SAN FRANCISCO – Ichiro Suzuki once again showed the world what a unique talent he is on the baseball field.
Ichiro’s fifth-inning, two-run, inside-the-park homer was the key hit in the American League’s 5-4 win last night in the 78th All-Star Game. Ichiro was 3-for-3 and became the first Japanese player to be named All-Star MVP.
Suzuki’s inside-the-park home run hit an All-Star banner in right field and ricocheted away from Ken Griffey Jr.
“I thought it was going to go over the fence and when it didn’t I was really bummed,” said Suzuki, who will sign a new five-year contract with the Mariners this week.
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The trading deadline is still weeks away, but the word yesterday was that the Mets are looking to land a big bat. That bat could be White Sox slugger Jermaine Dye. “Dye will be traded,” one baseball insider said, “and the Mets are one of the teams interested in him.”
The Mets also are looking for pitching. Sources say Dontrelle Willis will be traded by the Marlins, but the Marlins will not trade Willis to their chief competition in the NL East. Look for Willis to be dealt to a team from the West.
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Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is throwing a cut fastball now, with the help of bullpen coach Gary Tuck, who spent years with Mariano Rivera in the Yankees bullpen. . . . Jeter had one hit in three at-bats and is hitting .500 lifetime in All-Star games.