NEW YORK— New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner made quite the entrance tonight, waving to the crowd as he rode in on a golf cart before the All-Star game.

The 78-year-old Steinbrenner got a loud ovation when he was introduced during pregame ceremonies. He kept his aviator sunglasses on the whole time as he traveled along the Yankee Stadium warning track with wife Joan, son Hal and son-in-law Felix Lopez.

Steinbrenner's cart pulled up near the mound, where he delivered baseballs to Yankees Hall of Famers Goose Gossage, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson for the ceremonial first pitches.

"It's awesome. It's well-deserved," Yankees star Alex Rodriguez said of the pregame honor for Steinbrenner in Yankee Stadium's final season. "Above all, the Stadium and Mr. Steinbrenner are the two biggest stars."

Steinbrenner bought the Yankees in 1973 and the team has won six of its 26 World Series titles during his tenure.

While the Boss is still involved with the team, usually working in his Tampa office, he's turned over much of the daily operation to his sons, Hank and Hal. His health has deteriorated over the years, and he never left the golf cart during the ceremony.