Trout, Jeter Power American League To All Star Victory

For nearly two decades now, the American League has flat out dominated the National League in the midsummer classic. In the last 17 years at the All Star Game, the American league has now won 13 of them, not including the one tie. Last night the American League locked up home field advantage in the World Series, on the strength of the 5-3 win at Target Field. The night was an emotion charged night, as it saw the end of one all star career, and possibly the kickstart of another all star career.

The send off last night was for Derek Jeter, who was playing in his 14th and final all star game in his hall of fame career. Jeter lead the game off for the American League, receiving a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 41,048 in Minnesota. Jeter then proceeded to go 2 for 2 at the plate, scored one run. He also proceeded to make an outstanding play to start the game off in the field, but wasn't quite able to throw out Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates. Jeter played through the 4th inning, before being replaced by Alexei Ramírez of the White Sox. When Jeter came off the field, he received another standing ovation and even pulled off a curtain call. This wasn't quite as flashy as the All Star sendoff that Mariano Rivera got at least years game at Citi Field, it was still very deserving for a guy of Jeter's talent and his personality.

Thanks to his 2 for 2 performance in this years midsummer classic, Jeter finished his career hitting .481 in the All-Star game (13 for 27), which ranks him fifth all-time (among players with at least 10 at-bats). At 40, Jeter also became the oldest player to have two or more hits in an All-Star Game.

After Jeter collected his first hit, the young guns started to take over. Mike Trout of the Angels followed up with a run scoring triple, then Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers capped the opening inning off with a very impressive two run homer. This game really was a statement by Mike Trout. Trout walked away with the MVP award for the game, going two for two with a triple double and two RBI. His first inning triple knocked in Jeter to open the scoring. Then Trout put the AL ahead for good with an RBI double in the fifth, a bouncer over third base against St. Louis reliever Pat Neshek.

Trout became the youngest All-Star MVP, about 3 1/2 months younger than Ken Griffey Jr. was in 1992. Trout becomes the 4th player to win the All Star game MVP award playing for the Angels, joining Leon Wagner (1962), Fred Lynn (1983) and Garret Anderson (2003). This night, in my book, was kind of seen as a bit of a passing of the torch. You saw the final All Star game in the hall of fame career of Derek Jeter, and the big coming out statement from Mike Trout, who has the potential to win many MVP's in this midsummer classic.

The American League improved to 9-3 since the All-Star Game started deciding which league gets World Series home-field advantage. The only times the National League has pulled off wins in the All Star game were 2010-2012. The American League has won the last two games. Whichever team comes out of the American League, by the time we get to the World Series, will have a serious advantage in the Fall Classic. The team that has the potential to host four of the seven World Series games has won 23 of the past 28 titles. Even though the American League has dominated the last few years at the All Star game, the National League is 43-40-2, with the two ties coming in 1961 and 2002.