Detroit ? Miguel Tejada’s 3-year-old son joined him at the podium, giggling gleefully into a microphone about daddy’s big night.

No question where junior gets his boyish enthusiasm.

Tejada, the Orioles’ effervescent shortstop, homered, drove in two runs and took home MVP honors for leading the American League past the NL, 7-5, in the All-Star game Tuesday night.

“I think my family is really happy, and I think everyone in Baltimore is really happy,” he said.

Tejada grew up so poor in the Dominican Republic that he didn’t have his own glove until he signed a professional contract. But he blossomed in Oakland and won the 2002 AL MVP award, earning a $72 million, six-year deal from the Orioles before last season.

He has been worth every penny. His clutch hitting and infectious personality have helped turn Baltimore into a winning team, and he brought a large contingent of family members to Detroit for the All-Star game, including his wife, daughter and son, Miguel Jr.

They saw quite a show.

Elected by fans for his first All-Star start, Tejada made a terrific defensive play in the first inning. After Bobby Abreu’s leadoff single, he knocked down Carlos Beltran’s sharp one-hopper to his left and started a key double play, one of three turned by the American League.

In his first at-bat, Tejada drove the second pitch from Atlanta’s John Smoltz way over the left-field fence at spacious Comerica Park. The 436-foot solo shot in the second inning gave the AL a lead it never relinquished.

Tejada added an RBI groundout in the third, making it 3-0. His jersey is headed for the Hall of Fame.

“I’m really happy, proud to be a star in this game,” he said. “Thank you for the trophy. I hope you guys enjoyed it.”

The Orioles have a long tradition of All-Star MVPs.

American League coach Dale Sveum, left, congratulates Miguel Tejada after Tejada's solo homer in the second inning on a pitch from National League pitcher John Smoltz. Tejada earned the MVP award for his effort Tuesday night in Detroit.

Tejada makes it six, more than any other team since the award’s inception in 1962. And a Baltimore player earned the honor the last time the summer showcase was in Detroit – Frank Robinson was one of six Hall of Famers who homered in 1971 at old Tiger Stadium.

Brooks Robinson, Cal Ripken Jr. (twice) and Roberto Alomar also won the award with Baltimore.

For his big game, Tejada won a bright yellow sports car that sat behind him as he did postgame interviews at second base.

“I just said this morning that he was going to do something big today. You could pretty much say that any day we go out,” Orioles reliever B.J. Ryan said.

Tejada passed up a chance to defend his Home Run Derby crown this year, giving his spot Monday to Boston’s David Ortiz as the Dominican Republic’s representative.

Then Tejada watched Abreu shatter all his derby records. But no star was brighter Tuesday night.

“I’m never going to forget these two days,” Tejada said.