Cal Ripken, making his 17th consecutive All-Star appearance, 16th as a starter, was asked about the changing of the guard in baseball. There are 24 first-time All-Stars in this year's game.
''In the beginning, there were a lot of the same guys,'' he said, ''then all of a sudden, you'd get to the clubhouse and look around and there would be a whole new group of young, talented players.
''The game evolves with the changing of the guard. I've gone from being the youngest guy to the oldest [he'll be 39 Aug. 24]. You look at some of these 21-year-olds, they have birthdays close to when you graduated from high school.''
Orioles righthander Mike Mussina, on whether Pedro Martinez will wear down in the second half of the season in his attempt to become the first pitcher since Denny McLain in 1968 to win 30 games.
''It's a long year,'' Mussina said. ''Whether you're built like Pedro and I, who have essentially the same build, or Randy Johnson at 6 feet 10 inches, it's a long year, putting your arm and body through that 35, 36 times a year. It's a grind. It's not easy to do. If he does stay healthy, pitches well, and actually accomplishes this, it'll be an amazing year.''
New York, New York
After fielding the standard questions about repeating as world champions, playing in New York, and not being voted the American League's starting shortstop, the Yankees' Derek Jeter was asked what he does with his money? Does he invest in stocks and bonds? Does he save it? ''I give it to my mother,'' he said. ''That way I know it's OK.''
Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams will roam the outfield tonight as an AL reserve. The irony is he could have roamed the Fenway outfield on a permanent basis. Williams was a highly coveted free agent this past offseason before signing a long-term deal with New York. Yesterday he reflected on how close he was to signing with the Red Sox. ''I don't know what kind of reception I'll get with the crowd, but I'll enjoy it. A lot of credit to them, because even though I was a Yankee they still wanted me. I don't know if I was going to make the All-Star team, but I came very close to wearing a Red Sox uniform. I have no regrets. You can't start thinking `what if?' It's just a great situation for me. I'm playing for a great team and I'll be there for a while.''
AL manager Joe Torre has fond memories of Fenway. Torre made a triumphant return to the dugout in May after recovering from prostate cancer surgery, receiving a standing ovation from the Fenway crowd when he brought out the Yankees' lineup card. ''It was something,'' he said. ''People getting on their feet. And this is supposed to be where the Yankees are hated and I was very moved by the reception, no question.''
Friendly competition
Sean Elliott won the race. ''We always talked about seeing who would be the first one to win a championship,'' said Kenny Lofton. ''He kind of beat me to the punch.''
The San Antonio Spurs forward and Indians center fielder were basketball teammates at the University of Arizona and went to the 1988 Final Four together. Elliott was the smooth-shooting forward. Lofton was the speedy point guard.
Although Elliott now has the ring, Lofton still holds individual bragging rights. Tonight is his sixth All-Star Game.
Lofton said he was thoroughly engaged in rooting home the Spurs. ''It pumped me up watching him play,'' he said. ''I felt like I was right there with them. It got to the point where I probably wasn't even playing my game.''
Baines on board
Long known as the Quiet Man's Quiet Man, Harold Baines insists he is very enthused about being selected to replace Jose Canseco on the American League team.
''I'm very excited - inwardly,'' he said. ''I think you know I don't show much on the outside. At the tender age of 40, I'm very pleased.''
The self-effacing Oriole designated hitter, who last appeared in the All-Star Game eight years ago, is happy that his return to the midsummer classic is at Fenway. ''It's always been a good park, hitting-wise, for me,'' he said.
At least one Baltimore teammate is as happy for Baines as he is for himself. ''Harold has always been a proud professional,'' saluted Ripken. ''He handles himself with pride and class, and he is a great hitter. It seems he gets more and more power as he gets older, and he's still one of the best clutch hitters in the game. I rank him right there with Eddie Murray.''
A perfect fit
Tigers catcher Brad Ausmus, who grew up in Cheshire, Conn., and attended Dartmouth, said playing his first All-Star Game at Fenway Park ''couldn't be more perfect.'' Ausmus, a Red Sox fan, inherited his love for the team from his mother, Lin, a Brookline native. Ausmus attended his first Sox game with his mother when he was seven, right around the time he crafted a sign that still hangs in his parents' home. The sign, made out of beads, says: ''Yankees Stink.''
Future stars
Jose Rosado on his rookie teammates with the Royals, outfielder Carlos Beltran and second baseman Carlos Febles: ''Remember those names, because someday they're going to be like Robbie Alomar and Ken Griffey.'' ... This is the first time since 1980 there are two Jewish All-Stars (Ausmus and Blue Jays outfielder Shawn Green). Steve Stone and Hall of Famer Rod Carew, both Jewish, were All-Stars in 1980 ... One of the most besieged players for autographs during last night's festivities was not on the field, but in the walkway behind Section 17 - former Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant ... Among the hordes descending on the field during batting practices last night was a Bermuda short-clad gent making the rounds of media and players. It was none other than Jim Corsi, released by the Red Sox last month and now Triple A property of the Orioles. ''I'm surviving,'' he said.
Compiled by Gordon Edes, Bob Ryan, Michael Madden, and Steve Fainaru of the Globe Staff, and correspondent Michael Smith.
