SEATTLE - Tony Gwynn didn't seem to mind that Cal Ripken Jr. hogged the All-Star spotlight.

Tony Gwynn salutes the fans after receiving the Historic Achievement Award. | ZOOM |

        The two retiring baseball greats came here for an All-Star Game farewell, but Ripken went home with the MVP trophy after hitting a dramatic third-inning home run in the American League's 4-1 win.

        “It happened on his night. He's the MVP,” Gwynn said. “It's a storybook story. It was unbelievable.”

        Midway through the game, Ripken and Gwynn — surrounded by All-Stars — were honored with the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award.

        The AL warmed up for the sixth inning with video highlights of Ripken and Gwynn playing on the Safeco Field scoreboard. Troy Glaus ran onto the field to replace Ripken, who was showered with cheers.

Gwynn and Cal Ripken shake hands. Behind them, Sean Casey shakes with Commissioner Bud Selig. | ZOOM |

        Gwynn walked onto the field for the ceremony and All-Stars poured out of both dugouts in a sign of appreciation toward two of the greatest players of this generation.

        “Wow. It's like a dream come true,” Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa said of Ripken's homer. “It doesn't get better than that as a human being. That's a great feeling, especially because he announced his retirement and came and put a shot like that. That's amazing. He is the man.”

        Ripken and Gwynn announced their retirement days apart in June. Ripken was then voted on to the AL All-Star team and Gwynn was added to the NL squad as an honorary player.

        It's only fitting that Ripken and Gwynn leave baseball's center stage together. They both came up in the early '80s, were perennial All-Stars and turned down countless millions of dollars to remain with their teams.

        They are members of the 3,000-hit club and should enter the Hall of Fame together in 2007. Gwynn has 3,126 hits, two more than Ripken.

        “The outpouring of love Cal and I received was unbelievable,” Gwynn said. “I can understand it for Cal. I have a hard time understanding it for me.”

        The goodbyes to Gwynn and Ripken turned some of the game's biggest stars into little kids scrounging for souvenirs. Alex Rodriguez was hoping to swipe a shoe or bat from Ripken, Bret Boone was hoping for a signed lineup card.

        Ripken is one of only seven players to have at least 3,000 hits and 400 homers, won two MVP awards and has been selected to an AL-record 19 All-Star teams.

        Gwynn's career has been nearly as good. He has a lifetime .338 average, the highest of any player who began his career after World War II. Gwynn has hit above .300 in 18 straight seasons, breaking Honus Wagner's NL record, and his eight NL batting titles are tied with Wagner for the most in the NL.

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