Just got back from the red carpet MLB All Star Game parade down sixth avenue here in New York:

Highlight of the parade for me was the fans mercilessly booing Bosox reliever Jonathan Papelbon. Of course, the Yankee fans were responding to Papelbon’s demand to be the American League’s closer for tonight’s All-Star game - over Yankee relief legend Mariano Rivera. Papelbon tried to have fun with it, as you can see him gesturing to the crowd here:

That reception wasn’t entirely unexpected, but the response to a high profile Yankee player in the same parade was.

While watching, I saw Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Joe Girardi and even Reggie Jackson pass by to thunderous cheering. But then ARod rolled by, and a collective, somewhat muted hiss went up.

Maybe that’s why it looks like he’s sucking on a lemon. Or perhaps he’s thinking about what a worn-out hag hath wrought on him.

One more fun image, of Josh Hamilton:

Fun at least for Josh. For the kids, not so much.

See you back here tonight for the live blog from inside Yankee Stadium!