For Yoshinori Sato, this is such a special All-Star Series.
Not because he came back in time for the Japanese version of the Mid-Summer Classic series from an injury, but because he is pleased to be able to pitch in front of the crowd in his native Sendai.
"Ever since it was revealed that Sendai would be one of the sites (for the All-Star Series), I've been aiming at pitching there," said Sato, who hurt the abdominal fascia on his left side in early June, before Game 2 of the All-Star Series at QVC Marine Stadium on Saturday.