Steinbrenner gets a hand

Yankees' owner introduced during pregame ceremony

NEW YORK -- An emotional George Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ principal owner, delivered four baseballs to the mound as part of the pregame ceremonies for the All-Star Game. It was Steinbrenner’s first visit to Yankee Stadium this season.

After the All-Star teams and 49 Hall of Famers were introduced, Joe Buck, the Fox broadcaster, referred to a special guest sitting in a golf cart in left field. It was Steinbrenner, who wept as he was driven across the outfield warning track and onto the field. He received a polite ovation.

When the golf cart reached the mound, Steinbrenner handed the baseballs to Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson and Goose Gossage, the Yankees’ four Hall of Famers who were on the field. Ford and Berra kissed Steinbrenner, and Jackson and Gossage hugged him.

Steinbrenner’s health has eroded in recent years, and he has not been as much of a presence, physically or vocally, around the Yankees.

Steinbrenner, who turned 78 on July 4, has owned the team since 1973. Commissioner Bud Selig cited Steinbrenner while explaining how logical it was to have the All-Star Game here in the final year of the current Stadium.

Once Steinbrenner handed off the baseballs, Berra tossed his first pitch to manager Joe Girardi, Jackson threw his to Alex Rodriguez, Gossage fired his to Mariano Rivera and Ford floated his to Derek Jeter. So it was a catcher to a catcher, a power hitter to a power hitter, a closer to a closer and, in the only asymmetrical coupling, a pitcher to a shortstop.

“He should be honored,” Jeter said about Steinbrenner before the game. “He’s arguably the most recognized owner in all of sports. What he’s done with this organization, the way he wants to win every single year, he’s willing to do whatever it takes. People really appreciate him.”

Steinbrenner was joined in the cart by his son Hal; his daughter Jennifer; his son-in-law Felix Lopez; his personal assistant John Sibyan; and the driver.

The ceremony started with the Hall of Famers being introduced as they stood on white stars by their positions.

After players from a specific position were introduced, the American and National League starters joined them. For instance, Kevin Youkilis and Lance Berkman stood on blue and red stars, respectively, beside the Hall of Fame first basemen. It ended with Steinbrenner being celebrated, and crying through it.