So, who else would you expect to throw out the first ball at a game in Toledo. Right, none other than Toledo’s most famous native son, Jamie Farr (aka Max Klinger on M*A*S*H). Speaking of M*A*S*H, Farr is joined by fellow M*A*S*H star Mike Farrell.

Not to play second fiddle to any league, the AAA All-Star game in Toledo had it’s share (if not more) of color with a parade of mascots led by Muddy and Madonna, the mascots of the home Toledo Mud Hens.

If anything could sum up what it was like to be part of all-star week, it was the fireworks that signaled the end of Day one of the MLB Futures Game and Celebrity Softball events.

Part of the fun for us at the Major League Baseball All-Star game in Pittsburgh was seeing the mascots up close and personal. We got to shake hands (so to speak) with Billy (the Marlins mascot) and Louseal (the Giants mascot). Lots of others (Redbird, Mr. Met, Philly Fanatic…) are also featured.

Minor league mascots to come!

For Arizona Diamonbacks’ prized rookie Stephen Drew, it was a week to remember–and we were there to enjoy it.

As this clip shows, Drew played the in the Futures Game preceding All-Star Sunday in Pittsburgh. He then trekked west to Toledo to take part in the AAA All-Star Game. And then, as I read in the paper, he was called up to the Diamondbacks a few days ago.

The coolest part, for us, was during the player introduction ceremony in Toledo. Each player tossed an autographed plush baseball into the stands after he was into. In a heavy drizzle, as Drew came out of the dugout, my producer yelled “Go Stephen!” at which point he tuned toward us (9 rows above the dugout) and threw the ball right at me!

It was a great week for all of us.