Starting Jeter Was a Case of American Ingenuity

Many felt Boston’s Nomar Garciaparra--batting a league-leading .389--not New York’s Derek Jeter, should have started at shortstop when Seattle’s Alex Rodriguez was forced out because of a concussion.

But AL Manager Joe Torre reasoned that since Garciaparra started last season at Fenway Park he would give Jeter the chance this time.

Jeter responded with a three-for-three performance, including a double, two runs batted in and a run off pitchers Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown and Al Leiter to earn game MVP honors.

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Highlight Reel: Texas’ Ivan Rodriguez showed his defensive prowess in the sixth inning. Rodriguez played a Barry Larkin foul popup perfectly, snatching the ball out of the front row where it was about to land between former President Jimmy Carter and Time Warner Inc. Chairman Gerald Levin.

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Winning Number: Forty-five. The number of tickets Detroit reliever Todd Jones purchased for family and friends attending the game from his nearby hometown of Marietta, Ga. To their delight, Jones pitched a perfect seventh inning.

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Wrong Number: Seven. The number of runners the AL left in scoring position, including three by Oakland’s Jason Giambi.

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Not in the Box Score: Boomer at the bat? Fans would have been treated to the sight if Cleveland’s Travis Fryman had managed to reach base in the second inning. With two out and Toronto’s David Wells--who regards Babe Ruth as his idol--on deck, Fryman struck out swinging.

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First-Timers: Minnesota’s Matt Lawton sparked the three-run ninth-inning rally that gave the AL breathing room, getting the third of three consecutive singles off Trevor Hoffman.

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Old Hands: Cleveland’s Roberto Alomar, an 11-time all-star with four different teams, was an uneventful 0 for 2 with a walk. Garciaparra, a three-time all-star (which qualifies him as a veteran of this game since 19 of his teammates have made two or fewer all-star appearances), made two errors and was one for two with a run.

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Quotebook: “After the second inning, I felt a wet kiss on my cheek. It was Wells saying goodbye and thanking me for the opportunity to pitch.”

--Torre, on his former Yankee pitcher.