by Kahlil Najar

Giddy kids – high five-ing – laughing and looking in awe.

That’s what the A’s All-Stars looked like these past few days. From the excitement of seeing their own teammate come up big in the Home Run Derby to each of them playing in the All-Star game, the A’s came to play and all contributed.

Derek Norris was the star of the A’s last night as he singled and scored the go-ahead run to give the AL a 5-3 win.

With the win, the AL now has home field advantage in the World Series and that wasn’t lost on pitcher Sean Doolittle.

“Hopefully in several months we can look back and talk about how we were able to give ourselves home-field advantage. A lot can happen between now and then, of course, but we know what the goal is. It’s good knowing we had somewhat of a part in it. [Mike] Trout and [Miguel] Cabrera helped, too, which is weird to say,” said Doolittle with a smile on his face.

He continued, “That was right up there with my debut [and] first time pitching in the playoffs. It was an awesome rush. I’m probably going to have to go back and watch it, so I actually remember what happened.”

On having his teammates on the field, Derek Norris said, “To be able to have that many guys on the field with the same jersey on, it’s something special.”

Something not lost on the guys last night was that this was Jeter’s night. For the A’s players this was their first time in the game but for Jeter this was old hat.

“He’s been so influential throughout the game of baseball and for my first All-Star Game, to be beside him for his last, I can’t say I even dreamed of it, because as a kid, Jeter is on this huge platform, and it’s something you’re trying to get to but don’t actually think you will.” said Josh Donaldson.

“It’s a privilege to be out there with one of the greatest players to have ever played the game in his last All-Star Game, I’ll definitely remember this for a very long time,” echoed Norris.

This was a special time for these players and the A’s organization. Going into the second half of the year all eyes will be on these 7 All-Stars and deservedly so.