Brian Dozier can do no wrong right now.
After being named to the All-Star team as a replacement for the injured Jose Bautista, Dozier is entitled to a gift, right?
When Glen Perkins was named to the team last week, his wife, Alisha, surprised him with a Porsche. So what should Dozier's wife, Renee, get him? After all, Dozier did homer in the game.
``I'm not a car guy," Dozier said. ``If you want to buy me something, buy me some more duck hunting land."
Boy, he's easy.
Dozier fell behind 0-2 against Pittsburgh closer Mark Melancon, then took a pitch inside for ball one. He had an idea what was coming next.
``He missed the previous one with a cutter in," Dozier said, ``and I thought (catcher Yadier) Molina was probably going back to the curveball he started me off with."
Dozier was right.
``He probably wanted to come back inside there and he left it middle in," Dozier said.
It's time for a list! Here are all the Twins home runs in the All-Star Game:
All-Star notes: Home runs and more home runs
The American League wins 6-3. Dozier homers. Perkins pitches a scoreless ninth.
1961 — Harmon Killebrew, solo HR off SF's Mike McCormick, Candlestick Park
1965 — Harmon Killebrew, two-run HR off Cin's Jim Maloney, Metropolitan Stadium
1971 — Harmon Killebrew, two-run HR off Chi's Ferguson Jenkins, Tiger Stadium
1993 — Kirby Puckett, solo HR off Phi's Terry Mulholland, Camden Yards
2015 — Brian Dozier, solo HR off Pit's Mark Melancon, Great American Ball Park
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Speaking of home runs, Mike Trout mighta, sorta called his shot in the first inning on Tuesday.
``I think I overhead him call it," said Dozier, who was a little nervous about providing details. ``We were joking around, `Go out there and make it 1-0,' and he kind of agreed."
According to Dozier, Trout replied, ``O.K," and went out and hit an opposite field home run.
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We reported in today's editions that the family of the late Herb Carneal donated a couple of rings to be auctioned off in Cincinnati during the Fan Fest. Carneal's 1965 AL Championship ring went for $8,050.00 and his 1987 World Championship ring went for $10,925.
It was quite an event. One of the big ticker items was Roy Campanella's 1953 National League Most Valuable Player Award. That went for $150,000.
Chris Sale was one of the ace left-handers Tarik Skubal idolized as a teenager. Now the two will be linked forever after winning their first Cy Young Awards on Wednesday.
