MLB ALL-STAR GAME

July 11, 2000

Andres Galarraga

ANDRES GALARRAGA: Why, thank you. Probably no words to explain how happy, how excited I am feeling today. That's a great moment in my career in baseball -- walk on the field with my kids, and the ovation they gave to me, my fans here in Atlanta. That's a really special moment. I'm so excited, so happy right now.

ANDRES GALARRAGA: Not nervous. Excited. I can't wait for the game to start, to see the reaction, to see what happens, to see how everything happens. And as soon as I go on to the field, I'm feeling kind of nervous, but I think it's more excited, something special happen, like a little kid going on to the field. Soon I go to home plate, hit the ball hard. Getting my first hit today in the All-Star Games, make it more special, more -- much better this day for me.

ANDRES GALARRAGA: This day is one of the best probably, the Opening Day here in Atlanta is probably one of the best days in my career. Today is more special to be in this group. But having cancer last year, coming back to play baseball, to come and make this thing, I mean, it can be something better today to be with this team, to play this game today. To get my first hit, that makes it more special, this day, for me.

ANDRES GALARRAGA: The last two days, the best... I don't know. I think every moment of the last two days, that's really special. It is probably getting my hit today in the All-Star Game.

ANDRES GALARRAGA: Well, kind of in the way -- probably God send the cancer to me to help a lot of people to stay positive, to play, to be more strong, to fight for life. In that situation, I think, I'm helping a lot of people to be more strong. I know I've been helping people, because I've been receiving a lot of letters, phone calls. A lot of people come to me and say they appreciate what I've been doing so far, to come back and play baseball after that. If it's not "hero," I don't know what's another word. I feel like I'm helping people; that's more important for me.

ANDRES GALARRAGA: Yes, I watched at home. It's a bit different to be watching it at home sick and playing today. And believe it or not, that helped me to be more strong, to come back to play baseball again, because I love this game so much. And probably I know in that last year, I not even think I would be here today, to come back to play baseball, to be in the Opening Day line-up for Atlanta, just the way I had to keep working hard.

End of FastScripts….