BATTLE STARS?

Published 9:00 pm Monday, July 9, 2001

Eight Mariners prepare for baseball’s Midsummer Classic – and the hot talk may make for a wild and crazy contest

By Kirby Arnold

Herald Writer

SEATTLE — Curt Schilling isn’t here to lose a baseball game. Or, apparently, to promote international good will.

That became clear not long after the Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander was introduced to the media Monday morning as the National League’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game tonight at Safeco Field.

Asked by a Japanese reporter if he would like to strike out Seattle Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki, Schilling delivered an honest answer with the brute force of a chin-high fastball.

"One thing a veteran pitcher told me a long time ago is that as an opposing pitcher, you have the ability to shut up a stadium," Schilling said. "I have the ability to shut up a country for a few minutes."

With a comment like that, he already might have.

Even if Schilling shuts up Japan, he’ll still have to silence Seattle tonight.

It’s not just Schilling vs. the Japanese. It’s Schilling and the National League against the Mariners and a few of their invited friends in the 72nd All-Star Game.

Four Mariners were selected as starters for the American League in fan voting — Suzuki in the outfield, Bret Boone at second base, Edgar Martinez at designated hitter and John Olerud at first base. Four others also were named to the team by AL manager Joe Torre — pitchers Freddy Garcia, Kazuhiro Sasaki and Jeff Nelson and outfielder Mike Cameron.

How powerful is the American League lineup?

Martinez, who hits third for the Mariners, will bat seventh for the AL, which makes a person wonder how closely Torre consulted the book on Martinez vs. Schilling.

"I faced him once in the All-Star Game in Cleveland (1997) and once in spring training," Martinez said without offering the results of those at-bats.

So someone asked.

"I got a base hit off him in Cleveland," Martinez said.

And in spring training?

"A home run. It was two good at-bats."

Not bad for a No. 7 hitter.

"It’s not important where you hit in a game like this," Martinez said. "The important thing is that you’re selected."

Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez dropped even further, batting ninth.

"That’s a pretty good team when you have Pudge batting ninth," Torre said.

Boone, who will bat fourth, isn’t just a surprise at the cleanup spot, he’s still in shock over the All-Star season he has put together. He’s a career .255 hitter who is batting .324 with 22 home runs and a league-best 84 RBI (tied with Boston’s Manny Ramirez) this season.

"If you’d asked me before the season if I’d be in the All-Star Game, I’d have laughed," Boone said. "I’m still laughing right now.

"I came into a great situation (with the Mariners) hitting fifth with several great hitters around me. I’ve had a lot of opportunities. I wouldn’t have the RBIs I have without a great team around me."

That great team, like tonight’s one-time-only lineup, starts with Suzuki.

He will be the first rookie voted to start an All-Star Game since Sandy Alomar Jr. in 1990 and just the second rookie outfielder ever voted to start.

Suzuki, who remained humble throughout the voting period despite his sizable lead, wouldn’t drop that guard much when asked if he should be recognized as one of the greatest players in the world.

"I don’t think I can say that," said Suzuki, who will start in center field. "I have played only three months. Maybe being here in the All-Star Game is a starting point and I can establish myself as a good player."

Yeah right. And Roger Clemens will be a dominant pitcher someday, too.

Clemens, making his eighth All-Star appearance, will start for the first time since 1986 when he was with the Red Sox. It could be a sentimental journey for the New York Yankees’ right-hander who is the only pitcher in history to win five Cy Young Awards.

"Until I actually make that stroll to the bullpen to warm up, I wonder how I’m going to feel, how my emotions are going to feel," Clemens said. "This could be my last go-round, to have an opportunity in a game like this."