Griffey, McGwire are the show Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday July 13, 1999 10:21 AM BOSTON -- Nobody really knew whether Ken Griffey Jr. and Mark McGwire would appear. There were rumors earlier in the day: Junior's bruised knee was too sore; McGwire had other things to do. As the hour of 8 p.m. approached, it seemed to be an accepted fact: This year's All-Star Home Run Derby would be forever remembered as Clash of the Titans: John Jaha vs. Jeromy Burnitz. Then, Fenway began to buzz ... From the St. Louis Cardinals ... And scream ... Number 25 ... And roar ... Mark ... And stomp ... McGwiiiiiire!!!!!! And stomp ... From the Seattle Mariners .... And roar ... Number 24 ... And scream ... Ken ... And buzz ... Griffey ... And buzz some more ... Junior .... It was one of the fantastic baseball moments of my 27 years -- not a man bashing a 500-foot rocket or hitting 98 on the radar. Simple theater. An historic stage. A pair of gladiators. The Colosseum. Griffey and McGwire, the game's two ruling entities, hugging each other at home plate, swinging imaginary bats for effect. Maybe neither one really wanted to be there. Earlier in the day, Griffey answered All-Star questions with all the emotion of a turtle dove. McGwire, the chipper good ol' boy of a season ago, has been mostly cold through '99. No matter: This night they were pacing pack and forth, smiling, Griffey with his hat on backwards, McGwire and Sammy Sosa sitting cross-legged on the grass, two pals who could've been 10 and 15, not 30 and 35. Griffey vs. McGwire. Good vs. Good. The event did not live up to the opening credits. Events rarely do. McGwire crushed 13 home runs, one of which hit the lights way above left field, in the opening round. Griffey, the eventual champ, ran off six or seven straight en route to 10 in the second round. But between the commercial breaks following each batter, the utterly unbearable Stuart Scott giving on-air, post-interview fist shakes to the participants (Memo to Mr. Scott: Your name is Stuart. You're supposed to be a journalist. You're not down. You never were down. You never will be down. Stop it. Word.), Jaha's batting-practice pitcher throwing every which way but straight and a live performance by Smash Mouth, the band that should disband, Home Run Derby '99 seemed much like the NBA's now-dead Slam Dunk Contest: Ultra-hype, mini-substance. Still, sports is as much bits and pieces as it is whole events. I will remember Griffey and McGwire, the surprise co-stars of the show. I will remember it well. Come back Wednesday for another All-Star Game column from SI staff writer Jeff Pearlman, who also offers his unique view on baseball every Tuesday during the season for CNNSI.com. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.   Related information Stories Griffey repeats as champ, Big Mac conquers Monster Monday's Out in Left Field: No bull: Costner can't hit Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.

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