1.   He mentions the fun and excitement surrounding midsummer classics.

2.   Injuries will prevent Ken Griffey Jr., Matt Williams, Mark McGwire, Ozzie Smith and Greg Maddux from playing in the midsummer classic.

3.   Mantle stretched the truth to dramatize his casual attitude toward the midsummer classics.

4.   Nomo will be the first Japanese-born player to play in the midsummer classic.

5.   That loss continues as baseball brings the All-Star Game, its midsummer classic, to Turner Field on Tuesday.

6.   Three years after that midsummer classic, the son of Larry Byrd came back to Fenway Wednesday night and threw a triple-double at the Red Sox.

7.   And, best of all, Andres Galarraga made an emotional, triumphant return to the midsummer classic as a cancer survivor.

8.   It will be his fifth trip to the midsummer classic.

9.   That was the year Jackson led off the midsummer classic at Anaheim with a long home run to center field.