McCarthy faces Simon after Reds present gift to Jeter

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PRIZES:  A maximum of two hundred fifteen (215) prizes (each, a "Prize" and collectively, the "Prizes") will be awarded (i.e. five (5) Prizes per each Postseason Game with a maximum of forty-three (43) Postseason Games), as follows:

For up to twenty-two (22) Postseason Games during the 2012 Wild Card Games and the 2012 Division Series, each Winner will receive one (1) Postseason.TV subscription for the remainder of the 2012 MLB Postseason. Approximate retail value ("ARV") of each such Prize: $4.99.

For up to twenty-one (21) Postseason Games during the 2012 League Championship Series and the 2012 MLB World Series Championship, each Winner will receive one (1) MLB.TV Offseason Package subscription. ARV of each such Prize: $24.99.

Total ARV of all Prizes: $3172.85.

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In the event of dispute as to the identity or eligibility of any potential winner based on an e-mail address, the winning entry will be declared made by the "Authorized Account Holder" of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry provided he/she is eligible according to these Official Rules. The "Authorized Account Holder" is defined as the natural person to whom the applicable Internet service provider or other organization (such as a business or educational institution) has assigned the e-mail address for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

As a condition of participating in this Promotion, each entrant agrees that (A) any and all disputes, claims, controversies or causes of action arising out of or relating to this Promotion, or any prizes awarded (each, a "Claim"), shall be (1) arbitrated on an individual basis only, and shall not be consolidated or joined with or in any arbitration or other proceeding involving a Claim of any other party, and (2) settled by binding arbitration in New York County, New York before a single arbitrator appointed by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its then governing rules and procedures, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof; and (B) under no circumstance will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, consequential or any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses. These Official Rules shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, U.S.A, applicable to contracts entered into and performed exclusively in that State.

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WINNERS' LIST:  For a list of winners (available after December 1, 2012) mail a request and a self-addressed stamped envelope to be received by January 15, 2012 to: MLB.com Bingo Winner's List c/o MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 75 Ninth Ave., New York, New York 10011, Attn: Sweepstakes Department.

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Tanaka optimistic of avoiding Tommy John surgery

By Bryan Hoch and Jamal Collier / MLB.com | 7/18/2014 11:35 P.M. ET

NEW YORK -- Masahiro Tanaka was one of baseball's best stories over his 18 starts in the first half, and the Yankees right-hander is hopeful that he will be able to throw a few more pitches before the season is out.

Tanaka said on Friday that he is going along with the recommendations of the three doctors who examined the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and he is optimistic that a six-week rehab program will allow him to avoid reconstructive surgery.

"All I can do is to believe them and go with the treatment and the rehab program that the team will be having for us," Tanaka said through an interpreter.

Tanaka said that the discomfort in his pitching elbow started during his July 8 outing against the Indians in Cleveland, which was Tanaka's worst start of the year. The 25-year-old said that he never felt any issues before that night.

"The irritation or the pain came during that day in Cleveland when I was pitching," he said. "It was something that just gradually kind of built up. After the game, I told the team and the trainers that it was bothering me and it was hurting."

Tanaka said that even though he felt pain and not normal soreness, he did not fear a significant injury until an MRI exam confirmed the small tear of his UCL. Tanaka had a platelet-rich plasma injection on Monday in New York, and the Yankees plan to give Tanaka three weeks of full rest without throwing.

"I'm going to start on my throwing program once it becomes pain-free," Tanaka said. "It could be anytime. I wouldn't say tomorrow or anything. We just have to wait and see how the outlook is."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that once Tanaka is symptom-free, the team will put him on a throwing program. Bullpen sessions, batting practices and Minor League rehab games would all follow.

"The important thing here is that what happened is what happened, and I have to accept that," Tanaka said. "Right now, my focus is to accept it and try to get back on the mound. That's basically where I'm at."

Beltran returns from seven-day concussion DL

NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltran returned to the Yankees' lineup on Friday, going 2-for-4 with a shift-beating double and an RBI single out of the No. 6 spot as the designated hitter.

Beltran was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list on July 10 after a batted ball struck him in the face after ricocheting off a protective "L" screen in an indoor batting cage.

Beltran had some bruising on the bridge of his nose after the accident and saw a specialist in New York, but he said Friday those moves were for precaution and that he never had a concussion. Beltran passed a MLB-mandated concussion test before being activated.

"I feel good," Beltran said after New York's 4-3 victory over the Reds. "I think after I had that hit in the face, the next day I woke up feeling good. The team was concerned and just put me on the seven-day DL, making sure everything was well. I feel good."

The Yankees were encouraged with the way Beltran had started to swing the bat before the injury as he hopes to break out of a season-long funk. He hit .216 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs in 61 games before the All-Star break -- the first year of a three-year, $45 million contract.

Beltran hyperextended his right elbow in April, requiring a stint on the DL, and has been limited to designated hitter ever since. Neither Beltran nor Girardi was sure when Beltran would resume a throwing program so he can play the outfield at some point this season.

"Hopefully, everything goes well in the second half, I'll stay healthy and try to help the team," Beltran said.

Right-hander Bryan Mitchell was sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding roster move. The Yankees promoted Mitchell the day before the All-Star break as an extra arm in the bullpen just in case they played an extended game, but he did not make an appearance.

Yanks to honor Jeter's career on Sept. 7

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have announced that they will hold a special pregame ceremony to honor the career of team captain Derek Jeter on Sunday, Sept. 7.

All fans in attendance for the Yankees' game vs. Kansas City will receive a limited-edition commemorative coin that will recognize the occasion. Further details about the ceremony will be announced at a later date, the team said.

Sixty-seven regular-season games now remain in Jeter's final season. The Yankees' final regular-season home game is scheduled for Sept. 25 against the Orioles. New York completes the regular season on Sept. 28 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

As the countdown continues, Jeter reached another career milestone on Friday. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Friday marked Jeter's 2,610th career start at shortstop, passing Omar Vizquel (2,609) for the all-time Major League record.

Jeter has now appeared in 2,624 career games at shortstop, and will finish his career trailing only Vizquel (2,709) on baseball's all-time list. Jeter has made the most appearances at any single fielding position without having played another position in Major League history.

Depth in starting rotation a priority for Cashman

NEW YORK -- Starting-pitching depth remains at the top of Brian Cashman's shopping list as the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches, the Yankees general manager said on Friday.

"Trying to acquire starting-pitching depth is important, period -- whether it's tomorrow or by the Deadline or even after the Deadline," Cashman said. "In the meantime, the people who are getting the ball are obviously going to try to make every opportunity while they have it."

The Yankees are missing 80 percent of their Opening Day rotation, with only Hiroki Kuroda remaining from a group that once included CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka.

Cashman has shown willingness to make smaller upgrades when possible to this point; Brandon McCarthy was acquired from the D-backs in exchange for Vidal Nuno, and David Huff was added to the roster as an improvement over long reliever Alfredo Aceves.

In the meantime, the Yankees do feel urgency to reinforce a rotation currently comprised by David Phelps, McCarthy, Kuroda, Shane Greene and Chase Whitley.

"Some guys have really stepped up for us," Cashman said. "Can they maintain it? That's obviously the one question, and obviously we're more vulnerable because we can't afford any more injuries."

Cashman also noted that the organization will not pursue infielder Dan Uggla, who was granted his release on Friday by the Braves. The 34-year-old Uggla hit .162 with two home runs and 40 strikeouts in 145 plate appearances.

"I don't see where he'd fit, to be honest," Cashman said.

Bombers bits

• Pineda continues to show progress in his rehab from a right shoulder injury. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild watched Pineda throw a bullpen session over the All-Star break in Tampa, Fla., issuing a positive report. A mid-August return to the big league rotation remains in play at this time.

• Girardi applauded the way Major League Baseball handled Jeter's final All-Star Game.

"I thought it was great -- how it was handled, just everything involved. It was a very good game, too, as well," Girardi said.

• On this date in 1999, David Cone pitched the third perfect game in Yankees history, a 6-0 gem over the Expos at Yankee Stadium. Don Larsen threw out the game's ceremonial first pitch on Yogi Berra Appreciation Day.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. Jamal Collier is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Free-agent trio carries Yanks to win over Reds

MLB.COM BINGO

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NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING A PRIZE WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BINGO CARDS ISSUED AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VALID POTENTIAL WINNING BINGO CARDS CLAIMED FOR EACH APPLICABLE POSTSEASON GAME. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. ALL DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY BINDING ARBITRATION AND ENTRANTS WAIVE THE ABILITY TO BRING CLAIMS IN A CLASS ACTION FORMAT.

ELIGIBILITY:  MLB.com Bingo (the "Promotion") is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and Washington, D.C. who are eighteen (18) years of age or older (except in the case of legal residents of certain states where the legal age of majority is greater than eighteen (18) years of age, such legal age of majority) at the time of entry. Employees, officers, and directors (including immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and members of the same household, whether or not related) of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. ("Sponsor"), the other MLB Entities and each of their respective parents, affiliated companies, subsidiaries, licensees, distributors, dealers, retailers, printers, advertising and promotion agencies, and any and all other companies associated with the Promotion are not eligible to participate or win a Prize (defined below). The "MLB Entities" shall mean Sponsor, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball ("BOC"), its Bureaus, Committees, Subcommittees and Councils, Major League Baseball Enterprises, Inc., Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., the Major League Baseball Clubs ("Clubs"), each of their parent, subsidiary, affiliated and related entities, any entity which, now or in the future, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Clubs or the BOC and the owners, general and limited partners, shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents of the foregoing entities. The Promotion is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Void where prohibited or restricted by law, rule or regulation.

PROMOTION PERIOD: The Promotion period (the "Promotion Period") begins at 11:00 AM Eastern Time ("ET") on October 5, 2012 and ends upon completion of the final out of the 2012 MLB World Series Championship.

HOW TO ENTER: During the Promotion Period, you may enter the Promotion by clicking on the banners, buttons and/or links within MLB.com Gameday (a free application) and following the instructions provided to register for the Promotion. If you are not already a member of MLB.com, you must become one before you can register to participate in the Contest (membership is free). There is only one (1) way to participate in the Promotion: online. No other method of entry or participation will be accepted. Additional entries beyond the specified limit will be void. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means will be void. All information submitted online by entrants is subject to, and will be treated in a manner consistent with, MLB.com's Terms of Use accessible at: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb_com/terms_of_use.jsp and Privacy Policy accessible at: www.mlb.com/privacy.  All online entries must include a valid e-mail address for the entrant.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:  Upon successful registration, follow the instructions provided to receive one (1) virtual bingo card (the "Bingo Card") for each game of the 2012 MLB Postseason played during the Promotion Period (each, a "Postseason Game"). In addition, during the Promotion Period, participants may utilize sharing functionality available via the Promotion upon completion of a successful Contest (the "Sharing Functionality") to receive two (2) additional Bingo Cards. For each eligible individual any entrant notifies or makes aware of the Promotion who clicks on a valid link made available via the Sharing Functionality identifiable as having come from the entrant, such entrant shall receive two (2) additional Bingo Cards (for a total of three (3) Bingo Cards). No additional Bingo Cards will be received other than through verified Sharing Functionality. There is a limit of three (3) Bingo Cards per person and per e-mail address per Postseason Game. Each Bingo Card shall include a 5x5 grid that includes twenty-five (25) tiles (each, a "Tile"). Each Tile will include one (1) randomly selected game outcome for the active Postseason Game. For example, a participant could have a "Josh Hamilton Double" Tile on their Bingo Card which would be automatically marked in the event Josh Hamilton hits a double during a Postseason Game. Any eligible participant who receives a Bingo Card that becomes marked with five (5) Tiles in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row (each, a "Potential Winning Bingo Card") may be a potential Prize winner, subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these Official Rules. (See the Prize Claim Section below for more information.) For purposes of this Promotion, MLB game outcomes will not be updated to reflect any official MLB statistics changes or corrections that may occur after the completion of any Postseason Game. Once each Postseason Game is final following completion of the final out of that game, it will be final for purposes of this Promotion. In the event any Postseason Game is cancelled, postponed or suspended, all Bingo Cards will be void for that game and Sponsor reserves the right to award the applicable Prizes by way of random drawing from among all eligible participants as of the time of such cancellation, postponement or suspension.

PRIZE CLAIMS: In the event you receive a message within MLB.com Gameday notifying you that you have a Potential Winning Bingo Card, you must claim your Potential Winning Bingo Card by following the onscreen instructions provided by no later than ten (10) minutes following the end of the applicable Postseason Game to be eligible for the Drawing (defined below). Failure to claim your Potential Winning Bingo Card within ten (10) minutes following the end of the applicable Postseason Game will render the Potential Winning Bingo Card void and result in Prize forfeiture.

ALL POTENTIAL WINNING BINGO CARDS ARE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING. AN ENTRANT IS NOT A WINNER OF ANY PRIZE, EVEN IF THE PROMOTION SHOULD SO INDICATE, UNLESS AND UNTIL ENTRANT'S ELIGIBILITY, THE POTENTIAL WINNING BINGO CARD AND ENTRANT'S COMPLIANCE WITH THESE OFFICIAL RULES HAVE BEEN VERIFIED BY SPONSOR AND ENTRANT HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT SUCH VERIFICATION IS COMPLETE. SPONSOR WILL NOT ACCEPT SCREEN SHOTS OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF WINNING IN LIEU OF ITS VALIDATION PROCESS.

RANDOM DRAWINGS: Approximately thirty (30) minutes following the final out of each Postseason Game, five (5) potential winners will be selected by random drawing from among all eligible participants who claim valid Potential Winning Bingo Cards for that Postseason Game in accordance with these Official Rules (the "Drawing"). Subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these Official Rules, the potential winners will be declared official winners of the Sweepstakes (each, a "Winner" and collectively, the "Winners"). Odds of winning a Prize will depend on the total number of Bingo Cards issued and the total number of valid Potential Winning Bingo Cards claimed for each applicable Postseason Game. Limit one (1) Prize per person, per family and per household.

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Torre prepares for Hall of Fame induction

By Paul Casella / MLB.com | 7/17/2014 2:49 P.M. ET

SCARBOROUGH, N.Y. -- Joe Torre's journey to the Hall of Fame has been more than a half-century in the making. Yet with his induction weekend now just one week away, the legendary skipper still doesn't know what exactly he'll talk about during his acceptance speech.

On Thursday, his focus was solely on his annual Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation 2014 Golf and Tennis Classic at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club. Torre was joined by celebrities, athletes and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as his foundation continued its efforts to battle domestic violence by raising both money and awareness.

It was a perfect day for golf, with temperatures hovering in the upper 70s and clear skies overhead. Torre is hoping for a similar forecast next weekend in Cooperstown, where he will be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, alongside fellow managers Tony La Russa and Bobby Cox, as well as former players Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas. 

"I'm not ready to do it yet. I have no idea what I'm going to say," said Torre, who plans to arrive in Cooperstown on Wednesday. "All I can hope is we get some beautiful weather like today to enjoy it all -- but that's about as far as I've gotten so far."

Torre, who turns 74 on Friday, has dedicated the past 54 years to Major League Baseball. He made his big league debut as a player on Sept. 25, 1960, at the age of 20. Over the better part of the next two decades, he would make nine All-Star appearances and earn the National League MVP Award in 1971, while splitting his 18 seasons amongst the Braves, Cardinals and Mets.

Torre spent the latter part of the 1977 season as a player-manager for the Mets before becoming a full-time skipper to start the following season. He went on to win four World Series titles, while amassing 2,326 wins over his 29-year managerial career. Torre has continued his devotion to the sport by currently serving as MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations.

"I thought he should have gone in as a player, but the career he had as a manager was second to none," said Tino Martinez, who played for Torre from 1996-2001 and again in '05. "He was fantastic to our team and we couldn't have asked for anything else from a manager. This induction is long overdue and I'm very excited about it."

Martinez was on hand Thursday to take part in Torre's golf tournament, as was former teammate David Cone. Both players contributed to all four of Torre's titles, including the Yankees' three-peat from 1998-2000.

"It validates all of us, in a sense," Cone said of his skipper's Hall of Fame induction. "It validates our run. I feel like I'm part of it when I hear Joe Torre get his recognition and go to the Hall. It makes me feel good about being part of that team and I feel like I'm going in there with him to an extent."

Torre echoed a similar sentiment, going as far as to say that he would not even be entering the Hall of Fame if it weren't for players like Cone, Martinez, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and so on.

"I know I wouldn't be enshrined if it wasn't for Jeter and Mariano and some of these guys here today," Torre said with a laugh. "They played a huge part for me, not just in getting me to where I am, but in my career as a whole. I hope they all know how much they meant to me."

If not, Torre will have a chance next weekend on baseball's biggest stage to thank them all once again -- though his speech remains very much in the preliminary stages.

"I've never been one to just stand up there and read something. I've always been one to try to speak what's in my heart and on my mind," Torre said. "Hopefully I can make sure I acknowledge all the people that were really instrumental in getting me to where I was. This isn't an individual honor. I'm not going in there alone and I want to make sure everyone knows they're a part of this."

Paul Casella is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @paul_casella. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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MLB Notebook: Jeter, Trout exchange baton

On July 11, 1978, in San Diego, Giants left-hander Vida Blue -- honored with the starting assignment for the National League in the 49th All-Star Game -- immediately faced the unenviable task of trying to keep leadoff hitter Rod Carew off the bases.

As many pitchers did around this time, Blue failed, surrendering a triple to the lefty-swinging hitter, who just a year before had made a run at hitting .400. With Carew at third, George Brett -- who, in 1980, would replicate Carew's chase for a .400 season -- doubled against Blue and later scored to give the American League a 2-0 advantage in the first inning.

The dynamic duo would be at it again in the third, with Carew opening the inning with a triple and Brett again driving him in, this time on a sacrifice fly. Brett would later single, and although the AL lost for the seventh straight time, those two at the top of the Junior Circuit's starting lineup had done something no other teammates hitting first and second in an All-Star Game had ever done: each had at least two hits, each had at least one extra-base hit, and each scored at least one run.

Derek Jeter and Mike Trout, with their performances in Minnesota on Tuesday night, joined those two AL icons.

Captain goes out in style
In the 85th All-Star Game, the AL fell a single shy of hitting for the cycle while jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and it eventually came away with a 5-3 victory.

Jeter -- an All-Star for the 14th time -- led off for the AL and went 2-for-2 with a first-inning double and a single in the third. With the effort, Jeter finished his All-Star career with 13 hits in 27 at-bats (he's totaled 29 plate appearances) for a .481 career average.

There are 51 players who have collected at least 25 plate appearances in the Midsummer Classic. Among that group, Jeter's .481 mark is second to Charlie Gehringer's .500 (10-for-20 in 29 plate appearances).

Derek Jeter ranks second in batting average among players with at least 25 All-Star plate appearances.

Player	Avg.	PA
Charlie Gehringer	.500 (10-for-20)	29
Derek Jeter	.481 (13-for-27)	29
Ken Griffey, Jr.	.440 (11-for-25)	28
Billy Herman	.433 (13-for-30)	31
Steve Garvey	.393 (11-for-28)	30

• Jeter concluded his All-Star career tied for fifth all-time in hits, with those 13. The top four are Willie Mays (23), Stan Musial (20), Ted Williams (14) and Nellie Fox (14). At 13, Jeter is tied with Billy Herman, Hank Aaron, Brooks Robinson, Dave Winfield and Cal Ripken, Jr.

• Jeter became the 18th player with at least three multihit games in All-Star play (Mays leads with six). The others to have at least three as AL representatives: Gehringer, Fox, Robinson, Ken Griffey Jr. (each of these four with four), Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Carew, Brett and Ivan Rodriguez (all with three).

• Jeter became the 26th leadoff hitter to have an All-Star Game with at least two hits and a run scored, and he was one of 15 to also have an extra-base hit as part of the line. Among this group of 15, Jeter was the first since J.D. Drew in 2008 to do this, the first shortstop since Jose Reyes in '07, and the first AL shortstop since Dick McAuliffe in 1965.

• At 40 years and 19 days old, Jeter became the oldest player in All-Star history with a multihit game. He surpassed Yastrzemski, who was 39 years and 329 days old in 1979, when he had two singles. The previous oldest player with at least two hits and one going for extra bases had been Babe Ruth, who was 38 years and 150 days old in 1933, when he homered and singled.

Trout is game's big fish
Trout, at 22 years and 342 days old, tripled, doubled, drove in two runs, scored one and won the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet.

Some tidbits regarding his line:

• Trout is one of 20 players in All-Star Game history with at least two extra-base hits and two RBIs (the NL's Jonathan Lucroy also did this Tuesday -- more on him in a bit); Trout is the third youngest of the collection. Griffey Jr. was 22 years and 236 days old when he went 3-for-3 with a double, homer and two RBIs in a 13-6 victory in 1992. In the AL's 7-5 win in 1941, Williams -- 22 years and 312 days old at the time -- had doubled and had one RBI before his three-run walk-off homer in the ninth capped his day. The oldest player with at least two extra-base hits was Lou Gehrig, who was 34 years and 18 days old in 1937 when he doubled, homered and drove in four.

• Trout was the 10th AL player to post two extra-base hits and two RBIs, and the first to do it since Garret Anderson in 2003. The others: Earl Averill (1934), Gehrig ('37), Williams ('41 and '46), Al Rosen ('54), Griffey Jr. ('92), Kirby Puckett ('93) and Paul Konerko (2002).

Tigers roar for AL
In addition to Cabrera hitting the game's only home run, his Tigers teammate Max Scherzer came away with the win.

Scherzer was the fourth Tigers pitcher to record an All-Star victory, and the first since Jim Bunning in 1957 (Bunning started and hurled three perfect innings). Before Bunning, reliever Tommy Bridges picked up the victory in '39, and reliever Virgil Trucks got a win in '49.

Cabrera was the 13th Tigers player to homer in the All-Star Game, and the third to do it as the AL's cleanup hitter. His two predecessors in this latter lens: Al Kaline in 1960 and Rocky Colavito in '62. Before Cabrera, no Tigers player had homered in an All-Star Game since Lou Whitaker in '86. The only other Tigers first baseman to go yard in the Midsummer Classic was Rudy York in '42.

Here and there
• The all-time record now stands at 43 wins for the NL, 40 for the AL. There were ties in the second game played in 1961 and in 2002. Since Fred Lynn's grand slam in 1983 helped his league snap an 11-game losing streak to the Senior Circuit, the AL has won 22 of 32, and since 1997, has gone 14-3-1.

• As mentioned, Lucroy became one of 20 players in All-Star history to have at least two extra-base hits and two RBIs. The other NL players to accomplish the feat were Arky Vaughan (1941), Ernie Banks ('60), Willie McCovey ('69), Bobby Bonds ('73), Gary Carter ('81), Mike Schmidt ('81), Mike Piazza ('96), Andruw Jones (2003) and Albert Pujols ('04).

• Eleven AL pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts and one walk. The line marked the fifth time in All-Star Game history a league collected at least 13 K's, with the one walk marking the second-lowest total of free passes among the five. In 1967, five AL pitchers -- Dean Chance, Jim McGlothlin, Gary Peters, Al Downing and Catfish Hunter -- combined for 13 strikeouts and no walks in a 15-inning, 2-1 loss.

Roger Schlueter is senior researcher for MLB Productions. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Torre's golf event continues Safe At Home's mission

By Tim Healey / MLB.com | 7/17/2014 3:20 P.M. ET

SCARBOROUGH, N.Y. -- Joe Torre hosts a golf tournament benefitting his charity every July, but as he milled about the Sleepy Hollow Country Club on Thursday morning, it dawned on him that the latest edition was vastly different from 2013's in a not insignificant way: The weather was perfect.

"Gorgeous," Torre, surveying the first hole, said of the 78-and-sunny scene. "Remember last year? Hundred degrees."

And so it was a successful day in a quiet town along the Hudson River, though that would have been the case no matter the climate. Torre's Celebrity Golf & Tennis Classic raised money for his Safe At Home Foundation, which seeks to create an atmosphere of awareness when it comes to domestic violence.

Torre and his wife, Ali, founded Safe At Home in 2002 in an effort to give kids a better childhood than Torre had, when Torre's father was verbally and physically abusive toward his mother.

Though Torre was not physically abused himself, he saw the damage it can do, and he set out to help those faced with what he called "this terrible, terrible, terrible health issue." Safe At Home has since reached more than 45,000 students in the New York and Los Angeles areas through a dozen "Margaret's Places" -- named after Torre's mother -- where affected youth can go to talk to each other and professional counselors.

"Are we going to raise some money today? Sure," Torre said. "Are we going to be able to open another Margaret's Place? Yeah, hopefully that's the case. But more importantly, it's talking about it, gaining awareness, gaining more awareness. It's a subject that nobody wants to talk about -- or nobody wanted to talk about it.

"That's the important thing for me, to be able to reach youngsters that nobody pays attention to because they slip through the cracks unless we have this type of program."

Torre's friends came out in droves to support that goal Thursday. Former Yankees David Cone, Tino Martinez, Willie Randolph and Bucky Dent were among the 11 celebrities paired with a limited number of foursomes to play the course at Sleepy Hollow. Tony La Russa, who along with Torre will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame next weekend, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani also joined in on the fun.

"I love coming to this golf tournament and Joe's dinners, because the Safe At Home Foundation does great things for abused kids and gives them a place to go," said Martinez, who easily bested Giuliani in a celebratory first tee shot. "[It] really, really changes their life and makes life that much better in the future. It's just a great thing he's done."

Cone also comes to the tournament most years in support of Torre's "courageous effort" -- even, Torre made sure to note, when the former Yankees and Dodgers skipper moved to California, leaving his New York life behind most of the year.

"'Safe At Home' says it all," Cone said. "The tangible benefits of having centers built that you can see and go to and touch and feel, as opposed to money that you don't really know where it's going in a lot of charities. Joe did it right, and it's making an impact."

Tim Healey is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Betances not surprised by Jeter's All-Star showing

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 7/16/2014 2:13 A.M. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Dellin Betances used to be one of those kids spending a summer afternoon in the Yankee Stadium bleachers, so he never needed much of an introduction to Derek Jeter's flair for the dramatic moments.

Yet even Betances had to shake his head and laugh as Jeter rose to the occasion in his final All-Star Game on Tuesday night, stepping into the box after an extended standing ovation to lace a double to right field off the Cardinals' Adam Wainwright leading off the first inning.

Jeter also flared a third-inning single off the Reds' Alfredo Simon, finishing 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in the American League's 5-3 victory at Target Field.

"To be here with Jeet and he goes 2-for-2, it was a great experience, man," Betances said. "It was definitely special. Wainwright, classy guy. He definitely let Jeter get his ovation. Of course, Jeet is going to get a hit. What else do we expect?"

Betances, 25, was one of just two American League All-Stars who did not see action in Tuesday's game; Blue Jays hurler Mark Buehrle was also left out, while the National League did not use four players.

A first-time All-Star after posting a 1.46 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings, spanning 40 appearances, Betances said that he was not disappointed that Red Sox manager John Farrell couldn't work him into the contest.

"I enjoyed this experience. It's a very special experience," Betances said. "I guess I could use the rest. I'll take the extra days off and be ready to help the team win the division in the second half."

Betances said that he figured that he and Buehrle were being held out in case the game went to extra innings, as they could both have pitched multiple innings.

"For me, I try to enjoy it as much as I can," Betances said. "I would've loved to pitch, but I enjoyed this. Hopefully, next year things go my way and I get to participate again, or whenever that time is, I'll have a chance to pitch. The days off definitely will help."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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All-Stars reflect on Jeter's final Midsummer Classic

MINNEAPOLIS -- Derek Jeter's final All-Star Game went better than anyone could have anticipated.

The Yankees shortstop and captain had two hits -- a double and a single -- and scored the game's first run in his two at-bats. And when Jeter was pulled off the field to the strains of "New York, New York" and replaced in the top of the fourth inning, he was given a rousing ovation that included numerous tips of his own cap to the sellout crowd of 41,098 at Target Field.

"I thought it was great," Jeter said after his American League squad defeated the National League, 5-3. "I didn't know what was going to happen. My back was turned and I heard [Robinson] Cano yelling. Usually when he, yells I ignore him. And then I saw [Alexei] Ramirez come out. So it was a wonderful moment that I am always going to remember. I appreciate [manager] John [Farrell] doing that for me.

"But it was a special moment and it was unscripted, and like I said, I was unaware of it. The way the fans treated me, these are fans from all different teams, and fans have always been respectful of me my entire career, both at home and on the road. It was great for them to have that kind of reaction, especially in an All-Star Game."

Here's a sampling of what some his teammates and opposing players thought about playing with or against Jeter in his 14th and final All-Star Game.

From the AL

White Sox shortstop Ramirez on replacing Jeter in the game: "I wasn't expecting it, but the manager came up to me and asked me to go into the game in the fourth inning. It's such a great honor to have that moment with a legend of American baseball. I'm really proud to have had that moment. I was really nervous, because I'm replacing a person who is a superstar and has spent all of his life in baseball. For me, it was an honor. I took it as a sign of respect."

Farrell on how the decision was made to pull Jeter out: "It went back about a week ago. In talking with Joe Torre and others, they just kind of got my thoughts on how we looked to highlight Derek when he came out of the game, where he might hit in the lineup. We tried to get at least two at-bats for him. Pick either the fourth or the fifth inning when we went on the field for defense to highlight his replacement. You know what? He has a flare for the dramatic. As we know, he had two base hits and scored the first run. It worked out pretty well."

Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler: "It was funny to see him. The second round of applause, he wanted to play. He wasn't comfortable standing out there. Other than that, he did what he always does. He drives the ball to right field. He gets himself into position. He's a good player. Right off the bat, the first hitter of the game, he makes a diving play."

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu: "It's an incredible moment, but it's also a difficult moment to see his last All-Star Game, his last time coming off the field. But for me, for all of us in the dugout, it's a proud moment, a proud moment to share with him. Understanding what his career has been, what he has meant to the game of baseball, I have to thank God for giving me that moment with him, such a legend."

Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer: "It's just the icing on the cake. The All-Star Game is such a huge event and such a special moment for all of us. I had the opportunity last year to be a part of Mariano Rivera's last All-Star Game, and it was a special moment. It was the same with this year. Saying farewell to Derek is something that we'll all remember as well."

Angels left fielder and All-Star Game MVP Mike Trout on what he said to Jeter: "I can't even remember, it's been a whole blur these past couple of days just being a part of this moment. It's very special to me and my family."

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones: "It's sad to see him in his last All-Star Game. It's sad to see him go, that he's not going to be around in 2015. But the 20 years he gave baseball were unbelievable."

From the NL

NL manager Mike Matheny on the way the crowd reacted: "Yeah, it was the right thing. I think the people here in Minneapolis and the fans from all over the world that came here showed the kind of respect that he deserves. And once again, I can't think of many people who have taken the opportunity and the platform that Derek has and has done as much with it as what he's done. And the guys on our side have the utmost respect for him and would like to have been standing out there for a little while longer. I think Derek was the one that was uncomfortable with it. But everybody else knew that as long as we stood there and applauded him, it was right."

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley: "He deserves that if not more for all he has done for the game of baseball. He's going to be missed next year."

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton: "He stayed inside the ball just like he's done for 20-something years and he got that double, just classic Jeter. He deserves everything we did and more. His career stands for itself. It's the least we could do for him. It's unbelievable. There won't be another player like him forever, if not for 50-something years"

D-backs catcher Miguel Montero: "It was great to be in the last one Jeter played in. That was something special. It was awesome. It was an unforgettable experience. I can tell my kids, and they actually were in the stadium when daddy played against Jeter in his last All-Star Game."

Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy on being behind the plate for Jeter's first at-bat: "It was pretty awesome. I think that having a guy like Derek Jeter come up in that situation, it definitely was an honor for me to be a part of and neat to see. You kind of appreciate what it means to be a guy like that, who has played as long as he has and been successful as long as he has. He plays the game the right way and has always been a clean, hard-working, hard-playing guy, and I think everyone appreciates that."

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the big ovation: "I was trying to take it all in, a special moment, something I will remember forever. It was cool. You really can't put it into words, but it was awesome out there. It's Derek Jeter, the face of baseball. Hall of Famer, great guy on top of everything he does well on the field. I expected he'd get a special ovation."

Reds third baseman Todd Frazier: "That was cool. That was awesome. I liked the Bob Sheppard announcement: 'Now batting, No. 2…' I used to mimic him all the time. They did it up right. I was happy for him. He got two hits, unfortunately for the National League. He's a great athlete. He's a Hall of Famer. I'm very happy for the sendoff he had."

Barry M. Bloom is national reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Boomskie on Baseball. Follow @boomskie on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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MLB Notebook: Jeter, Trout exchange baton

On July 11, 1978, in San Diego, Giants left-hander Vida Blue -- honored with the starting assignment for the National League in the 49th All-Star Game -- immediately faced the unenviable task of trying to keep leadoff hitter Rod Carew off the bases.

As many pitchers did around this time, Blue failed, surrendering a triple to the lefty-swinging hitter, who just a year before had made a run at hitting .400. With Carew at third, George Brett -- who, in 1980, would replicate Carew's chase for a .400 season -- doubled against Blue and later scored to give the American League a 2-0 advantage in the first inning.

The dynamic duo would be at it again in the third, with Carew opening the inning with a triple and Brett again driving him in, this time on a sacrifice fly. Brett would later single, and although the AL lost for the seventh straight time, those two at the top of the Junior Circuit's starting lineup had done something no other teammates hitting first and second in an All-Star Game had ever done: each had at least two hits, each had at least one extra-base hit, and each scored at least one run.

Derek Jeter and Mike Trout, with their performances in Minnesota on Tuesday night, joined those two AL icons.

Captain goes out in style
In the 85th All-Star Game, the AL fell a single shy of hitting for the cycle while jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and it eventually came away with a 5-3 victory.

Jeter -- an All-Star for the 14th time -- led off for the AL and went 2-for-2 with a first-inning double and a single in the third. With the effort, Jeter finished his All-Star career with 13 hits in 27 at-bats (he's totaled 29 plate appearances) for a .481 career average.

There are 51 players who have collected at least 25 plate appearances in the Midsummer Classic. Among that group, Jeter's .481 mark is second to Charlie Gehringer's .500 (10-for-20 in 29 plate appearances).

Derek Jeter ranks second in batting average among players with at least 25 All-Star plate appearances.

Player	Avg.	PA
Charlie Gehringer	.500 (10-for-20)	29
Derek Jeter	.481 (13-for-27)	29
Ken Griffey, Jr.	.440 (11-for-25)	28
Billy Herman	.433 (13-for-30)	31
Steve Garvey	.393 (11-for-28)	30

• Jeter concluded his All-Star career tied for fifth all-time in hits, with those 13. The top four are Willie Mays (23), Stan Musial (20), Ted Williams (14) and Nellie Fox (14). At 13, Jeter is tied with Billy Herman, Hank Aaron, Brooks Robinson, Dave Winfield and Cal Ripken, Jr.

• Jeter became the 18th player with at least three multihit games in All-Star play (Mays leads with six). The others to have at least three as AL representatives: Gehringer, Fox, Robinson, Ken Griffey Jr. (each of these four with four), Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Carew, Brett and Ivan Rodriguez (all with three).

• Jeter became the 26th leadoff hitter to have an All-Star Game with at least two hits and a run scored, and he was one of 15 to also have an extra-base hit as part of the line. Among this group of 15, Jeter was the first since J.D. Drew in 2008 to do this, the first shortstop since Jose Reyes in '07, and the first AL shortstop since Dick McAuliffe in 1965.

• At 40 years and 19 days old, Jeter became the oldest player in All-Star history with a multihit game. He surpassed Yastrzemski, who was 39 years and 329 days old in 1979, when he had two singles. The previous oldest player with at least two hits and one going for extra bases had been Babe Ruth, who was 38 years and 150 days old in 1933, when he homered and singled.

Trout is game's big fish
Trout, at 22 years and 342 days old, tripled, doubled, drove in two runs, scored one and won the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet.

Some tidbits regarding his line:

• Trout is one of 20 players in All-Star Game history with at least two extra-base hits and two RBIs (the NL's Jonathan Lucroy also did this Tuesday -- more on him in a bit); Trout is the third youngest of the collection. Griffey Jr. was 22 years and 236 days old when he went 3-for-3 with a double, homer and two RBIs in a 13-6 victory in 1992. In the AL's 7-5 win in 1941, Williams -- 22 years and 312 days old at the time -- had doubled and had one RBI before his three-run walk-off homer in the ninth capped his day. The oldest player with at least two extra-base hits was Lou Gehrig, who was 34 years and 18 days old in 1937 when he doubled, homered and drove in four.

• Trout was the 10th AL player to post two extra-base hits and two RBIs, and the first to do it since Garret Anderson in 2003. The others: Earl Averill (1934), Gehrig ('37), Williams ('41 and '46), Al Rosen ('54), Griffey Jr. ('92), Kirby Puckett ('93) and Paul Konerko (2002).

Tigers roar for AL
In addition to Cabrera hitting the game's only home run, his Tigers teammate Max Scherzer came away with the win.

Scherzer was the fourth Tigers pitcher to record an All-Star victory, and the first since Jim Bunning in 1957 (Bunning started and hurled three perfect innings). Before Bunning, reliever Tommy Bridges picked up the victory in '39, and reliever Virgil Trucks got a win in '49.

Cabrera was the 13th Tigers player to homer in the All-Star Game, and the third to do it as the AL's cleanup hitter. His two predecessors in this latter lens: Al Kaline in 1960 and Rocky Colavito in '62. Before Cabrera, no Tigers player had homered in an All-Star Game since Lou Whitaker in '86. The only other Tigers first baseman to go yard in the Midsummer Classic was Rudy York in '42.

Here and there
• The all-time record now stands at 43 wins for the NL, 40 for the AL. There were ties in the second game played in 1961 and in 2002. Since Fred Lynn's grand slam in 1983 helped his league snap an 11-game losing streak to the Senior Circuit, the AL has won 22 of 32, and since 1997, has gone 14-3-1.

• As mentioned, Lucroy became one of 20 players in All-Star history to have at least two extra-base hits and two RBIs. The other NL players to accomplish the feat were Arky Vaughan (1941), Ernie Banks ('60), Willie McCovey ('69), Bobby Bonds ('73), Gary Carter ('81), Mike Schmidt ('81), Mike Piazza ('96), Andruw Jones (2003) and Albert Pujols ('04).

• Eleven AL pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts and one walk. The line marked the fifth time in All-Star Game history a league collected at least 13 K's, with the one walk marking the second-lowest total of free passes among the five. In 1967, five AL pitchers -- Dean Chance, Jim McGlothlin, Gary Peters, Al Downing and Catfish Hunter -- combined for 13 strikeouts and no walks in a 15-inning, 2-1 loss.

Roger Schlueter is senior researcher for MLB Productions. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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All-Stars reflect on Jeter's final Midsummer Classic

MINNEAPOLIS -- Derek Jeter's final All-Star Game went better than anyone could have anticipated.

The Yankees shortstop and captain had two hits -- a double and a single -- and scored the game's first run in his two at-bats. And when Jeter was pulled off the field to the strains of "New York, New York" and replaced in the top of the fourth inning, he was given a rousing ovation that included numerous tips of his own cap to the sellout crowd of 41,098 at Target Field.

"I thought it was great," Jeter said after his American League squad defeated the National League, 5-3. "I didn't know what was going to happen. My back was turned and I heard [Robinson] Cano yelling. Usually when he, yells I ignore him. And then I saw [Alexei] Ramirez come out. So it was a wonderful moment that I am always going to remember. I appreciate [manager] John [Farrell] doing that for me.

"But it was a special moment and it was unscripted, and like I said, I was unaware of it. The way the fans treated me, these are fans from all different teams, and fans have always been respectful of me my entire career, both at home and on the road. It was great for them to have that kind of reaction, especially in an All-Star Game."

Here's a sampling of what some his teammates and opposing players thought about playing with or against Jeter in his 14th and final All-Star Game.

From the AL

White Sox shortstop Ramirez on replacing Jeter in the game: "I wasn't expecting it, but the manager came up to me and asked me to go into the game in the fourth inning. It's such a great honor to have that moment with a legend of American baseball. I'm really proud to have had that moment. I was really nervous, because I'm replacing a person who is a superstar and has spent all of his life in baseball. For me, it was an honor. I took it as a sign of respect."

Farrell on how the decision was made to pull Jeter out: "It went back about a week ago. In talking with Joe Torre and others, they just kind of got my thoughts on how we looked to highlight Derek when he came out of the game, where he might hit in the lineup. We tried to get at least two at-bats for him. Pick either the fourth or the fifth inning when we went on the field for defense to highlight his replacement. You know what? He has a flare for the dramatic. As we know, he had two base hits and scored the first run. It worked out pretty well."

Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler: "It was funny to see him. The second round of applause, he wanted to play. He wasn't comfortable standing out there. Other than that, he did what he always does. He drives the ball to right field. He gets himself into position. He's a good player. Right off the bat, the first hitter of the game, he makes a diving play."

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu: "It's an incredible moment, but it's also a difficult moment to see his last All-Star Game, his last time coming off the field. But for me, for all of us in the dugout, it's a proud moment, a proud moment to share with him. Understanding what his career has been, what he has meant to the game of baseball, I have to thank God for giving me that moment with him, such a legend."

Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer: "It's just the icing on the cake. The All-Star Game is such a huge event and such a special moment for all of us. I had the opportunity last year to be a part of Mariano Rivera's last All-Star Game, and it was a special moment. It was the same with this year. Saying farewell to Derek is something that we'll all remember as well."

Angels left fielder and All-Star Game MVP Mike Trout on what he said to Jeter: "I can't even remember, it's been a whole blur these past couple of days just being a part of this moment. It's very special to me and my family."

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones: "It's sad to see him in his last All-Star Game. It's sad to see him go, that he's not going to be around in 2015. But the 20 years he gave baseball were unbelievable."

From the NL

NL manager Mike Matheny on the way the crowd reacted: "Yeah, it was the right thing. I think the people here in Minneapolis and the fans from all over the world that came here showed the kind of respect that he deserves. And once again, I can't think of many people who have taken the opportunity and the platform that Derek has and has done as much with it as what he's done. And the guys on our side have the utmost respect for him and would like to have been standing out there for a little while longer. I think Derek was the one that was uncomfortable with it. But everybody else knew that as long as we stood there and applauded him, it was right."

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley: "He deserves that if not more for all he has done for the game of baseball. He's going to be missed next year."

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton: "He stayed inside the ball just like he's done for 20-something years and he got that double, just classic Jeter. He deserves everything we did and more. His career stands for itself. It's the least we could do for him. It's unbelievable. There won't be another player like him forever, if not for 50-something years"

D-backs catcher Miguel Montero: "It was great to be in the last one Jeter played in. That was something special. It was awesome. It was an unforgettable experience. I can tell my kids, and they actually were in the stadium when daddy played against Jeter in his last All-Star Game."

Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy on being behind the plate for Jeter's first at-bat: "It was pretty awesome. I think that having a guy like Derek Jeter come up in that situation, it definitely was an honor for me to be a part of and neat to see. You kind of appreciate what it means to be a guy like that, who has played as long as he has and been successful as long as he has. He plays the game the right way and has always been a clean, hard-working, hard-playing guy, and I think everyone appreciates that."

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the big ovation: "I was trying to take it all in, a special moment, something I will remember forever. It was cool. You really can't put it into words, but it was awesome out there. It's Derek Jeter, the face of baseball. Hall of Famer, great guy on top of everything he does well on the field. I expected he'd get a special ovation."

Reds third baseman Todd Frazier: "That was cool. That was awesome. I liked the Bob Sheppard announcement: 'Now batting, No. 2…' I used to mimic him all the time. They did it up right. I was happy for him. He got two hits, unfortunately for the National League. He's a great athlete. He's a Hall of Famer. I'm very happy for the sendoff he had."

Barry M. Bloom is national reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Boomskie on Baseball. Follow @boomskie on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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