Tonight’s All-Star Game is sure to be packed with great moments.
With a bunch of tributes to Stan Musial and a bevy of other St. Louis Cardinals greats.
That’s great and all … but how ’bout some classic Home Runs? That would be nice.
Here’s a look back at some of the best Home Runs in All-Star Game History.
The First – Babe Ruth
July 6, 1933 – Comiskey Park, Chicago IL
The First All-Star Game was held as part of the 1933 world’s Fair in Chicago. In a game chock full of future Hall of Famers, there was only one player who should have (and did) hit the first ever All-Star Home Run. The Bambino, Babe Ruth.
In the 3rd inning, Cardinals SP Bill Hallahan likely grooved a pitch that ended up as a two-run shot for the Babe. Why’d I say he grooved it? Here’s Hallahan about the game …
“We wanted to see the Babe. Sure, he was old and had a big waistline, but that didn’t make any difference. We were on the same field as Babe Ruth.” – Wild Bill Hallahan
And Why Not? It was an exhibition. It’s not like Home-Field in the World Series depended on the Game.
The Grandest – Fred Lynn
July 6, 1983 – Comiskey Park, Chicago IL
The midsummer classic returned to Chicago for its golden anniversary. In the bottom of the third inning, NL manager Whitey Herzog had pitcher Atlee Hammaker walk Robin Yount to load the bases for Fred Lynn.
Fred Lynn took it personally. He even said so after the game.
Lynn unloaded on Hammaker, hitting the first Grand Slam in All-Star history, leading the AL to a seven-run inning and their first All-Star win in 12 years.
The Longest – Reggie Jackson
July 13, 1971 – Tiger Stadium, Detroit MI
Reggie Jackson was not yet Mr. October in 1971. And he was only in the starting lineup as a replacement for Tony Olivo. But in the second inning, Reggie unloaded on a 0-2 offering from Dock Ellis that might still be travelling if not for the rooftop light tower 520 feet away from home plate and 100 feet above the field.
According to some accounts, Reggie’s ball was still rising when it nailed the tower.
The Most Exciting – Ichiro
July 10, 2007 – AT&T Park, San Francisco CA
Hard to belive with all the talent on the field in 77 All-Star Games, no one had ever hit an Indoor Four.
Ichiro added to his legend in San Francisco when he hit a ball off the right field wall that ricocheted right past Ken Griffey Jr., allowing Ichiro to score on an Inside-The-Park Home Run that gave the American league a 2-1 Lead.
The Most Awesome – Cal Ripken, Jr.
July 10, 2001 – Safeco Field, Seattle WA
In 2001, the Mariners’ Alex Rodriguez was voted the starting shortstop for the American League, with a retiring Cal Ripken voted in at 3rd base. In a great baseball moment, A-Rod traded positions with Cal in the top of the first inning. This allowed the legendary Ripken to play his natural position at short.
In the bottom of the third (after an extraordinary standing ovation for a living legend with the theme from “The Natural” blaring from the Safeco Field speakers) Cal Ripken Jr. tipped his cap and then blasted the first offering from Chan Ho Park over the wall.
Did I miss your favorite Home Run? Let me know in the comments.
- Bo Jackson’s Lead off Monster in 1989?
- Ted Williams’ Eephus Home Run in 1946?
- Tony Perez’ 15th-inning dinger in 1967?
- Stan Musial’s Walk-Off in 1955? (my Dad’s favorite – he was there in Milwaukee)
- Joe Morgan’s leadoff shot in 1977 at Yankee Stadium? (that’s Joe Morgan’s Favorite)
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July 14th, 2009 at 6:34 am
You left out the most memorable of them all: Ted Williams’ two out, come-from-behind game-ender in 1941 that smacked up against the roof in Detroit’s Briggs Stadium.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Sad to say, but so predictable. I heard Fred Lynn in an interview several years ago & the interviewer asked waht what his favorite bseball moment. I figuired he would say his 10 RBI night as a rookie, something to do with his ROY or MVP award, 1975 World Series great catch or something like that. No, he said it was his ASG grand slam. That’s why Fred Lynn was never loved in Boston, his greatest baseball memory was from an exhibtion game that meant nothing.