Nobody enjoyed watching the NL stars circling the bases Tuesday night in their 8-0 triumph over the AL more than the 67-year-old La Russa, who came out of what he says is a comfortable retirement to manage one final time.

La Russa said he was "just lucky"--just as he was in 33 years of managing in the majors.

The former Cardinals manager retired after winning last year's World Series. But he was asked to call the shots for the NL team one more time. He had vowed all week to manage the game to win -- and he did.

Even with an eight-run lead in the eighth inning, La Russa was managing to win. He pulled right-hander Craig Kimbel with two out in favor of lefty fireballer Aroldis Chapman to get the final out of that frame. In all, 11 NL pitchers combined on a six-hit shutout.