MLB ALL-STAR GAME

July 10, 2001

Bobby Valentine

BOBBY VALENTINE: Well, I'm still collecting it. It was one of the highlights of my life. It was sort of, I was with a great group of guys. To see Cal get a standing ovation and step in and hit a first-pitch homer is one of the most amazing feats I've ever seen. We battled, but came up short, but I think everyone gave a great effort and enjoyed the hell out of this game.

BOBBY VALENTINE: Yeah, we were trying to get some runs. Thank God he didn't get hurt, but sure brought some laughter. Laughter is good for the heart.

BOBBY VALENTINE: That's what it looked like. We didn't put any hits together and guys were not seeing the ball very well in the shadows there and came back complaining a little about it. When you have one at-bat to adjust, and that's what most of the guys had, some of them had two, it was a tough thing for the hitters, and their pitchers made really good pitches.

BOBBY VALENTINE: Well, I already said that seeing it would be hard to believe it; seeing it live and being a little part of it is a real special thing. You know, when he stepped out and tipped his hat I thought maybe he would take a pitch, because he had a good adrenaline flow, but he hit it over the fence. That's Cal and that's why we honor him today.

BOBBY VALENTINE: It's not quite the ending, but it's the ending of the All-Star chapter, and how could it be a better ending, for someone as deserving, most deserving, as Cal?