Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

When friends told me this week, "Nobody cares who wins baseball's All-Star Game," I bit my lip. I might be on the south side of middle age, yet I care desperately who wins the All-Star Game.

It goes back to my childhood, I assume, when the National League routinely knocked the American League's socks off -- Red Sox, White Sox, you name it. I wept when Sam McDowell blew the 1965 game in the 10th inning in Minnesota, but I was only 10. Five years later, McDowell, on of my all-time heroes, would have been the winner until the N.L.. rallied to tie the score 5-5 in the 9th inning.

Worse, the Senior Circuit won when Pete Rose crashed into Tribe catcher Ray Fosse, scoring the winning run, the following inning. Fosse, who'd been having a great year, was never quite the same after that. He admitted some years later, his shoulder was so badly damaged in the collision, he never had the same arm strength again, which affected his throwing and batting.

Fast forward to 1997, and another Indians catcher, Sandy Alomar Jr., clouted the decisive home run before the home fans at Jacobs Field. He won the MVP award and went on to have the best year of his career. The Tribe advanced to the World Series and came within two outs of winning it all.

Which brings us to 2007. Victor Martinez, thanks to his 2-run pinch-hit homer in the 8th inning, provided the margin of difference in last night's A.L. triumph over the N.L., 5-4. C.C. Sabathia pitched a scoreless inning, and Grady Sizemore also got some playing time in right and center field (even though he fanned on three pitches in his only time at bat).

All in all, a most satisfying night for the Tribesmen and the American League all-stars. I can't help but think perhaps it's some kind of sign of good things to come during the second half of the season. We can only hope.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: The Indians acquired minor league shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera for first-baseman Eduardo Perez.

Name the "throw-in" in the Sam McDowell for Gaylord Perry trade who ended up starting at shortstop for six seasons for the Tribe.

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-- Kevin Cuneo