Yankee Stadium will host Major League Baseball's All-Star Game on Tuesday. (Associated Press)Baseball's biggest stars will gather at Yankee Stadium for the 79th all-star game Tuesday night, many of them to say their final goodbye to the game's most famous ballpark.
"The house that Ruth built" will be demolished in 2009 when the Yankees move to their new stadium across the street in the Bronx, which means Tuesday's mid-summer classic could be the last marquee game to be played at the famous stadium — provided the Yankees don't make the playoffs.
Yankee Stadium hosted all-star games in 1939, 1960 and 1977, but this one is special, because it will be the last to take place in the 85-year-old monument to baseball history.
"It is a museum. It's a baseball museum," said Clint Hurdle, who will manage the National League team.
"They're dripping with the historic ambiance of the game — the individuals that have played the game, the world [championships] that have been won there, the monuments in the outfield. I mean, the Pope. Correct me if I'm wrong, didn't he speak at Yankee Stadium? It is a venue that holds its own amongst all venues."
Final all-star game 'very special,' says Lee
Cleveland Indians hurler Cliff Lee will take to the mound for the American League.
"Being at the final all-star game at Yankee Stadium is going to be very special," said Lee. "Everyone knows the heritage there, and to be part of it is something I'm really looking to experience. It is going to be a crazy time."
Lee, 30, has rebounded from a disappointing 2007 season, with a 12-2 record and 2.31 earned-run average so far this season.
In his first ever visit to Yankee Stadium, Milwaukee Brewers starter Ben Sheets will get the call for the National League. Sheets will be making his fourth all-star appearance but first as a starter.
Sheets is 10-3 this season with a 2.85 ERA. The big right-hander has 108 strikeouts against just 28 walks in 123 innings.
"I've never been to Yankee Stadium, so I'm going to try to take it all in and just enjoy myself," Sheets said.
The game will also have a distinctive Canadian flavour.
Pitcher Roy Halladay, the lone representative for the Toronto Blue Jays, is expected to see some action, and the game features three Canadian players: Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau (from New Westminster, B.C.), Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster (from Gibsons, B.C.) and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin (from Chelsea, Que.).
"The Canadians, we're taking over," joked Martin. "You better watch out."
The American League All-Stars have the past 10 wins, with the 2002 game declared a tie.
The starting lineups were also announced on Monday. With the game taking place in an AL park, each side will employ a designated hitter.
American League batting order:
- Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Seattle Mariners
- Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees
- Josh Hamilton, CF, Texas Rangers
- Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees
- Manny Ramirez, LF, Boston Red Sox
- Milton Bradley, DH, Texas
- Kevin Youkilis, 1B, Boston
- Joe Mauer, C, Minnesota Twins
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston
National League batting order:
- Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
- Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
- Lance Berkman, 1B, Houston Astros
- Albert Pujols, DH, St. Louis Cardinals
- Chipper Jones, 3B, Atlanta Braves
- Matt Holliday, RF, Colorado Rockies
- Ryan Braun, LF, Milwaukee Brewers
- Kosuke Fukodome, CF, Chicago Cubs
- Geovany Soto, C, Chicago
