7/10/01: 2001 All-Star Game @ Safeco Field, Seattle

National League 1 at American League 4, F -- There was magic in the crisp Seattle air at 2001 Midsummer Classic, as Cal Ripken prepared for his 19th and final All-Star Game. Everyone in attendance at Safeco Field (and watching at home) knew history was in the making. As the teams took the field, starting shortstop Alex Rodriguez very publicly gestured to Ripken to move over to his original position at short, motioning that he, Alex, would play third base (foreshadowing his switch with the Yankees some years later). As the crowd cheered them on, Cal, slightly embarrassed, agreed to the switch. In the third inning, as Ripken strode to the plate to the theme from "The Natural," the fans gave Cal one of the longest standing ovations ever. Minutes later, post-ovation, Cal stepped into the batters box swung at the first pitch from Chan Ho Park amid a sea of flashbulbs, and it sailed over the left field wall. Another heartfelt tribute from the fans ushered him around the bases. Prior to the sixth inning, Commissioner Bud Selig presented Ripken and Tony Gwynn, who was also retiring after the season, with the Commissioners' Historic Achievement Award. The award, which was created in 1998, is presented at the commissioner's discretion to any player whose body of work is in itself historical or any player who sets a record of historical significance. Cal put the final touches on his last All-Star game by holding the MVP trophy aloft. A fitting ending indeed.

[@sbc8861]

In 2001... *The Seattle Mariners won 116 games, tying a major league record for regular season wins -- even after losing Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., and A-Rod the previous three seasons *Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs and won his record fourth MVP award *Roger Clemens won 20 games for the last time in his career and the Cy Young award for the fifth time, becoming the first player to win Cy Young awards for three different teams *Ichiro Suzuki set a record for most regular season hits by a rookie *Albert Pujols played his first season in MLB *John Smoltz returned from shoulder surgery and pitched relief for the first time in his MLB career, eventually becoming the closer for the Atlanta Braves *Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr., Paul O'Neill, and Mark McGwire played the final seasons of their careers *Sammy Sosa hit 60+ HR in a season for the third time in four years *9/11 put the regular season on hold for a week *The New York Yankees won the ALCS for the fourth consecutive year *Pedro Martinez was on pace for his third consecutive historically dominant season (7-1 with a 1.44 ERA through 11 starts) before injuring his shoulder for a third consecutive season *The Arizona Diamondbacks went to and won the World Series for the first and only time

[@singingindark12]

And the first November Postseason series.. Surely it was one of the most dramatic and interesting years of MLB. ^^ Pujols and Ichiro as two of the best MLB legends became the rookie of the year for each league that year.. Thats insane.. ^^

[@DASCO2136]

You’re forgetting one highlight. On August 5, the Cleveland Indians were down 14-2 in the 7th inning against the Mariners. They came back and scored 12 runs over 3 innings to force extras and won 15-14. That game easily denied Seattle from 117 wins

[@jorgeguerra5641]

what a great time in baseball,great great players

[@user-tk1uf7qg5e]

イチローはやっぱりすごい。 Ichiro is the greatest Japanese baseball player!!

[@xanderraymondcharles]

Right before 9/11. I remember watching this as a 9 year old kid with my dad. Simpler times...

[@danishbrothal]

Wow I miss these days. Great lineups on both sides.

[@drmeithos]

i wonder why, lol. (It rhymes with Larroids)

[@InfinteIdeas]

drmeithos Maybe he was referring to Ripken and Gywnn and Griffey, Legends of the game

[@drmeithos]

or bonds, palmiero, giambi, boone, a-rod, sosa, mcguire.... the legends of the game

[@verde3933]

drmeithos And all juicers

[@nestormedina529]

Same here bro, I miss those days (I was 11 at the time).

[@NC-ek7ec]

R.I.P. Tony Gwynn :) Beautiful comments about Berkman around the 1:30:00 mark. This was the first all-star game I ever watched

[@futuregohan4837]

Tony Gwynn Is As Consistent And Reliable Hitter You'll Ever Find

[@lonewolfx499]

In terms of the starters, it seems that 2001's All-Stars were the best.

[@enigmathegrayman2953]

Take me back to 2001! It was a MUCH different world.

[@jackgrimaldi8685]

Well, the first 3/4 at least. After that, the world has not been the same at all.

[@nestormedina529]

Ryan Klesko & Phil Nevin of the San Diego Padres (along with Tony Gwynn), the Rockstars of the San Diego durin' their Padre days🎸😎.

[@Cancel1991]

They said Gwynn was an "honorary all-star", but he still hit .324 with a .384 OBP and .461 SLG that year. Pretty dang solid for a 20-year vet.

[@CIFD8Champs16]

Easily one of the best hitters of all time

[@IPANoah]

I was a junior in HS. One of the great all-star games. So many iconic names of course- Cal Ripken hitting a dinger.

[@NevadaLamb]

Just finished (re)watching the 1999 ASG and now watching this one, which stands out to me so much. I grew up in Seattle. It’s hard to believe this was 21 years ago. When I hear these names it’s like no time passed. Such nostalgia.

[@samuelgalarza133]

ripken we miss youuu my man great player orioles my favor player iron man yesss

[@DustinPlatt]

Chan Ho Park, what a nice guy.

[@angerysig1]

The night before Troy Glaus hit zero home runs in the derby. So while I don't believe Chan Ho Park intentionally threw him a duck, even if he did, its simply not that easy.

[@s.tavares3257]

Dustin P. Lol..I still remember when he karate kicked an Angels pitcher..lmao

[@bobheck7303]

It's way worse than the Black Sox. Thumbs down!

[@MichaelWilliams-cd9if]

27:18 Ichiro has to be one of the quickest players to first base in MLB history.

[@stevenkramer4762]

+Kato Robinson Ichiro and Mickey Mantle from the left side....

[@StFidjnr]

+Kato Robinson the fastest wheels in the bigs

[@futuregohan4837]

Yet Ichiro Wasn't Even Introduced In The Introduction

[@bobheck7303]

The swing he had gave him a running start. Loved him!

[@one7deep7savage7]

@@futuregohan4837 he was the first starter they announced...you must have missed it

[@hochiify]

conglalurations cal ripken jr. rip tony gwynn.

[@hikaru0525]

Both sides lineups are all insane 😮

[@Pleasure2000]

10:18 Ichiro "hey! Bobby we're gonna kick your ass" Valentine "that's really good that's the English" A sequel to Valentine

[@robbase5235]

@MANCHESTER UNITED Man, soccer sucks as a sport. I'm glad it's an irrelevant sport in this country.

[@scottmartin8888]

@MANCHESTER UNITED wouldn't that mean soccer fits more people? Everyone has a sport they're best at or good at. Baseball is not every countries thing.

[@walterlv01]

The last All-Star Game played in the afternoon was in 1969 and it is doubtful there will ever be another one, but because of the late summer sunsets in Seattle this is the only ASG since then to end while it was still daylight outside.

[@rentslave]

The 69' game was played in the afternoon due to a rainout.

[@ericradford2142]

Seattle was just awarded the 2023 MLB All Star Game.

[@mattdorsey7395]

WHAT A HISTORIC AT BAT WE WITNESSED IN THE 1ST INNING! The pitcher with the most Cy Young Awards in history (7) faced the batter with the most MVP's in history (7) who also happens to be the home run king! And in 2001, Bonds set the MLB single season home run record with 73! While Clemens became the 1st pitcher in MLB history that season to start a season 20-1! THIS. WAS. HISTORIC!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bobheck7303]

And did the most drugs!

[@SerenityNow9015]

Imagine if the ‘01 Mariners still had A-Rod, Jr. and Randy Johnson + Ichiro.

[@soukikismet2485]

We only would have lost to the yankees in seven

[@robertjohnson9756]

And ken griffey jr

[@jwill55kings]

This was the first MLB all star game I remember watching as a kid

[@williamgeorge5868]

This was my favorite all star game, go mariners!

[@papagrantits]

I'm not sure there's a single player in the league today quite like Cal. He was universally loved across the league by players and fans alike. I'm not sure that player exists in this day and age.

[@brandonjones9998]

Cal Ripken Jr was my favorite baseball player growing up next to Chipper Jones. Every day I would not watch anyone else except the Braves and Orioles because of those two and still to this very day I remain a proud fan of both teams.

[@coldkid6]

Man I miss this 8 all stars! 4 in starting lineup! Those wee the days

[@Batman1989King]

24:35 Second matchup between Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens They previously faced each other 3 years ago in the 1998 All-Star Game when Clemens was with Toronto. Bonds filed out to left field in that at bat against Clemens.

[@RainNBlood]

I've always been an Oriole fan, but I have to believe that pitch to Ripken was served up.

[@ethanniedorowski116]

They had park in 2nd for a reason... he wanted to. It's a respect thing.. Am I love it... 20 years later I'm watching just because of this... Loved the dodgers back then an park was always my dude after this Even Texas park.. couldn't get anyone else but class act... Love how they put 92 on gun

[@ThatBoyMarcus]

Its unbelievable how many hall of famers are in this all star game

[@Mastermillman]

Still have the all the M's All-stars poster from that season.

[@user-hf6tx7wb1d]

Ichiro！

[@user-he2nv1mg8y]

乃木坂ちゃん ここにも乃木ヲタいて草

[@coldkid6]

No Yankees in the starting lineup! 4 mariners! Man I miss this

[@TheBennyBaboon]

This was the first All-Star Game that I actually got to watch from start to end and I remember as Cal stepped to the plate in the 3rd Inning and I said to myself, "It would be so cool if he hits a homerun right now", and sure enough he did. Cal was a class act and I am so glad that I was able to see his final All-Star Game Appearance. It's memories like this that make this game so special to me.

[@abon587]

I remember watching with my dad (we're Orioles fans) and him going "Storybook, storybook, storybook" after he hit that.

[@Reckno64]

July 2001 was very chilly in Seattle, but it looks like July 10th turned out to be a nice day for weather.

[@12thman75]

RIP Kirby and Tony.

[@christianlorre]

It was Seattle's finest year - a super powerful team and hosting the All Star game in their only 2 years old stadium. Great until you reach the playoffs...

[@one7deep7savage7]

Best AS game ever

[@jacobrichardson1952]

I remember this all star game yo

[@zitofan4life]

Even at an All Star game, any team with Chipper Jones hitting 7th is insane 😂

[@DojKim]

Chan Ho- 2.8 ERA with 8Wins 5 Loses, Burkett - 2.49ERA with 6 wins 6 loses.. boy baseball was different back then

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

In the PEDs time for a starting pitcher to have ERA two something was a major accomplishment.

[@yuk4429]

our childhood...

[@daltonbanks2627]

Back when baseball was REAL baseball

[@miguelsandoval1985]

Cal's All Star Farewell Home Run. 48:40 Tommy Lasorda's Funniest Moment. 1:37:57

[@williamdiemert9866]

Tommy Lasorda and Tony Gwynn R.I.P

[@butoh_murder]

Ichiro #51!

[@lilgiancarlostanton1811]

Ichiro Suzuki Play For Japanese Baseball Mariners Yankees And Marlins

[@BKrystall]

Ichiro Suzuki and Albert Pujols are first time all stars and Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn in their final all star game.

[@kulba21]

Good old Bret Boone and the frosted tips!

[@TheFreedomfighter45]

My friends and i wanted to watch this game but did not have a tv. . so we drove around on trash day and found one at the curb. we watched that game . And Cal was up to bat. My friend said Cal is washed up. I said he will knock it out of the park, watch!!! And he did ! I will never forget that day .

[@nestormedina529]

Your friend must not've known anything about baseball 'til the 2001 ASG perhaps?

[@TheFreedomfighter45]

you are right . now i have to watch this again . thanks

[@bobheck7303]

Love stories like this! Wish I was there! Cool.

[@chizzledich]

Back when A-Rod wasn't the A-Rod he is now...

[@chizzledich]

him and Bonds...2 of the best players with or without juice..they just happened to be users...

[@jefflaumann5602]

Harry Engel well he did admit he did 2001-2003

[@avigdorbenhaim2551]

Hall of famer even without steroids just like bonds idk why they used just absurd they were elite without they didn’t need steroids

[@wrightcircle1694]

Randy pitching to A-Rod... w/ Ichiro at 1st...(29:30) All in Seattle. Go M's!

[@mrkhgn]

Wright Circle they both played for the M's and Yanks. Funny how things work out.

[@ManuelFlores-oe2wf]

All three played for the Ms and Yanks

[@irwankrisnawan905]

This is the class of titans

[@nickw22689]

This was such a wonderful season. 14 years of misery since then, but I wouldn't trade the '01 season for a thing.

[@futuregohan4837]

@2:05 What Makes It So Unique Is That Vladimir Guerrero Of The Montreal Expos Was In This Game

[@SFK360]

I would trade it for a World Series win. Winning 116 was a lot of fun but it was also an unbelieveable letdown.

[@kevinpope9898]

Now this is baseball

[@shermanngjazz]

That Mariners team was stacked! Too bad they couldn't make the ALCS a thrilling series.

[@sydneywebbe7737]

Missing baseball and my Boston Red Sox brought me here today 👍

[@panther62183]

Jesus!!! Louis gonzalez batting .355 35 hrs and 85 rbi at break!!! guys nowadays have those stas at the end of the season, pretty sad he ended the season with a .325 avg. 57 hrs and 142 rbis and came in 3rd place in mvp....crazy!!!

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

He won a WS though, while Bonds, A-Rod, Sosa, and many other juicers never won it!

[@steverodriguez8071]

Baseball at that time was more entertaining than today. 2014 was only relevant cause of Derek Jeter thats it.

[@dreadpirate.roberts]

What's it like to be that stupid?

[@steverodriguez8071]

+Derrick Roberts it's the truth

[@raulitoalvarez]

@48:43 the man 👨🏼 of thousands stances #8 Cal baby 👍🏽

[@promeitheus]

Jimmy Rollins was an AS game catalyst.

[@TheKrazyk2010]

The last time Alex Rodriguez played for the home team in Seattle

[@minstrel1184]

That pitch to Ripken was grooved. Granted, Chan Ho Park did that a lot in his career.

[@abon587]

Perhaps. Still got to hit it.

[@TomSpence526]

I love how they play the offspring at the beginning

[@zksskdhxh]

Chan Ho Park !

[@MattandJacque]

We probably would have gotten to the World Series with ARod. Actually, had Ichiro come a year earlier and been on that 2000 team. Money!

[@saevurr]

Ballpark announcer: "There has been a change on the field... Starting at shortstop for the American League. The great, Cal Ripken, Jr!" --- It still gets me every time I see this. 😂😂😂

[@animeplay218]

3 recta a manny y pa su casa ese randy era imparable

[@br971129]

im pretty sure a-rod was just referred to as a classy, classy man. no one will ever hear those words again...

[@minstrel1184]

I was just about to write the same thing or something very similar. Geez, Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, A-Rod, Manny...we had no idea. We were so happy in our ignorance. How many were already cheating by the time this game was played?

[@nestormedina529]

Dude he's still classy, not perfect. No one's perfect, quit bein' so quick to judge.

[@minstrel1184]

I'm a Yankee fan but I'm sorry, "class" and "cheater" do not go together.

[@nestormedina529]

So what if they cheated, it was still a great game. I'm sure you had no idea any one of these players were "juicing" if Canseco & everyone else would just have kept their f*ckin' mouths shut!

[@juliusrody9833]

especially in seattle

[@Chillionaire]

They had a camera in Japan damn.

[@MrShibamata]

9:57　イチローとバレンタインの会話気になる。。

[@userpro999]

イチロー「ぶっ潰してやる！」バレンタイン「本場の英語だな！」

[@user-iu6fv9uz5n]

kick your ass

[@MinecraftYoLife]

Lets go Mariners!

[@noahahlstrom3834]

Joe Torre interview. Luis Gonzalez gets a hit. Story of '01

[@elmakarov]

It's funny for me to see Vladimir Guerrero in an Expos Uniform, and just think that the great team he played for is no longer there... I'm a Cardinal fan, but I miss the Expos.

[@patrickperry8951]

The team is still technically around though. Besides Canada is known for Hockey

[@EchoesDistant]

Nothing against the Nats, but I miss the Expos too.

[@classic-kool]

Did Mike Piazza ever throw any base stealer out? He had the arm of an average high school catcher..😱😰😨

[@Chillionaire]

So cool when the players were announced and they had the baseball card graphics.

[@jorgeguerra5641]

Gwynn and Ripken both had beautiful careers and no steroids

[@LampwicksCigar]

We honestly don’t know that for sure

[@christian4u69]

@@LampwicksCigar Yes we do

[@futuregohan4837]

@5:24 Whoa Jason Was Still An Athletic Back Then

[@user-ly7zi6xk4g]

1:50

[@MinecraftYoLife]

Did they have the Final Vote back then?

[@brandonmorris92]

21:51 2001 World Series Teams

[@RyansColoradoRailProductions]

48:41 Ripken homers in his final ASG

[@user-ly7zi6xk4g]

chan-ho park!!!!!

[@xXCODxUploadsXx]

Basically, instead of NL vs AL, it was steroids vs Mariners

[@j.l.3685]

A Mike Vick supporter that probably never even watched baseball 😂. Good try man

[@scotthitman1]

Sounds like mean gene okerlund announcing the players in the beginning

[@hushg2000]

Can anyone tell me who WEST #36 is?? I have an all star jersey from this year and I have no fcking clue. I know everyone on the NL and AL roster, but can’t figure out who WEST is.

[@deesnuts9225]

"A classy move by a classy, classy man Alex Rodriguez" Little did anyone know

[@nestormedina529]

He's still classy so what are you talkin' about? No one said he was perfect, quit bein' so quick to judge.

[@deesnuts9225]

Quick to judge? This shit has been going on for 5 years now. How is he classy? Was it continuously lying? Was it disgracing the game on multiple occasions? Was it pissing on his cousins floor as a threat to keep his mouth shut? A-Rod is the least classy person in baseball.

[@Seatownrandom]

+Robert Deyo not really I've been a Mariners fan my whole life and he's actually a real standup guy

[@deesnuts9225]

Seatownrandom Which time was he a real stand-up guy; When he sued MLB for accusing him of something he did? Or was it taking a piss on his cousins carpet?

[@futuregohan4837]

Little Did Alex Know That 3rd Base Would Become His Permanent Position In 2004

[@tthomaselli2]

58:12.; What did Joe Torre say?... "We're live, so--" what?

[@luisdiaz9413]

El juego de los salones de la fama. Eso eran juegos de estrellas o mejor dicho super estrellas.

[@user-hd7mu6ep7q]

9:30～music？

[@jackmiller-johnston8689]

2 unlimited - Twlight Zone

[@jorgeguerra5641]

i miss Randy Johnson games

[@TheoneandonlyEETFUK]

hmm, those angels jerseys were nice.

[@Sephiroth766]

John Burkett? Wow

[@sea4our]

i can't believe A Rod got that many cheers here..we were still throwing monopoly money at him for the decade after he left for Texas.

[@j2rizzo]

I’m surprised Lou didn’t manage the AL.

[@royamac1844]

ms danaher

[@user-gr9uk2mp4t]

I respect the chanho Park

[@benicia21]

48:38 - either Chan Ho gave him a meat ball, or this is the greatest all star game moment since Pete Rose took out Ray Fosse. which is it?

[@LCSDA1966]

2 Month's later...9 - 11.

[@herbertstory812]

Let's not forget 116 wins that year for the Mariners just to get their asses kicked by the Yankees

[@placedirty1291]

5:29 9:56