This Week In Yankees Baseball: Derek Jeter All-Star Honors

Well, hello there, everybody. Welcome to This Week In Yankees Baseball. It was a short week for The Boys From The Bronx, as All-Star Game festivities took center stage.

The week started as Chase Whitley took the mound for the Yanks on Sunday on short rest. Whitley surrendered three runs to the Birds in 3.1 innings of work. And Brett Gardner provided all of the Yankees offense, with a solo home run. The game was shortened by rain as Baltimore won 3-1.

So all eyes turned to the All-Star Game on Tuesday night. With the dramatic entry of Mariano Rivera in last year´s game, fans tuned in to see what Major League Baseball had in store for Derek Jeter. Jeter held up his part of the bargain with two hits including a first inning double. He came to the plate amid applause from everyone, including all of the players. The Captain then delighted fans with his patented inside out swing to deposit the ball down the line in right field.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

After  two at bats, everyone waited to see how his all star career would conclude. Finally, when Jeter was called back to the dugout from his position, fans stood and cheered. He tipped his cap to the fans, and even came back  for a curtain call. Back in the dugout, Jeter went down the line and hugged all of his teammates.

The American League chose to save Dellin Betances in case the contest headed to an extra inning show down. Fearful of facing the sensational Yankee reliever, the National League relinquished in nine innings instead. It was Betances´first all star selection.

On Friday, the Yankees got back to work. Carlos Beltran came back from his short stay on the DL and contributed immediately with two hits and an RBI. Brian McCann continued his pre- all star hot hitting with an RBI, and Jacoby Ellsbury homered as the Yankees got the stretch drive going with a 4-3 win over the Reds.

David Phelps went 6.1 strong innings, striking out seven and allowing just two earned runs.  Betances struck out three and David Robertson earned his 24th save to finish it up.

Off the field, news came this week that CC Sabathia will have season ending surgery. We look forward to you coming back strong next season, big fella. And Masahiro Tanaka is striving to avoid reconstructive surgery at the conclusion of his six week rehab.

Jeter passed Omar Vizquel for the most starts at short stop in MLB history. Congratulations again, Derek! And we all look forward to your big ceremony at Yankee Stadium on September 7.

How about that!