The MLB All-Star Game is likely the single-most entertaining one in the entire professional sports world. And following the tie back in 2002, it actually means something, as the winner of the midsummer classic earns homefield advantage in the World Series.
The 85th edition of the MLB All-Star Game will take place at Target Field in Minnesota later this week. From John Kruk infamously waving the surrender flag against Randy Johnson to Pete Rose crashing into Ray Fosse, we figured it would be fun to put together some of the best moments in All-Star Game history. Please read and WATCH below for some pure awesomeness.
Cal Ripken Jr. Homers in Final All-Star Game Appearance (2001)
This Hall of Famer always had a flair for the dramatic. From homering in the game that saw him break Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game streak to sending the ball over the fence in his final All-Star appearance at Safeco Field in 2011, Ripken Jr. knew when to step up when big things were happening.
Despite some questions about him starting this specific All-Star Game because of lackluster numbers, Ripken Jr. earned the MVP award as the American League won 4-1.
John Kruk and Randy Johnson (1993)
Always a character, Kruk wasn’t exactly too thrilled to take on The Big Unit in this meaningless baseball game. And he made sure the entire sports world and greater Baltimore area knew it. Playing at the new Camden Yards, the first of the modern stadiums, Kruk “stepped to the plate” against a lefty that consistently hit triple digits on the radar gun, with the results being rather epic. The term “surrender,” as utilized in the video embedded above, is a dramatic understatement. Kruk waived the white flag and didn’t care what anyone thought of it.
Ted Williams’ Famous Home Run (1946)
It was Williams first All-Star Game after returning from serving as a pilot in World War II. He was facing Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Rip Sewell, who was best known for throwing a lob ball to hitters at the plate. When Sewell fooled Williams by throwing said pitch to open up the at-bat, it seemed the greatest hitter of all-time would end up looking silly in front of the Fenway Park crowd. Interestingly enough, Sewell attempted to throw the very same pitch later in the at-bat. He was greeted with a towering homer over the right field fence. Williams earned MVP honors with five RBI’s in the 12-0 American League victory.
Stan Musial’s Walk-Off Homer in the Bottom of the 12th (1955)
Stan the Man, one of the most underrated baseball players of all-time, is responsible for what could very well be considered the greatest All-Star Game moment of all-time. The scene was Milwaukee’s old County Stadium. The situation was as follows. Musial came to bat with the game tied at five in the bottom half of the 12th. He then proceeded to knock the ball out of the park, giving the NL the win. Musial boasts the MLB record with 24 All-Star Game appearances and six homers in the midsummer classic. But it is this one specific homer that takes the cake.
Pete Rose Crashes Into Ray Fosse at Home Plate (1970)
This one incident came to define what Rose (aka Charlie Hustle) was all about. He didn’t give darn about the welfare of opposing players, even during a meaningless midsummer exhibition. With the game tied in the bottom of the 12th, Rose rounded third base after a Jim Hickman single. And the rest is history.
Fosse separated his shoulder on the play and within a couple years simply wasn’t the same player behind the plate that saw him win two Gold Glove awards. For his part, Rose seemed to stand over Fosse after scoring the game-winning run. Later on in the locker room, Rose didn’t seem too apologetic of the collision…indicating that he would run over his mother if it meant helping the National League win.
Farewell to Yankee Stadium (2008)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvvA2AwWGK8
If there is one iconic stadium in the entire professional sports world, it is old Yankee Stadium, which was torn down following the 2008 season. Playing a midsummer classic at the House that Ruth Built has to be considered one of the greatest moments in All-Star Game history. And it was grand. The game lasted until nearly 2 AM east coast time before the American League scored the game-winning run in the 15th inning. Have some free time? Check out the entire game in the video embedded above.
Willie Mays Returns to New York (1960)
Just a few years after the Giants moved out west to San Francisco, Willie Mays made his return to New York at old Yankee Stadium. He was the toast of the city leading up to the game and didn’t disappoint. Say Hey Kid rewarded the hometown crowd by sending a homer over the left field fence as the National League took the game 6-0. Eddie Mathews and Stan Musial also homered for the NL in the shutout.
The Tie (2002)
The year was 2002. The scene was Miller Park in Milwaukee, where commissioner Bud Selig once owned the Brewers. And it was the last meaningless All-Star Game in the history of baseball. While memorable due to the 7-7 tie, this game can go down as one of the most infamous in the history of the midsummer classic. Both the AL and NL ran out of available pitchers, which forced Selig to call the game in the 11th inning. The following year, MLB decided to award homefield in the World Series to the league that won the All-Star game.
Reggie Jackson’s Blast (1971)
Old Tiger Stadium. Reggie Jackson. All-Star baseball in the middle of the summer. What else do you need? Then 25-year-old Jackson, then a member of the Oakland Athletics, hit the longest himer in the history of the All-Star game in the bottom of the third inning. The blast nearly cleared Tiger Stadium, hitting a transformer above the upper deck. For one year, Mr. October became Mr. July.
Photo: ESPN.com