By BRIAN COSTELLO
Last updated: 12:35 pm
July 16, 2008
Posted: 3:42 am
July 16, 2008
By the end of last night's All-Star Game it was nearly impossible to remember - but Derek Jeter, fittingly, got the first hit of the night.
The Yankees captain got a single in the first inning off Milwaukee's Ben Sheets. The ball was a flare toward second base that Phillies second baseman Chase Utley knocked down but could not field cleanly.
Four hours and 50 minutes later the game ended in the 15th inning with a 4-3 AL win.
"It seemed like the Stadium didn't want it to end," Jeter said.
After his hit, Jeter then showed off his 34-year-old wheels by stealing second base. He finished the night 1-for-3, exiting the game in the sixth inning when Texas' Michael Young took his spot.
Jeter had a few chances to come through with men on base but failed. He grounded into a double play in the third inning and bounced to the pitcher in fifth inning with runners on first and second.
Even though he exited the game early, Jeter stayed to watch the entire marathon game after many of his teammates departed The Stadium.
As expected, Jeter was greeted with one of the loudest ovations of the night, exceeded only by Mariano Rivera's.
He was one of the catchers for the ceremonial first pitch, receiving the pitch from Hall of Famer Whitey Ford.
Cal Ripken Jr. and Ozzie Smith greeted Jeter during pregame introductions at shortstop.
"It was fun, a lot of fun," Jeter said. "It's not too often that you see that many Hall of Fame players on the same field at the same time. That's what I'm going to take from this whole All-Star experience at Yankee Stadium."
Jeter called the ovation for owner George Steinbrenner, "well-deserved."
Jeter's teammate, Alex Rodriguez, was clearly moved by the pregame ceremony with the Hall of Famers and Steinbrenner.
"That was a special moment," A-Rod said. "This is my 12th year and by far this is the greatest show I've ever seen for an All-Star Game. New York knows how to do it best."
