Big day is here: 80th All-Star Game unfolds at Busch Stadium

ST. LOUIS -- The folderol is finished. Let the Game begin.

The 80th All-Star Game, that is, scheduled to unfold tonight at Busch Stadium before an audience of St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Famers, President Obama and some of the best baseball fans in the country.

"It's true, they are the best fans in baseball," said the Cards' Albert Pujols as the Home Run Derby wound up the weekend of All-Star activities. "As long as you play the game the right way and go about it the right way, they are going to love you. (It) doesn't matter what kind of color of uniform you wear."

It will be AL road uniforms vs. NL home whites for the game; the show begins at 7 p.m. on Fox for the fans who couldn't score a ticket to the first Midsummer Classic in St. Louis since 1966. That 42-year span is the longest stretch ever for a major-league city.

A couple of wrinkles this time around: With the president at Busch to throw out the first pitch, police will close Interstate 64 by the ballpark starting at 5 p.m. Fans in the stadium won't be able to leave and get back in, and security will be extra tight inside the ballpark.

At stake: Bragging rights and home-field advantage in the World Series; the AL has won the last 6 All-Star Games.