Clouds give way to stars for softball game; Hollywood well-represented for annual All-Star exhibition

By Doug Miller / MLB.com

ST. LOUIS — Wet weather came to Busch Stadium and delayed the proceedings on All-Star Sunday, but a hungry group of ballplayers didn’t mind waiting out a four-hour rain delay. Among the celebrities taking part in the event was Shawn Johnson- Olympic gold medalist and Dancing With the Stars winner.

It was the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, after all, the game in which Hollywood’s heavyweights take swings and flash leather alongside Major League royalty, all in the spirit of good times.

And before the 80th Midsummer Classic is played on the same field on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, these players wanted to leave their mark.

Dreams came true for scores of St. Louis fans when one of their idols, Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, sprinted out to his position in the first inning for the National League and pulled off his signature backflip.

And moments later, playing for the American League, Olympic medal-winning gymnast Shawn Johnson did Ozzie a few better, doing a decent portion of a floor exercise while heading to first base following a walk.

Johnson put in one of the best efforts of the day, getting up at dawn to make it to the starting line of the 5K for a 7:38 a.m. air-horn blast from Hall of Famer and Cardinal legend Lou Brock — and then playing in the softball game that was delayed way, way into the night. (Mark Newman/MLB.com) 

“This is the best,” said St. Louis native Nelly, the hip-hop star and actor who hit a two-run home run, made a diving catch in center field, saw his team win the game, 10-8, and took home the game’s co-MVP award along with former college basketball coach Bob Knight. “This is what you dream about.”

 Watch the Interview: WATCH the MLB Interview: Shawn Johnson discusses her first experience playing softball during the 2009 Celebrity All-Star Game

Posted in: Gymnastics, Press, Shawn Johnson |