WATCH: Classic ⚾: Ripken's glorious final All-Star Game
Cal Ripken Jr.'s farewell tour at the end of a 21-year career provided the Hall of Famer with the ultimate curtain call at the 2001 All-Star Game.
The legendary Baltimore Orioles infielder shifted almost exclusively from shortstop to third base from the 1997 season onward, but Texas Rangers superstar Alex Rodriguez insisted that Ripken switch spots with him.
As nice a gesture as that was, Ripken's solo home run off Chan Ho Park to lead off the third inning felt even more like something out of a storybook - or a less bittersweet version of 1984 film "The Natural."
Ripken's exit coincided with Ichiro Suzuki's arrival. The outfielder appeared in his first All-Star Game hosted at his Seattle Mariners' home ballpark, Safeco Field.
Watch live as MLB streams the 2001 Midsummer Classic here: