Friday, Feb. 1
I can understand how Jarome Iginla feels about going to his first All-Star game. When I went to mine in 2000, I remember being in the locker room, sitting between Ken Griffey, Jr., and Gary Sheffield. You're sitting there and first, you're in awe, like how do I belong with these guys. But in the same sense, you're there for a reason, because you are one of the elite players. I was walking around the field soaking it all in. I was taking pictures like crazy, talking to guys, getting stuff autographed. Because you never know, there are so many great players who haven't played in many All-Star games. When I get to my 10th, then maybe I'll start to feel a little bit older.

Ryan Dempster knows a little bit about baseball and hockey. A native of Gibsons, British Columbia, the Florida Marlins right-hander was the seventh Canadian pitcher elected to the All-Star Game when he was named to 2000 National League squad. He's working out in L.A. until pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 17. Until then, he'll be sharing his NHL All-Star experiences with ESPN.com and ESPN Radio (Thu. and Fri. on AllNight, 2 a.m.-6 a.m. ET).

It isn't easy maintaining an All-Star level, though. I've always wanted that pressure, I've always wanted to be the No. 1 starter, a premier pitcher in baseball. All of a sudden, now, I'm 24 and they say, "Now we want you to be the leader of the pitching staff." That can be a lot of pressure on guys, but I welcome it. Eventually, you realize you do want to be an elite guy, and when you're given the chance to be that, you want to continue to do it. The toughest part is to continuing to be successful.

Some people think that making it to the big time is the easy part. It's hard doing it, but it's the easy part. It's staying there that's the tough part. It's the same as being an elite player. It's easy to have that good year. But it's staying there, because everyone is going to try and better you, whether it's slowing you down on the ice or figuring out how to hit your slider, everyone is looking for that edge. You've got to be ready to make the adjustments and never be content. That's the key. The guys who are the superstars, don't care so much about what they're making a year. But I guarantee Barry Bonds wants to hit 74 home runs. That's the mentality. There is always something better to do. I've always said the day I'll quit is the day I'm 35-0 in 35 starts. Then - boom -- there is nothing else to do, I've won every game, right? Until then, you always have something to do.

There are so many guys who are unbelievably talented, but are content with being average. Their either afraid of failure or their afraid of success. There are lots of guys who are actually afraid of success. You see somebody with so much talent and fear that they don't know if they can handle the pressure of having to do it year in and year out.

Baseball is a team sport, but it's an individual sport in the same sense. In hockey, it's a necessity that everyone is on the same page. I guess Pavel Bure would be as close to an Andruw Jones as there is - a guy who floats around the red line just like Andruw plays his own position in center field. It works for both guys. But a Marcus Naslund, if he's going to lead the league in scoring, he needs Todd Bertuzzi to put the goals in on his assists. And that's the thing about hockey. In baseball, you can have one superstar and be successful. But in hockey you need three of four. Or if you're the Red Wings, eight.

Have I said I'm looking forward to the SuperSkills competition? They've talked about doing it in baseball - the fastest runner, the hardest thrower, etc.. But they're worried about a guy not warming up properly. Maybe hockey players are a little tougher and they're not worried about that. Although neither do I, because I wouldn't be in that contest. There are too many guys who throw harder than I do.

Look at guys like Simone Gagne getting edged out by Billy Guerin in the fastest skater last year. Then Fredrik Modin getting off a hundred mile an hour slapshot. For the young guys coming up and showing their skills off, people who might not necessarily know who they are will. I'd like to see something like that with baseball - have an accuracy contest with batting or something. I'd be in on the home run hitting contest, if they let me hit. But they never let me hit. I can hit it out once in a while - if I'm standing at second base and the wind is blowing out a hundred miles an hour.