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The Tigers' ace had an explanation ready. Verlander said he usually doesn't register triple digits on the radar gun until well into a game, but decided to try early in this one to give the fans a show.
"Obviously, you don't want to go out like that, but I had fun," Verlander said. "That's why I don't try to throw 100 (mph) in the first inning, but this is for the fans. It doesn't usually work out too well for me.
"I know this game means something and you don't want to give up runs, but we're here for the fans," he repeated a moment later. "I know the fans don't want to see me throw 90 and try to hit the corners."
One glance at the steadily declining TV ratings makes you wonder how much the fans really want to see. Last year's game in Phoenix was the lowest-rated ever, continuing a trend Commissioner Bud Selig hoped to avert by putting home-field advantage in the World Series at stake.
Then again, this one had more appeal than a few recent games. Familiar faces like Derek Jeter and Chipper Jones, at 40 playing in his eighth and final All-Star game, mingled with the fresh ones belonging to the next generation of stars, kids like Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. Fox showcased new hire Erin Andrews and trotted out a promotional campaign reminding us of the game's old-time virtues: "When we see the boys of summer actually be boys."
That may have been true about a few too many of the guys on the American League bench, at least for this one night. La Russa took some heat a day earlier -- including in this space -- for his decision to start Cain over fan favorite Dickey, a 37-year-old journeyman whose first All-Star appearance came after a long struggle to master the knuckleball. Apparently, that nasty little competitive streak grew wide enough to make a big difference.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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