The 2023 MLB All-Star Game, hosted in Seattle, marked the return of the Midsummer Classic to the city after a 22-year hiatus. The last time Seattle held the All-Star Game, in 2001, it served as a farewell stage for baseball icons Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Ripken notably homered in that game, earning MVP honors. A key moment of the game involved Alex Rodriguez shifting positions to allow Ripken to play shortstop, his regular position, one last time at Safeco Field.
During the pre-game broadcast of the 2023 All-Star Game, Ripken and Rodriguez reminisced about this memorable exchange. Ripken humorously confessed to being somewhat annoyed by Rodriguez's gesture at the time. "Well, now that you brought it back up, I was kind of pissed at you, to be honest with you," Ripken jokingly admitted on air.
Ripken explained his initial reaction, recalling his unfamiliarity with third base and the oversized glove he was using. "I hadn't been over there in a while. I got this big old glove on my hand… I go, 'How am I going to go back over there and turn a double play?’" He also mentioned being mic'd up, requiring him to be careful with his words as Rodriguez insisted on the position switch.
Ripken, a 19-time All-Star, retired after the 2001 season, having achieved legendary status. He won two MVP awards, and famously broke Lou Gehrig's seemingly unbreakable consecutive games played record, ultimately playing in 2,632 straight games. He finished his career with 431 home runs, a .276 batting average, and a .788 OPS.
