All the usual suspects were there: a traditional Opening Day flyover from two FA-18s, a national anthem sung by a Tony Award-winning cast, a massive American flag unrolled and shaken out after a lonely winter in the bowels of AT&T Park and an extra spring in each starter's step as he took the field for the first time this season.

But in addition to the usual excitement and ceremony, there was something extra. Tuesday was Opening Day of the All-Star season.

To celebrate San Francisco's hosting of the 78th All-Star Game, 27 of the 44 All-Stars to have represented the Giants in one or more All-Star Games attended the Opening Day ceremonies.

Among the former Giants All-Stars in attendance was pitcher Stu Miller, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and then he threw out another. In answer to the two-pitch confusion, Miller said the first was a warmup, and the second pitch did indeed look sharper.

Miller was a reliable reliever with a career 3.24 ERA, but he is perhaps most remembered for infamously being blown off the mound in the ninth inning of the 1961 All-Star Game, resulting in a balk and eventually the tying run scoring. The story, however, is more legend than fact.

"No, I wasn't blown off the mound. I committed a balk," Miller said. "The wind pushed me into a balk, but it was still just a balk."

The umpire had no sympathy for Miller's gusty misfortune, but the right-hander managed to strike out Yogi Berra, and the National League went on to a 5-4 victory.

The 1961 game Miller pitched in was the first All-Star Game to be played in San Francisco.

"I was wondering why they picked me. They certainly had enough pitchers to choose from," Miller said. "I think it was because I'm the oldest."

Miller wasn't the oldest, and he was certainly in good company with former All-Stars Felipe Alou, Johnny Antonelli, Rich Aurilia, Vida Blue, Barry Bonds, Will Clark, Jim Davenport, Darrell Evans, Atlee Hammaker, Mike Krukow, Gary Lavelle, Jeffrey Leonard, Mike McCormick, Greg Minton, Kevin Mitchell, John Montefusco, Robb Nen, Gaylord Perry, Chris Speier, Robby Thompson, Ed Whitson, Matt Williams and All-Star Hall of Famers Gaylord Perry, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey and Willie Mays, who played in 24 All-Star Games.

As their names were called, the All-Stars walked across the field, remembering the feel of a Giants jersey on their backs as a sold-out ballpark cheered them on.

"I was about to do a full sprint out there," Mitchell said. "Matt Williams dared me, but I didn't want to pull anything or fall and have everybody laugh."

Tuesday's home opener was only the fifth time in the last 22 years that the Giants have opened at home. The Giants hold a home opener record of 30-20 since moving to San Francisco and a home opener record of 7-6 against the Padres.

"There's nothing like Opening Day. This is what you look forward to from the first day of Spring Training. It doesn't matter how long you've been in this game. This is a huge day," manager Bruce Bochy said before suffering a 7-0 defeat.