an All-Star game.

Baltimore's Cal Ripken made his 15th consecutive All-Star start, topping Willie Mays' mark of 14.

Atlanta shortstop Walt Weiss became the oldest position player to make his All-Star debut as a starter (34 years, 7 months).

Craig Biggio struck out three times, tying another All-Star mark.

The crowd of 51,267 was the largest in the four-year history of Coors Field.

Beanie Baby business brisk

Inside and outside the gates, there was a brisk business in Beanie Babies.

Each fan received a limited edition Beanie Baby named "Glory," a red, white and blue creation from the Ty Collection.

There was heavy security around the boxes containing the Beanie Babies, and security guards reported seeing the toys being sold for upwards of $100 apiece.

One fan carried a cardboard sign reading "I need tickets" on one side and "Will buy Beanie Babies" on the other.

Sign here, Junior

The day after winning the Home Run Derby, Ken Griffey Jr. sat at his locker in a T-shirt featuring a large bulls-eye. It read, "Hit It Here Junior."

"I'm tired," Griffey said. But his fatigue didn't stem from the derby that took more than two hours to complete.

He had writer's cramp.

Shaw faced five batters and allowed three hits and one run (AP)

Griffey, by his estimation, signed more than 600 baseballs Tuesday as part of the All-Star routine.

"Let's see you go sign all the balls down there," Griffey said. Griffey's initial reluctance to competing in Monday night's Home Run Derby stemmed from how tired he might be because the Mariners travel more than any team in the majors.

Asked if he would like to see the derby shortened, Griffey said he didn't care. "It's up to whoever," Griffey said. "I just went out there and did the best I could."

Vizquel a class act

Cleveland shortstop Omar Vizquel showed he's an All-Star off the field, too.

On his flight to Denver for his first All-Star appearance, Vizquel gave up his seat in first class to a local 15-year-old girl who had hurt her knee while playing in a softball tournament in Kansas City.

Stretched ligaments in her knee had forced Rachel Dando to wear a large brace during the trip home, and because of discomfort, she had to stand in the plane's aisle in coach.

That's when Vizquel came to her rescue.

"There was a girl with a brace on her knee," he said. "She was sitting way in back and it was hard for her to move around. She looked uncomfortable. I know the pain. I know how it feels. I had a first-class seat and I asked her if she wanted to sit there. She seemed to enjoy that."

Night of milestones for Shaw

Traded from Cincinnati to Los Angeles just before the All-Star break, closer Jeff Shaw didn't have a Dodgers uniform when he arrived here Monday.

On Tuesday, his locker was brimming, thanks to an overnight courier delivery.

"Everything is here -- shirts, pants, shoes," Shaw said. "This is as strange as it gets. I get here with no jersey, no pants or shoes. I had to borrow shoes from Kevin Brown and a belt from the Rockies."

Shaw became the first All-Star to pitch on his birthday -- his 32nd -- and it was also his first game in a Dodgers uniform.

What's next for Piazza?

New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza, who played for three teams in a span of one week, on Tuesday deflected questions about what team he might be playing for next season.

"I won't worry about that now," said Piazza, who will be a free agent after the season. "I'm totally indifferent and don't want to deal with it. Everything will be taken care of. I enjoy playing here [in Denver], but that isn't an issue right now. I have to contribute to what we are trying to do with the Mets."

Asked about the return of Mets catcher Todd Hundley from an injury, Piazza said, "He's a catcher, I'm a catcher. I'll do whatever I am asked to do. Having Todd back can't hurt our club. He's a good hitter."

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.