"Ichiro's briefest All-Star appearance in a decade of Mid-Summer Classics wasn't without its moments.

In three innings before being replaced in the lineup by hometown favorite Torii Hunter of the Angels, Ichiro made a nice running, back-handed catch in the first inning to rob Albert Pujols of a bid for extra bases.

"It felt great, obviously, when you make a play like that," Ichiro said through interpreter Antony Suzuki. "It was also different because usually when you make that kind of catch here, Angel Stadium, all the fans boo and say bad stuff to you. But here, at the All-Star Game, they were all happy I made that catch. That was different."

In two plate appearances in the AL's 3-1 defeat, Ichiro popped out to shortstop in the first inning as the first hitter to face Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez, the National League starter, and struck out swinging against Florida's Josh Johnson in the third. It was only his third whiff in 28 All-Star plate appearances, the others coming against Brad Penny (2006) and Dan Haren (2008).

Ichiro's other contribution to the AL cause came before the game, when he was called upon in the pregame team meeting to give his annual inspirational speech. Actually, it's more like an obscenity-laced monologue, to the never-ending amusement of his teammates."