City has flair for All-Star drama

It has been the scene of two of the greatest rallies in the All-Star game's 77-game history.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The All-Star game has visited Pittsburgh twice since 1994, so it's not likely to return until Pirates star Jason Bay is about 10 years into his retirement. Too bad for the city -- and maybe for baseball.
Much like the 1994 All-Star game, when the NL rallied to win after trailing by two runs with two outs to go, Tuesday night's game featured an exceptional comeback -- and, yes, a play at the plate that may have altered the outcome.
The American League was down to its last strike in the ninth before Paul Konerko singled into left field against Trevor Hoffman, leading to All-Star MVP Michael Young's decisive two-run triple.
The 3-2 victory extended the AL's unbeaten streak to 10 games, but was its first in five All-Star games in Pittsburgh.
Eager for opportunity
"I knew if I got a chance to hit, it was going to mean something," said Young, the Rangers infielder. "I was definitely hoping to hit because I knew I could make a huge impact if I got up."
The greatest impact will be felt in October, when the AL champion again has home-field advantage in the World Series. As Twins catcher Joe Mauer said, "Somebody in here is going to be pretty happy when the World Series comes along."
Pittsburgh hasn't been the site of many meaningful games since the Pirates last won a division title in 1992, but it has now been the scene of two of the greatest rallies in the All-Star game's 77-game history.
Only once since the NL's Pete Rose ran over Ray Fosse at the plate in 1970 to score the winning run in the 12th inning has a team won the All-Star game when trailing in the ninth.
In 1994 at Three Rivers Stadium, the NL's Fred McGriff hit a tying, two-run homer with one out in the ninth before Moises Alou's double drove in Tony Gwynn on a close play at the plate in the 10th.
Thrown out
Tuesday's game may have swung on a similar play when the NL's Alfonso Soriano was thrown out at home on a strong throw by center fielder Vernon Wells in the third inning, possibly preventing the NL from taking a 3-1 lead. That lost run meant the AL needed only one run to tie in the ninth, not two.
Even if the game hadn't been as good, it's likely Pittsburgh would have been praised for how it staged the game.
Several players remarked about the fans' enthusiasm -- especially given how poorly their own Pirates are playing -- and the absence of the pushiness and autograph-seeking persistence that occurs in other venues.
Huge signs welcoming the players and fans were hung on several downtown buildings, the downtown area was clean and neat, and nearly every lamppost in town was hung with a colorful All-Star banner.
The players also seemed to enjoy the convertible rides across a red-carpeted Roberto Clemente Bridge to the ballpark nearly five hours before the first pitch, a procession that began downtown and drew nearly as many spectators as the game itself.
Player's favorite
"It's always been one of my favorite cities," Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca said. "It's a beautiful ballpark, especially at night when you see the bridge. They did an unbelievable job of doing this ballpark and I love it."
And, as Lo Duca said, it's the small touches that often matter most to players who spend three months on the road during a baseball season, then must spend several more days away from their families during the only break they get all summer.
The gift bags and parties are nice, but are the ballpark showers hot? Are the lockers spacious enough that players aren't bumping into one another? Do the taxis arrive promptly? Is there late-night room service? Is the ballpark close to the hotel?
To Lo Duca, none of the above has been a major problem in Pittsburgh.
The only glitches following several years of planning seemed to occur Wednesday morning, when some passengers missed scheduled morning flights at Pittsburgh International Airport. Some became stuck in traffic jams close to the airport while others spent considerable time in lengthy security checkpoint lines.
Bittersweet
While the city itself had a sobering moment -- first-year Mayor Bob O'Connor was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and missed the game -- Pittsburgh clearly enjoyed its second moment in the national spotlight in six months. And this one had nothing to do with the Super Bowl champion Steelers.
"It's a sports town, not just a football town," Pirates All-Star Freddy Sanchez said. "I love playing here, and I can only imagine what it would be like if we ever started winning."
The NL, now 0-9-1 in the All-Star game since 1996, must feel the same way.
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