The 10 Greatest All-Star Game Performances of All-Time
From Ichiro Suzuki in 2007 to Ted Williams in 1946, these are some of the most memorable performances in MLB All-Star Game history.
It’s almost time for the Midsummer Classic, Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. Still the premier mid-season contest of any of the United States’ major sports, the MLB All-Star Game conjures up memories of remarkable and sometimes unexpected performances.
Perhaps it was the outstanding play of one of your favorites or just an incredible individual effort by another player. Either way, any baseball fan can quickly recall their favorite moments from the long and celebrated history of the contest. Check and see if one of your favorite performances is on the list.
Great All-Star Game Hitting Performances
10. (Tie) Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants, 1969
The Giants’ left-handed slugger had an All-Star Game to remember in 1969 at Washington, D.C.’s RFK Stadium. McCovey’s home run off the Oakland Athletics’ Blue Moon Odom with Henry Aaron on board sparked the National League’s five-run third inning.
He followed that up the next inning with a solo shot off Denny McLain, which all led to a dominating 9-3 win for the NL. McCovey, one of only five players in MLB history to hit two homers in an All-Star Game, was rightfully named the game’s MVP for his performance.
10. (Tie) Gary Carter, Montreal Expos, 1981
Another member of the two-homer group, Carter accomplished his on August 10, 1981, in Cleveland. After the almost two-month players’ strike that year, this game ushered in the second half of the season. It was also the only All-Star Game played outside of July. In addition, it is the only classic game ever played on a Sunday.
And Gary “Kid” Carter did not disappoint the fans that night. He hit two solo home runs in the game. The first came in the fifth inning off California Angels’ right-hander Ken Forsch. Two innings later, he took the Yankees’ Ron Davis downtown, sparking a rally that would lead to a 5-4 NL victory. Carter was named the game’s MVP after the contest.
A Couple of Pirates Make Their All-Star Mark
9. Dave Parker, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1979
Offense took a back seat to Parker’s outstanding defensive plays in the 1979 All-Star Game. The American League’s Jim Rice led off the seventh inning with a double, but was cut down at third base after a missile from right field thrown by Parker beat him to the bag.
In the pivotal eighth inning, after the NL had taken the lead, Parker again ended another AL rally. This time, he nailed Brian Downing as he attempted to score on a Graig Nettles single to right. For his defensive achievements, Parker was named the game’s MVP.
8. Arky Vaughn, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1941
The American League’s Ted Williams might have won this All-Star Game with his three-run homer, but the hitting star in this contest was Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Arky Vaughn. He went 3-for-4 in the game, including two home runs in a 7-5 AL win in Detroit.
For the contest, he added five RBI’s, a walk, and two runs scored to his stat total. Interestingly enough, Vaughn’s two dingers were one-third as many home runs as he would hit in the entire 1941 regular season. His RBI total still ranks as the second most in All-Star Game history.
Two Hitting Masterpieces
7. Al Rosen, Cleveland, 1954
Rosen became the hometown hero of the 1954 All-Star Game as the AL survived a slugfest in Cleveland with an 11-9 victory. Along with the 20 runs scored, both teams banged out 31 hits. Rosen started the scoring with a three-run homer off future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts in the third inning.
He would add another round-tripper in the fifth inning with his two-run blast off Johnny Antonelli. Rosen’s line for the day would be 3-for-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB, and 2 R. He still shares the record for most RBIs in an All-Star Game.
6. Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners, 2007
Ichiro had an outstanding All-Star Game in 2007 at San Francisco’s AT&T Park. His line for the day was 3-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, and 1 R. He led the game off with a single off Jake Peavy and added another one in the third off Ben Sheets.
But it’s what he did in the fifth inning that will go down in history. His drive to right-center field caromed weirdly off the wall and eluded Ken Griffey Jr., with Ichiro not slowing down until he crossed home plate. His inside-the-parker remains the only one in All-Star Game history.
Bo Knows
5. Bo Jackson, Kansas City Royals, 1989
Bo Jackson was larger than life, and he proved it in this All-Star Game. Playing in front of a crowd that included former President Ronald Reagan, Bo cemented his image as one of the greatest multi-sports athletes of any era. His first-inning bomb off Rick Reuschel traveled 448 feet over the center field wall in Anaheim.
The AL would take the lead for good in the second inning, with Bo driving in a run and then stealing second base. Jackson was named the MVP in a 5-3 AL win. With that feat, he became only the second player (Willie Mays) to hit a home run and steal a base in the same All-Star Game.
A Couple of Beantown All-Stars
4. Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox, 1986
The location of this All-Star Game is the subplot behind this performance. Roger Clemens, a hometown Houston boy playing in his first Midsummer Classic, did not disappoint the raucous Astrodome crowd. The game was played within earshot of his high school home.
Clemens threw three scoreless innings without surrendering a hit or walk and striking out two batters. And he did this in a most economical way. Of the 24 pitches he threw, 21 were thrown for strikes. He won the game’s MVP award while leading the AL to a 3-2 victory.
3. Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox, 1946
Williams, the returning war hero, had a welcome return as he led the American League to a 12-0 whitewash of the National League. His first homer of the game was a solo shot in the fourth inning off Kirby Higbe of the Brooklyn Dodgers to up the AL’s lead to 3-0.
Then in the eighth inning, “Teddy Ballgame” blasted a three-run shot to right field off Rip Sewell and his famous “blooper pitch.” He still holds five single-game All-Star Game records set on this day: hits (4), home runs (2), runs (4), RBI (5), and total bases (10)
Two Pitching Gems for the Ages
2. Pedro Martinez, Boston Red Sox, 1999
This All-Star Game was a true classic. The game started with the announcement of the MLB All-Century Team, with Red Sox great Ted Williams making an appearance that wowed the Fenway Park crowd. Then Pedro Martinez proceeded to demonstrate why he was one of the all-time greats.
He struck out the first four batters he faced and added a fifth strikeout to end the second inning. His victims: Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Jeff Bagwell. It was the first time in All-Star Game history that a pitcher struck out the opposing side to begin the contest. He would take home MVP honors for the game and lead the AL to a 4-1 win.
1. Carl Hubbell, New York Giants, 1934
The gem of gems. Even 92 years later, it is tough to top this one. Hubbell started the second-ever All-Star Game for the NL, allowing the first two runners to reach base safely. Then, rearing back with his famous screwball pitch, he struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx to retire the side.
Playing in front of his fans at the Polo Grounds in New York, Hubbell started the second inning by whiffing Al Simmons and Joe Cronin. His five straight strikeouts of those future Hall of Famers constitute an All-Star Game record that has never been equaled.
Summary
Did your favorite MLB All-Star Game performance make the list? Or perhaps that performance will occur tonight, when the 96th Midsummer Classic is played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Game time is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET.
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