By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Tuesday's game

CHICAGO - Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens arrived at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday after a whirlwind journey from his home in Houston.

Clemens, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, replaced Oakland pitcher Barry Zito but didn't get the call until Monday. Zito had thrown 106 pitches in a game against the Orioles on Sunday.

"It will be my last All-Star Game and this is my last year (in the majors), so I'll try and enjoy it as much as I can," Clemens said. "I want my family to enjoy it. It was their decision that I'm here."

Clemens, who had pitched in seven All-Star Games entering Tuesday, drove 90 minutes to catch a plane in College Station, Texas.

But the trip was in danger because of Hurricane Claudette.

"I didn't think we were coming, just for the fact that we couldn't get a plane through that weather," said Clemens, who won his 300th game earlier this season. "The winds were very heavy; they still may be. ... We had our fingers crossed for good weather. The pilots were great, and I'm here."

TRIPLE CROWN: Nobody has captured baseball's Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski did it with the Red Sox in 1967.

Based on his numbers at the All-Star break, Cardinals outfielder Albert Pujols could end that drought.

Pujols finished the first half leading the National League in batting average (.368), ranked second with 86 RBI and third with 27 homers.

"I don't talk about the Triple Crown," Pujols said. "That's something that if it's going to happen, it's going to happen.

"I can't be thinking about it. It's already tough enough to hit the ball. You can't think about other stuff, because it'll drive you crazy."

Cincinnati Reds' Aaron Boone (left) and his brother, Bret, from the Seattle Mariners (second from right), pose with their grandfather, Ray, and father, Bob, right, before the 74th All-Star Game at U.S. Cellular Field. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

FAMILY REUNION: After the team photos and before Tuesday's game started, four members of the Boone family gathered near third base at U.S. Cellular Field for one more picture.

With Reds third baseman Aaron Boone selected to play in his first All-Star Game, the Boones are baseball's only family with four All-Stars.

"Heck, I was excited when we got to three generations," said Ray Boone, the patriarch of the family who played in the 1954 and 1956 All-Star Games. "Now there are four of us. It's pretty outstanding. That's a lot of All-Stars."

Bob Boone, the Reds' manager, was an All-Star in 1976, '78, '79 and '83. Mariners second baseman Bret Boone played in his third All-Star Game on Tuesday.

JUST A PITCHER: Upon seeing the crowd gathered around the 21-year-old, Rockies outfielder Preston Wilson just had to chime in.

"Hey, rook," he said. "How's it going?"

Dontrelle Willis, the Marlins' phenom pitcher, smiled and then continued his latest round of interviews.

The left-hander went 9-1 with a 2.08 ERA and has helped re-energize South Florida baseball fans.

"It's been very much a surprise," Willis said. "I love it. But I wouldn't call it saving a franchise. I think we've got a lot of talent and we're gelling.

"We're playing good ball right now. I think the fans in South Florida are starting to catch on."

ONE MAN'S TAKE: When the second half begins Thursday, the National League Central will be baseball's tightest race.

The Astros are one game ahead of the Cardinals, three in front of the Cubs and 6 1/2 ahead of Cincinnati.

"We just beat on each other," Astros closer Billy Wagner said. "I don't think you can tell who's better. All the teams at the top are as good as one another. It's going to be who's hot at the right time."

ODDS AND ENDS: Longtime Reds infielder Dave Concepcion spent several minutes on the field during batting practice.