Detroit – One year, Miguel Tejada stepped up on the world’s midsummer stage and put on a memorable power exhibition to win the Home Run Derby.
The next year, Tejada returned to the same enormous stage and became the most valuable player of the All-Star Game.
Isn’t it time the world begins to recognize Tejada as the game’s best all-around player?
“I’m really happy with what I’ve got right now,” Tejada said after helping the American League defeat the National League 7-5 on Tuesday at Comerica Park. “I’m going to keep working hard and let’s see if I keep up my game, the way that I play.”
Since Alex Rodriguez shifted from shortstop to third base two years ago, the mantle for the game’s best all-around player has been thrown up for debate. Perhaps there wouldn’t be discussion if more people saw Tejada play regularly.
Begin with the fact he’s a shortstop who hits for power. Tejada helped shaky AL starter Mark Buehrle get out of a potential first-inning jam by knocking down a smash grounder by Carlos Beltran, then flipping to his Baltimore teammate Brian Roberts to start a double play.
“To me, that relaxes Buehrle, the whole game changes on that,” AL manager Terry Francona said. “That’s a heck of a play.”
Batting fifth, Tejada started the scoring by walloping a leadoff homer off John Smoltz in the second and driving in another run in the third.
And it’s not like Tejada only flourishes in exhibitions. A regular-season MVP for Oakland in 2002, Tejada batted .311 with 34 homers and a major league-best 150 RBIs for Baltimore last season. Think about that, again. A shortstop with 150 RBIs.
Halfway through this season, his average is up to .329 and he’s on pace for 35 homers and 115 RBIs.
Another thing about Tejada: He plays every day. As in 840 consecutive games, the eighth- longest playing streak in history.
“I just want to work harder and harder every day,” Tejada said.
Getting the call
Venezuela needs to stop calling Bobby Abreu.
His mailbox is full, and every time the Philadelphia Phillies and National League all-star starting right fielder erases one message, his wireless number gets pummeled with redials.
It’s amazing what 24 home runs in the first round of a nationally televised Home Run Derby can do to a guy’s popularity.
“I was up to 3 in the morning talking to people from Venezuela,” Abreu said Tuesday before the All-Star Game. “The whole country was going crazy.”
Where’s Raffy?
Yankees third baseman Rodriguez believes Major League Baseball should have made a special all-star exemption for former Rangers teammate Rafael Palmeiro, who is two hits from becoming only the fourth player in history with at least 3,000 hits and 500 homers. The others are Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray.
Although Palmeiro’s .269 average, 15 homers and 50 RBIs for Baltimore this year are slightly below all-star caliber for first basemen, MLB found a last- minute, all-star spot for Roger Clemens when he supposedly was going to retire in 2003, and honored Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. with historic achievement awards during the 2001 All-Star Game.
“We’ve made so many (all-star roster) changes along the way, that when one of our icons is about to break a special record, I think they have to be here,” Rodriguez said. “There should be a special situation, and I don’t think you should do it for one guy and not another.”
In defense of MLB, Palmeiro has made no plans to retire.
Footnotes
The TV camera was right in Kenny Rogers’ face as he was introduced during the pregame ceremony. Rogers tipped his cap while the Comerica Park fans booed the Texas pitcher. …
The Tigers didn’t have former 31-game winner Denny McLain throw the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday. Instead, former Detroit stars Al Kaline and Willie Horton shared the honor. …
Rodriguez wore new white shoes for the All-Star Game in honor of Keith Hernandez, his favorite player, who did the same for his all-star appearances. …
Detroit being the Motor City, the all-star players were driven to Comerica Park before the game while riding in the back of Chevrolet convertibles and trucks in parade-like fashion. Some got to ride in Corvettes, but not Rockies closer Brian Fuentes. “I wish,” Fuentes said after he and his wife took an otherwise nice ride in an Avalanche truck. “The Corvette’s my favorite car. I want to get one bad.”
