PITTSBURGH – When Ozzie Guillen was given the opportunity to add players to the American League All-Star roster, his first pick was Texas infielder Michael Young.
“I told him that when we played Texas earlier, and he wasn't doing very well in the voting,” said the manager of the World Series champion Chicago White Sox.
“I think Young is one of the most underrated players in the American League. No one talks about this kid, and he's one of the best players in baseball right now.”
People will be talking about Young today after his winning, two-run triple off Trevor Hoffman with two out in the ninth inning last night. Young was named the MVP of the 77th All-Star Game for that hit.
“What's strange is that when Hoffman went so quick through the first two batters in the ninth, I forgot all about Young or anyone else,” said Guillen. “I was saying, 'Why me? Why do I have to lose this game after other American League managers have won so many?' ”
Clemente honored
The game was stopped before the top of the fifth and the late Roberto Clemente was honored with the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award.
The Pirates great died on Dec. 31, 1972, in the crash of a plane he chartered to ferry relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Earlier that year, Clemente had gotten the 3,000th hit of his career in his final game.
Accepting the award in memory of the Hall of Famer was Clemente's widow, Vera.
In the American League dugout, Guillen could be seen wiping away tears.
“Roberto was a Latino who opened doors for the rest of the people,” said Guillen.
“A lot of people remember Roberto for the way he died. A lot of people remember him for the way he played the game. I think what Roberto gave of all his life, day-in, day-out. That's the way people should be taking steps in life, just not baseball.”
What stop sign?
Alfonso Soriano might have broken up a potentially bigger rally for the National League in the third inning.
With one out, the Washington Nationals leadoff man singled and stole second. Carlos Beltran followed with a line-drive single to center that was scooped up so quickly by Vernon Wells that NL third base coach Jerry Narron put up the stop sign for Soriano.
Evidently, Soriano didn't see Narron. Soriano kept coming and was out easily at the plate. Beltran scored on a wild pitch to give the NL its 2-1 lead.
99-mph Penny
National League starter Brad Penny came out smoking.
The Dodgers right-hander was clocked at 99 mph three times during a perfect, 21-pitch first inning that saw him strike out Ichiro Suzuki, Derek Jeter and David Ortiz.
Penny was still firing in the second inning when the Angels' Vladimir Guerrero connected with a 98-mph fastball, sending it 356 feet to the opposite field for a homer and the game's first run.
Zambrano hurt
Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano was accidentally hit above the right elbow with a fungo bat by White Sox coach Joey Cora during pregame practice. Pirates medical staff examined Zambrano and termed the injury an “elbow tendon contusion.” X-rays were negative.
News services contributed to this report.
Bill Center: (619) 293-1851; bill.center@uniontrib.com
