Shortstop Derek Jeter completed a storybook ending to his All-Star career by helping the American League to a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the National League in Minneapolis.
Jeter, playing in his last Midsummer Classic in the 20th and final season of his major-laegue career, went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles and soaked up the appreciation from his fellow All-Stars and the fans at Target Field.
While Jeter received the cheers, American League outfielder Mike Trout got the hardware and was named MVP after going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
"I'm speechless right now," the 22-year-old Trout told reporters, after accepting the award and being honoured on the same night as one of his idols.
"Growing up and (Jeter) being my role model, it's pretty special."
Derek Jeter now has the 2nd-highest batting average in All-Star Game history (.481) Charlie Gehringer ranks 1st at .500 (Min. 15 PA)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 16, 2014
Los Angeles outfielder Trout broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI double in the fifth and also brought Jeter home with a triple in his team's three-run first inning.
Slugger Miguel Cabrera blasted a two-run homer off National League starter Adam Wainwright to help the AL to a 3-0 lead in the first.
The NL All-Stars battled back with a pair of runs in the second inning with Chase Utley and catcher Jonathan Lucroy delivered RBI doubles.
SCHERZER'S WIN
Lucroy added another run-scoring double in the fourth to temporarily even up the score before Trout's decisive contribution in the fifth. The National League could not produce runs in the latter innings despite two hits from Aramis Ramirez.
AL pitcher Max Scherzer worked the fifth inning to earn the win, while Glen Perkins earned the save in the ninth.
“He just wanted to thank us. You know, we should be thanking him.” – @Trouty20 on Derek Jeter’s pregame speech. pic.twitter.com/FFUun3TUJ2 — MLB (@MLB) July 16, 2014
However, it was Jeter's night and when he left the game in the fourth inning, the 40-year-old received a three-minute ovation and a hug from each of his AL teammates.
"To get that appreciation means a lot. I was not expecting that, it was a class act," Jeter said.
Jeter is the oldest player to record two hits in an All-Star Game.
Second baseman Robinson Cano, who played nine seasons with Jeter in New York before joining Seattle this campaign, rejoined his former Yankees infield teammate during his All-Star sendoff.
"I've seen him do that 3,000 times," Cano said of Jeter's two hits to right-field.
"(When he left the game) I was thinking that is one of the last times I'll watch him walk off the field. He's amazing."
With the win, the American League earns home-field advantage for the World Series.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
