2013 ALL-STAR GAME
It was a rival & heated All-Star game with some bad blood along with three hit batters and two ejections. In the bottom of the 4th inning with the National League & holding a 2-0 lead & Justin Verlander (Sacramento) on the mound the American League Miguel Cabrera (Severn) laced a double to left center.  Prince Fielder (Representing Tijuana – since traded to Jersey) was clapping and laughing as Miggy slide into 2nd base was not the most graceful of attempts.  Verlander didn’t like Fielders antics and pointed at Fielder. 
Fielder mouthed something back and the two exchanged words. On the very first pitch Verlander nailed fielder in the ribs & dropped him to the ground.  A pop out to center and a infield fly gave Verlander a chance to get out of the 4th inning with the lead still intact.  Adam Jones (Detroit) strode to the plate & pointed his bat (Babe Ruth like) to Center field. Again Verlander yelled in, Jones yelled back, and both benches started to enter the field. The Umpires, Jim Joyce, Adrian Johnson, Marvin Hudson, Mark Carlson, Teddy Barrett & Dan Iassogna did a great job settling things down no punches were thrown. But Verlander took things into his own hands. After a strike one on the inside corner with a curve, Verlander came back with a inside fastball that hit Adam Jones just above the knee – and that was all, home plate umpire Dan Iassogna tossed Verlander from the All-Star Game. Iassogna also stepped in between Verlander & Jones, and again the other umpires did a great job stepping in between any players before things got out of Control.
The National League struck first in the top of the third, when Yaider Molina (Sacramento) lead off with a single and stolen second. Eric Aybar (Camarillo) followed with a single to right, but Molina was held up at third as Giancarlo Stanton (Virginia) came up throwing a strike to the plate. Shin-Soo Choo (Jersey) promptly lined a Double to left, which scored both Molina & Aybar – giving the National League a 2-0 lead.
With the bases full (two on hit batters) & Verlander now ejected National League acting manager George Skiles (Sacramento) who was filling in for Chris Douglas (Tempe) who had other commitments brought in Craig Kimbrel (Valdosta) looking for one big out. It’ didn’t happen. Jose Altuve (Southbend) was replaced at bat by Paul Goldschmidt (Hollywood) who hit Kimbrel’s 1st pitch down the line over third and into the corner. Cabrera scored, Fielder scored & Adam Jones slide in safely at the plate for a three-run triple by Goldschmidt. Derek Jeter (Chicago) singled to center scoring Goldschmidt and the American League was now up by the score of 4-2 at the end of four complete innings of play.
In the top of the 5th the National League quickly came back and put a four spot on the board matching the American Leagues bottom of the 4th.  Adrian Gonzalez (Tempe) lead off with a double and was replaced by pinch runner Jimmy Rollins (Sacramento – Since traded to Clovis). After a quick ground out that Rollins moved to third, Mike Trout (Motor City) grounded another slow roller to shortstop – Derek Jeter made a great play on the slow roller but Trout beat it out at first base and Rollins scored on the play. Trout stole second & Robinson Cano (Sacramento) smashed a double to left center that scored Trout.  Game was tied at four apiece.  Albert Pujols strolled to the plate and blasted a 2-run home run, giving the National League a 6-4 lead. Jason Motte went 1/3 of an inning gave up 4 runs, on 4 hits, two doubles & a home run. It was not a pretty line for Motte.
That was all the scoring for the game, but not all for the excitement. In the top of the 8th American League pitcher Luke Gregerson (Hollywood) took things into his own hands again. Gregerson who had rushed out of the bullpen earlier in the game was looking for revenge for his American League teammates Fielder and Jones.  Gregerson was facing National League catcher Carlos Ruiz and with a 3-0 count Gregerson drilled him up high around the shoulders.  Iassogna instantly ejected Gregerson, but the benches emptied and milled about, with the managers George Skiles & Stray Corrado both doing most of the yelling & pushing & shoving.
Albert Pujols was named the 2013 Mid-West Baseball League Most Valuable Player. Pujols was 1 for 3 with a 2-Run Home Run, which gave the National League the 6-4 lead and final score.
