‘Go To Bat’ was launched nationally during the State Farm Home Run Derby.  ’Go To Bat’ gives entrants a chance to win tickets to the upcoming World Series and selected charity partners the chance to receive significant financial support.

Here’s how to play and how to help Pitch In For Baseball:

* Go to  www.statefarm.com/gotobat to register for your chance to win World Series tickets.
* As you register, you will get a chance to designate a charity that could win up to $25,000/week.
* To designate Pitch In For Baseball as your charity, select PUBLIC GOOD as the charity category and then choose Pitch In For Baseball from the drop down list.
* Revisit www.statefarm.com/gotobat each day and play the ‘Go To Bat’ online game to increase your chances for tickets and Pitch In For Baseball’s chance at financial support

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While watching the recent MLB All-Star game, I started thinking about what the All-Star game is like in Japan. Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann and Chicago Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd performed late-inning heroics, propelling the National League to victory. Now that the MLB’s mid-summer classic “counts,” the win assures a National League team home field advantage during the World Series.

In Japan the team with the best record is already rewarded with home field advantage in the Japan Series, so pros play for fun in their All-Star Game. Make that games. That’s right, the All-Star Game is actually a two-game All-Star Series in Japan. This season the 60th All-Star Series will be held Saturday, July 23 at the Yahoo! Dome in Fukuoka and the following day at the Hard-Off Eco Stadium in Niigata.

Photo Credits: Yahoo! Dome in Fukuoka, Japan: Marc Hamaker

(In case you’re wondering – and I know you are – Hard-Off is a chain of used appliance stores. It’s part of a group of second-hand retailers, including Book-Off, which has a bookstore in midtown Manhattan.)

Photo Credit: Hard-Off Eco Stadium in Niigata, Japan: By nekoreds for Google Earth

There are a few similarities between the MLB and Japanese All-Star games. The managers of the two Japan Series Championship teams from the previous season serve as the skippers of their respective leagues. Therefore, Tatsunori Hara, manager of the Yomiuri Giants, the defending Japan Series champions, will manage the Central League All-Stars while the Pacific League responsibilities go to Nippon Ham Fighters manager Masataka Nashida. Like the MLB, each team has at least one representative, although it’s easier in Japan, which has only 12 total teams as opposed to MLB’s 30.

Each league has a 29-man roster of All-Stars, twenty-eight who are chosen through fan and player voting. This year, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the All-Star Series, each league added one player. One of those players is Craig Brazell, the hot-hitting first baseman for the Hanshin Tigers. Brazell received 20,688 Internet votes for the special final spot on the Central League roster.

Brazell, now in his third year in Japan, was a fifth round pick of the New York Mets in the 1998 MLB draft. The 30-year-old Montgomery, Alabama native made his major league debut on August 17, 2004. He played a total of 24 games for the Mets and five games for the Kansas City Royals before being released in November of 2007. After two mediocre seasons in Japan, Brazell is having a breakout season in 2010. He has 30 home runs, second in Nippon Professional Baseball to 2-time defending Central League MVP Alex Ramirez of the Yomiuri Giants.

Two of Brazell’s teammates, former Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima and former Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Murton, are also on this year’s All-Star roster. Thirty-six-year-old Tadahito Iguchi, who played for three MLB teams, is an All-Star in Japan as the second baseman for the Chiba Lotte Marines. Perhaps one of them will have the timely hit or the outstanding defensive play to lead his league to a win. Maybe Yu Darvish, the phenomenal young right-handed pitcher for the Nippon Ham Fighters, or speedy Seibu Lions shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima will dazzle the crowd.

You probably won’t watch the Japanese All-Star Series this weekend, but there’s a slight chance one or more of this year’s NPB All-Stars could become MLB All-Stars in the future.

Related posts:

1. All-Star Shame; Prospects Flame
2. The Mascots of Japanese Baseball
3. Inside Information on Japanese Baseball

I’m going to go on my annual rant about the All-Star Game albeit somewhat less harsh. This game is at a crossroads. What is it really and what has it become? Historically the All-Star Game was created to offer some excitement during the Great Depression.

No fewer than 19 future Hall of Famers participated. The game was played for league pride with six of the National League’s starters playing the whole game while seven of the AL’s did. Six pitchers were used with Lon Warneke toiling the most innings – four. By the way, the American League won 4-2 at Comiskey Park.

The game has evolved into a four day showcase with the game almost being anti-climactic. The Fanfest is worthwhile but the Home Run Derby is superfluous commercially fueled nonsense. So who should be chosen the play in the game? If it is for the casual fans, who vote for the starters and want entertainment then it should be a showcase for the best players who may not be having the best years, like Ryan Howard. But if it’s to reward those players having great years, then it should include Joey Votto.I happen to fall in the latter category. Otherwise, worthy players like Votto would never be chosen as long as Howard and Pujols are playing.

The new rules, as usual, are absurd, like no longer allowing chosen starting pitchers to play if they pitched on the prior Sunday. What, these guys can’t pitch two innings max? Expanding the rosters to 34 so that the are more pitchers is also mindless.

What they haven’t addressed is the archaic rule that each team must have at least one representative. That, too, impedes worthy players.

The managers are more concerned about getting everyone into the game so the players you really want to see will probably be out by the 6th inning. That’s for the players’ benefit, not the fans. It seems like there is more intensity in the game because of the home team award, but this, too, is a distraction.

Now for the rosters. This is one of those rare years where everybody – the fans, players, managers and League office got it almost right. One pleasant development was the naming of Arthur Rhodes to the NL Team and Matt Thornton in the AL. It’s about time good effective relievers besides closers are included and here’s hoping even more are picked next year. Then there were the puzzling decisions. Perhaps the most surprising was Charlie Manuel’s choice of Omar Infante. That’s a head scratcher.

And of course, the annual snubs. This year it’s the exclusion of American League pitchers Jered Weaver and Andy Pettitte, especially Weaver (8-3/2.82/1.06 WHIP) since the game is at Angels’ Stadium. Now some will say that the Yankees shouldn’t have three starters on the team but who do you exclude (Philip Hughes 10-2/3.83, CC Sabathia 10-3/3.33 or Pettitte 10-2/2.82)? If that means that Fausto Carmona doesn’t make it so be it. Besides Votto in the NL, the biggest insult was not naming any San Diego pitcher to the team! Mat Latos (9-4/2.62) and Clayton Richard (6-4/2.74) surely deserve to go as does closer Heath Bell who was vanquished to the final team member public vote.

Baseball has been transformed from an idyllic game with a rich heritage to nothing more than any other sport: a form of entertainment with contests, loud music, sausage races and between inning ads. How I long for the days of just going to watch a good game without the odious activities designed to keep fans engaged.

Jered Weaver Has Been Snubbed

This one’s for the Elias Sports Bureau. I can’t recall a season where teams have called up used their top prospects so early in the season. No fewer than 12 teams either have called up or broke camp with these future stars.

Here is the illustrious list:

Jason Heyward           Atlanta

Brian Matusz             Baltimore

Starlin Castro            Chicago Cubs

Carlos Santana         Cleveland

Mike Stanton           Florida

Jason Castro            Houston

Alcides Escobar       Milwaukee

Jennry Mejia           New York Mets

Pedro Alvarez         Pittsburgh

Buster Posey          San Francisco

Neftali Perez           Texas

Stephen Strasburg Washington

Mejia has since been sent down but most of the others are having solid years, except Escobar was given the shortstop job in spring training and has been struggling at both the plate and the field.

As good has some have been, however, none deserve to be on the All-Star Team, Fans game or not, Heyward is hitting in the .260’s and Strasburg, as good as he has been, has started all of six games.

Stephen Strasburg...Not This Year

Related posts:

1. The Japanese All-Star Series
2. Great Moments in All-Star Game History: Part 3 (1990-2008)
3. Great Moments in All-Star Game History: Part 2 (1960-1989)

On Monday night, July the 13th., we managed to see 7 of the best home run hitters in baseball and Brandon Inge get together in an attempt to put on a power display where batting practice pitchers grooved balls at 70—75 MPH and in turn the likes of Pujols, Fielder, Cruz, and Howard deposited them deep into the St. Louis sky.

None of these performances was close to those put on in the past by the likes of Abreu, McGwire, or Sosa during the steroid era.

Can I ask why baseball is the only sport with a steroid era? Now we can clearly discern that the game had, and some will argue has, a steroid problem.

So the witch-hunt will continue around the steroid issue, but worse for baseball is once a year they come back to the scene of the crime. The day before the mid-summer classic they showcase an event that has a history that is reeking with the smell of so much Deca-Durabolin and Andro.

So instead of trying to figure out if it’s Winstrol, HGH, or Primobolan that’s to blame, let’s take a giant step backwards and give baseball a bit of a rest.

Yeah I said it, give it a rest already.

This is the part where you tell me that they don’t deserve a break and baseball has put itself in this position. Admittedly I am not able to defend any of that, as you would be 100 percent correct.

Because steroids are BAD!! That’s right they are the devil in sports, in fact, they are the single biggest evil facing sports today. Even worse, baseball highlighted and showcased these cheaters, liars, and all around bad guys right? I mean they are quite simply the worst athletes and role models on the planet. I don’t need to explain the vilification of baseball to you.

You know the story all too well.

Over 100 positive tests, multiple all-stars and dare I say it, there might even be a guy or two in the Hall of Fame, although thus far I cannot prove that.

What I can prove is that baseball isn’t the only sport with a steroid issue.

See we all remember the Mitchell Report. The one where baseball spent $20 million to have senator George Mitchell basically talk to the trainers from the Mets and Yankees and identify that baseball players were in fact doing steroids.

After 20 months, on December 13th, 2007 the senator released his 409-page report that named 89 baseball players. It was released to much fanfare and media coverage. The report drew five conclusions:

1. Major League Baseball’s 2002 response to steroid use resulted in players switching from detectable steroids to undetectable human growth hormone.
2. The use of performance enhancing substances by players is legally and ethically “wrong.”
3. While players that use illegal substances are responsible for their actions, that responsibility is shared by the entire baseball community for failing to recognize the problem sooner.
4. An exhaustive investigation attempting to identify every player that has used illegal substances would not be beneficial.
5. Major League Baseball should adopt the recommendations of the report as a first step in eliminating the use of illegal substances (credit wikipedia).

For all those reasons, baseball became the whipping boys for steroids in America. Everywhere you turned was a picture of a baseball being jacked up my a syringe full of a toxic goo that looked like it may have come from the Toxic Avengers.

So why was it, when the San Diego Union Tribune dropped a steroid bombshell that includes pro bowl and hall of famers, quickly swept under the rug?

In their September 21st, 2008 addition Brent Schrotenboer dropped the list the Tribune had compiled.

So, just so we are clear, the performance enhancing drug list in the NFL goes back to 1962 and includes 185 names since then, it includes at least one player from each position, that’s right even kickers were doing it, and at least one player in each season over the past 47 years.

Some would argue that baseball’s list was full of heavy hitters, including several players that would have gone to the Hall of Fame if not for the cloud of performance enhancing drugs.

Don’t worry though, in an attempt to not be left behind, the list of 185 contains 52 Pro Bowl players.

Also included on the list are four guys with their busts in Canton, Ohio.

When Manny tested positive for a female fertility drug used by known steroid users and Alex Rodriguez was identified as one of 104 names that tested positive, the entire world pointed the dirty end of the stick back at the MLB once more.

Yet these same people stood by Pro Bowlers Shawne Merriman, Todd Steussie, Shaun Rodgers, Todd Sauerbrun, Marcus Stroud, David Boston, Byron Chamberlain, Rodney Harrison, Barrett Robbin, Bill Romanowski, and Dana Stubblefield as each one of these all-stars tested positive in the NFL long after it introduced testing. By the time these guys tested positive, even baseball had a testing policy in place.

So as I hear the likes of Gregg Doyle over at CBS Sports.com lament the long ball and throw out accusations like, “Eventually, in months or years, someone from this year’s group of eight Derby sluggers will land on the wrong list of names. That’s damn near a lock.”

This after he informed us that this outrage was done back in February of 2009. “Listen, steroids such as those used by Rodriguez—and by Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens and so many others, allegedly—are wrong. They’re illegal, they’re unfair, they’re awful. My outrage is gone, sapped after 21 years of being angry about Ben Johnson and then Marion Jones and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti and Shawne Merriman and Bonds and Clemens and—done.”

“My outrage is done. You can have yours, and that’s good, because athletes and society need the outrage of everyday people to keep them in check. So be outraged. Me, I’m depressed about the steroid scandal. Just not outraged. Not anymore.”

So instead of being outraged, Doyle simply blasted eight guys, and predicted their guilt with no proof, but hey who needs proof right? This is Major League Baseball.

This is the hypocritical nature of our media. That’s right, I said it. MLB gets killed at every turn when steroids are mentioned. Shawne Merriman tested positive and made ESPN’s All Pro Team, and then received six votes by the Associated Press, yeah the AP, for Defensive Player of the Year.

Hopefully the day will come when our press decides to report the facts, instead of speculating in the interest of creating a story.

Come to think of it, considering what they allow to be swept under the rug, there should be plenty of stories to go around.

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Over the last two decades, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game has transformed from being simply a game to being a multi-day extravaganza where the game itself is simply one component. For that reason, the game has at times seemed to be anti-climatic, but has still produced some great memories.

After the National League dominated the competition throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including a stretch of 19 victories in 20 games, the rolls have completely reversed in recent years.

The American League has claimed 17 out of the last 20 meetings and has not lost to the National League since 1996.

In this final installment of the three part series in which we have reminisced about some of the great moments, games and players in All-Star history, we look at the most memorable games of the last two decades.

July 10, 1990 (Wrigley Field, Chicago)
The addition of lights at Wrigley Field allowed for the All-Star Game to be played at the storied venue for the first time since 1962.

The lights came in handy as the game endured 85 minutes worth of rain delays, which made it difficult for either team to develop a rhythm or establish a consistent pitching rotation.

The American League used six pitchers and the National League went through nine hurlers in the contest.

The game was scoreless until a two-run double by Julio Franco gave the AL all the runs they needed in posting a 2-0 victory.

July 12, 1994 (Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh)
In one of the most exciting All-Star Games in recent memory, the lead changed hands five times before the National League pulled out the victory in the 10th inning.

The NL jumped to a 4-1 advantage before the AL stormed back to claim a 7-5 lead entering the bottom of the ninth.

With Lee Smith, with 29 saves prior to the All-Star break, on the mound, the American League seemed poised to claim their fifth straight victory in the series.

However, Fred McGriff blasted a two-run home run to tie the game and send it into extra innings.

In his first All-Star Game, Moises Alou drove home the winning run with a double in the 10th inning to give the NL an 8-7 victory.

Given the excitement of the Midsummer Classic, few could have predicted that just one month later a work stoppage would end the season and deprive fans of the World Series for the first time in 90 years.

July 8, 1997 (Jacobs Field, Cleveland)
Eight American League pitchers allowed the National League only three hits as the Junior Circuit pulled out a 3-1 victory.

The game was tied 1-1 until Cleveland Indian catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. delighted the home crowd by blasting a two-run home run in the seventh inning.

Earlier in the inning, Javy Lopez became only the 11th player to hit a home run in his first All-Star Game at bat.

July 7, 1998 (Coors Field, Denver)
It was no surprise that the first All-Star Game played in a stadium known for producing runs would result in the highest scoring game in All-Star history.

A year after his brother earned game MVP honors; Roberto Alomar kept the award in the family as he had three hits, including a home run, to earn the honor.

Alex Rodriguez also homered for the AL and Cal Ripken Jr. drove home two runs.

Barry Bonds hit a home run for the National League and he and his father, Bobby, joined Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. as the only father-son combinations to hit home runs in All-Star competition.

July 13, 1999 (Fenway Park, Boston)
The final All-Star Game of the 20th Century is better remembered for the star-studded program prior to the game than actually for the game itself.

Many great Hall of Famers from the history of baseball joined the current All-Stars on the field for a special pre-game ceremony. Red Sox legend Ted Williams received the loudest ovation and was surrounded by current players as he made his way onto the field in a golf cart.

On the field, it was a current Red Sox star that took control of the game. Starting pitcher Pedro Martinez did not allow a hit while registering five strikeouts in two innings on the mound.

The AL scored twice in the first inning as Jim Thome and Cal Ripken Jr. each drove home runs. They also added two runs in the fourth inning to claim the 4-1 victory.

July 10, 2001 (Safeco Field, Seattle)
Few All-Star goodbyes have been as dramatic as the final All-Star appearance of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.

Having previously announced his retirement, Ripken was elected as the starting third baseman. However, when the game started, shortstop Alex Rodriguez encouraged Ripken to switch positions and return to the shortstop spot where he earned 14 of his 19 straight All-Star selections.

In the third inning, Ripken permanently stamped his mark on the game by blasting a solo home run off Chan Ho Park.

A pair of sixth inning home runs by Derek Jeter and Magglio Ordonez sealed the 4-1 victory for the American League.

July 9, 2002 (Miller Park, Milwaukee)
Over time, the All-Star Game had transformed from being a battle between rival players in the two leagues to an exhibition with the primary mission being to get as many players involved as possible.

That change in philosophy led to a nightmare scenario in 2002 when the game was ultimately declared a tie after 11 innings when both teams ran out of pitchers.

The game opened with excitement as Torii Hunter leaped high above the fence to rob Barry Bonds of what seemed to be a first inning home run. Bonds was not to be denied in the third inning as he blasted a two-run homer.

The NL led 5-2 before the AL rallied with four runs in the top of the seventh to take a 6-5 lead.

However, the advantage would be short-lived as a two-run single by Lance Berkman in the bottom of the inning put the NL back in front.

The final run of the game was scored in the eighth inning when Omar Vizquel tripled home the tying run.

Neither team scored through the first two extra innings with AL hurler Freddy Garcia and NL pitcher Vincente Padilla each throwing two scoreless innings.

As the 12th inning approached, the two managers–Joe Torre and Bob Brenly–curiously headed to the stands to confer with Commissioner Bud Selig.

As it turns out, they were relaying to the commissioner that there were no pitchers remaining for either team. Left with no other choice Selig, who ironically had been the owner of the host Milwaukee Brewers before assuming his duties, declared the game a tie.

It was the first time since 1961, when rain ended the game after nine innings that the game ended without a winner.

To make a bad situation even worse, it was decided that no Most Valuable Player Award would be given. That proved particularly embarrassing because the award had recently been renamed to honor the legendary Ted Williams, who had died a week prior to the contest.

Following the tie, several changes were made to increase the competitiveness of the game and ensure that teams would not again run out of players. Additional roster spots were added and, for the first time, the league that won the All-Star Game would receive home-field advantage in the World Series for that season.

July 11, 2006 (PNC Park, Pittsburgh)
The City of Pittsburgh hosted the All-Star Game for the fifth time with new PNC Park serving as a picturesque venue for the Midsummer Classic.

The National League took a 2-1 lead following single runs in the second and third innings. Neither squad could muster another run as the game headed to the ninth inning.

With closer Trevor Hoffman on the mound, the NL appeared poised to break their nine game losing streak to the AL.

However, after Hoffman retire the first two batters, he allowed consecutive hits to Paul Konerko and Troy Glaus. Michael Young then followed with a two-run triple to give the AL a 3-2 advantage.

The AL then turned to its own super-closer Mariano Rivera and he was able to seal the deal for the American League.

July 15, 2008 (Yankee Stadium, New York City)
In the final All-Star Game to be played at the original Yankee Stadium, the American League continued their dominance of the National League by claiming a one-run victory for the third straight year.

Unlike when the two teams ran out of pitchers after just 11 innings in 2002, both squads were able to make it through 15 innings without repeating that disastrous outcome.

The NL took the early lead with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

The AL tied the score in the seventh on a two-run home run by J.D. Drew.

After each squad scored once in the eighth inning, the game remained tied 3-3 through the 14th inning.

In the bottom of the 15th inning, a sacrifice fly by Michael Young scored Justin Morneau with the deciding run.

Even though the American League has won the last 11 meetings, the National League still holds an overall advantage of 40-37-2 entering the 80th installment of the series at the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

It has been a series filled with great performances, dramatic finishes and unexpected moments and there is little doubt that more special memories will be created this year and on into the future.

Related posts:

1. All-Star Shame; Prospects Flame
2. Great Moments in All-Star Game History: Part 2 (1960-1989)
3. Great Moments in All-Star Game History: Part 1, 1933-1959

The exhibition eventually moved beyond being just a game to include a home run contest and many other activities that gave fans the opportunity to see their heroes in a completely different atmosphere than ever before.

From the very beginning, the All-Star Game was a highly competitive contest that even though technically an exhibition, lacked little in desire by the great players to win the game and claim bragging rights over the other league.

The game began to lose a little of the competitive edge following the inception of free agency in the 1970s. More players were switching from league to league and by the 1980s it started to be more important to give as many players as possible a chance to play, rather than keep your best players out there for the entire contest.

Of course, that strategy culminated with the 2002 game, which had to be called with the game tied in the 12th inning because both teams had run out of players. We will look more in-depth at that game in part three of this series.

In this second installment of the three part series, we will relive some of the legendary moments and games in All-Star history between 1960 and 1989.

July 13, 1960 (Yankee Stadium, New York City)
Between 1959 and 1962, two All-Star Games were played each year to provide the opportunity for fans in different cities to see the players up close and personal.

The second All-Star Game of the 1960 season provided a homecoming for Willie Mays, who had not been back to New York City since the Giants moved to San Francisco following the 1957 season.

He didn’t disappoint as Mays led off the game with a single and then hit a home run in the third inning.

Eddie Mathews, Ken Boyer and Stan Musial also blasted home runs for the National League as they won the game 6-0.

Also of note in the game was that it marked the 18th and final All-Star appearance for Ted Williams.

July 31, 1961 (Fenway Park, Boston)
The second meeting between the All-Stars in 1961 marked the first time that the game ended in a tie as the game was knotted at 1-1 when rain prevented the game from continuing after nine innings.

The American League scored first on a home run by Rocky Colavito in the first inning. The National League didn’t score until the sixth inning when Eddie Mathews scored on a hit by Bill White.

July 13, 1965 (Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington)
The National League was 11-1 against the American League in the 1960s and when looking at the depth of the annual lineup the NL put on the field it is easy to understand why.

The 1965 team was a perfect illustration as three Hall of Fame outfielders–Roberto Clemente, Frank Robinson and Billy Williams–were the outfield reserves behind Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Willie Stargell.

This game also marked the All-Star debut for all-time hit king Pete Rose, who was the starting second baseman for the National League. Rose also started All-Star games at leftfield, third base and first base during his career.

Mays led off the game with a home run and the NL scored five runs in the first two innings to seize control.

However, the AL rallied to tie the game in the fifth inning thanks to home runs by Dick McAuliffe and Harmon Killebrew from the host Minnesota Twins.

A walk by Sam McDowell of Mays in the seventh led to the game winning run as Mays scored on an infield hit by Ron Santo. The potential tying run was at second base for the AL in the ninth inning, but Bob Gibson promptly struck out Killebrew and Joe Pepitone to end the game.

July 11, 1967 (Anaheim Stadium)
Until being matched in 2008, the 1967 All-Star game stood as the longest game in the fabled legacy of the Midsummer Classic.

The 1967 game was also one of the most dominating pitching performances in the history of the game as the two teams combined for only 17 hits in 15 innings.

Richie Allen gave the NL a lead in the second inning with a solo home run. The AL tied the score in the sixth on a home run by Brooks Robinson.

Over the next eight innings, the two pitching staffs combined to allow only eight total hits while striking out 15 batters.

Finally, in the 15th inning, Tony Perez finally broke the deadlock when he put a pitch from Catfish Hunter over the left-field fence. At the time, there was no limit on how many innings a pitcher could throw in the game and Hunter pitched the final five innings for the NL.

July 14, 1970 (Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati)
This game is best remembered for the ferocious collision between Ray Fosse and Pete Rose that resulted in Rose scoring the game-winning run in the 12th inning. However, that moment would never have happened had the AL not blown a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth.

A leadoff home run by Dick Dietz trimmed the advantage to two runs and then three straight hits and a sacrifice plated two additional runs to tie the game.

In the bottom of the 12th inning, Rose singled and then went to second on a hit by Billy Grabarkewitz. Looking to score on a single by Jim Hickman, Rose rounded third and arrived at home plate at almost the same instance as the throw from centerfielder Amos Otis. The collision with Fosse kept the catcher from securing the throw and Rose scored the winning run.

Many are quick to point to that moment, which occurred in Fosse’s first full season as a starter, as the pinnacle point in his career and the reason he never became a superstar. However, I tend to believe the moment is given too much credit.

Fosse was hitting .312 at the time of the All-Star break. He returned to the lineup immediately upon the resumption of the schedule and raised his average as high as .318 in the second half before finishing with a .307 average. The next season he hit .276 with 12 home runs and a career-high 62 RBI.

What may have been even more detrimental to Fosse’s career was the crushed disc in his neck that was suffered trying to break-up a clubhouse fight between Reggie Jackson and Billy North while Fosse played with the Oakland A’s in 1974.

July 13, 1971 (Tiger Stadium, Detroit)
The only American League victory in a 20-game stretch between 1963 and 1983 is specifically remembered for the mammoth home run that Reggie Jackson blasted off the light tower roughly 520 feet from home plate.

Jackson’s blast proved to be just one of many fireworks for the Junior Circuit, which erased an early 3-0 deficit on their way to a 6-4 victory.

Frank Robinson became the first player to hit home runs for both leagues with a two-run shot in the third inning. Killebrew also had a two-run home run for the AL.

July 19, 1977 (Yankee Stadium, New York City)
The National League seized control early as Joe Morgan led off the game with a home run and Greg Luzinski later blasted another off of starting pitcher Jim Palmer as the NL took an early 4-0 lead.

The AL trimmed the lead to 5-3 in the sixth inning, but the NL added two more runs in the eighth and won 7-5.

One interesting moment prior to the game was an argument between manager Billy Martin and pitcher Nolan Ryan.

Martin asked Ryan to replace his teammate, Frank Tanana, as the starting pitcher when Tanana couldn’t pitch due to an injury. Feeling he should have been picked originally, Ryan refused to pitch. It led Martin to proclaim that he would never again select Nolan Ryan for the All-Star Game.

Of course, Martin managed only twice more in the Midsummer Classic and Ryan was not on his staff.

August 9, 1981 (Municipal Stadium, Cleveland)
Following a strike that lasted nearly two months, baseball returned with only the second All-Star Game played in the month of August.

Gary Carter led the NL with a pair of home runs and Dave Parker and Mike Schmidt also hit homers as the Senior Circuit rallied to win 6-5.

The game marked the All-Star debut for colorful left-hander Fernando Valenzuela, who earned the start for the National League in his rookie season.

July 6, 1983 (Comiskey Park, Chicago)
Marking the 50th Anniversary of the first All-Star Game, the American League broke out of an 11-year funk to defeat the NL for the first time since 1971.

They did it in grand fashion, as Fred Lynn became the first player in All-Star Game history to hit a grand slam. The AL scored seven runs in the third inning and easily ended the losing streak with a 13-3 victory.

July 10, 1984 (Candlestick Park, San Francisco)
Fifty years after Carl Hubbell struck out five consecutive Hall of Famers in the 1934 All-Star Game, two of the best pitchers of the era commemorated the achievement with an impressive one of their own.

Fernando Valenzuela struck out three future Hall of Fame members–Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson and George Brett–in the fourth inning. The following inning, Dwight Gooden ran the streak to six by striking out all three batters he faced– Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon and Alvin Davis.

The NL took advantage of the great pitching and home runs by Dale Murphy and Gary Carter to win the game 3-1.

July 11, 1989 (Anaheim Stadium)
From the very beginning, there was little question that the 1989 All-Star Game was all about Bo Jackson.

Jackson led off the game with a monstrous home run to centerfield and finished the game with two hits and two RBI. He made a great defensive play on a liner by Pedro Guerrero to stop a potential NL rally and also had a stolen base.

Jackson’s opening blast was followed by a home run by Wade Boggs and the American League went on to score five runs in the first three innings on their way to a 5-3 victory. Unfortunately, it proved to be the only All-Star moment for Jackson as he suffered a severe hip injury playing football in 1990 and never again appeared in the Midsummer Classic.

Be sure to check back tomorrow, for the final article in this series as we look at memorable All-Star Games and moments from 1990-2008.

Related posts:

1. The Japanese All-Star Series
2. All-Star Shame; Prospects Flame
3. Great Moments in All-Star Game History: Part 3 (1990-2008)

Since its inception in 1933, the

There have been many memorable games and moments in the first 79 incarnations of the annual meeting between the top players of the American and National Leagues.

This is the first of a three-part series where we will relive some of the great moments and games in the history of this special series.

July 6, 1933 – Comiskey Park, Chicago
The idea of bringing the top players from both the American and National Leagues together in the middle of the season for one “All-Star” game was initiated by Arch Ward, a sports editor for the Chicago Tribune. The first game was played at Comiskey Park to coincide with Chicago’s Century of Progress Exposition.

In a fitting testimonial to his legendary career, Babe Ruth hit the first home run in All-Star history when he lifted a pitch from Bill Hallahan into the right-field stands in the third inning.

The American League went on to win the game 4-2 with Lefty Gomez earning the victory.

July 10, 1934 – Polo Grounds, New York City
Though the American League scored six runs in the fifth inning and held on for a 9-7 victory, this game is best remembered for the amazing pitching performance of a National League left-handed hurler.

When Carl Hubbell surrendered a hit and a walk to the first two American League batters in the opening inning of the game, it looked like the Junior Circuit was going to jump out to a big early lead. After all, the next three batters were all-time great sluggers Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx.

However, Hubbell settled down and mowed down all three batters on strikes. He opened the second inning by increasing his streak of strikeouts of future Hall of Famers to five when he struck out Al Simmons and Joe Cronin.

July 11, 1939 – Yankee Stadium, New York City
It was fitting that in the first All-Star Game played at Yankee Stadium, New York great Joe DiMaggio would provide the fireworks. His solo home run in the fifth inning gave the American League a 3-1 lead and they would hold on for the victory.

The game was particularly memorable because 20-year old Bob Feller made his All-Star debut and allowed only one hit in three and two third innings to earn a save.

July 8, 1941 – Briggs Stadium, Detroit
The final All-Star Game before the start of World War II proved to be quite a memorable one.

The National League, behind two home runs by Arky Vaughan, scored five runs between the sixth and eighth innings to take a 5-3 advantage into the bottom of the ninth.

With one out in the ninth, the American League loaded the bases with Joe DiMaggio coming to the plate. DiMaggio hit what seemingly would be a game-ending double play grounder to shortstop Eddie Miller. However, the throw from second baseman Billy Herman to first base was wide and DiMaggio was safe while one run scored.

The next batter was Ted Williams, making his second-ever All-Star appearance. The left-handed hitter sent a Claude Passeau fastball into the fight-field stands to give the American League a come-from-behind 7-5 victory.

July 9, 1946 – Fenway Park, Boston
After the 1945 game was canceled due to World War II, baseball was able to welcome back its great stars with a special celebration at Fenway Park.

The game itself was not one of the more competitive contests in the series as the American League easily won the game 12-0.

However, the game was fittingly a return to prominence for Boston great Ted Williams. He had four hits, including two home runs, and five RBI in the game. He also was part of the most memorable play of the game as he launched the famous “Eephus pitch” (also known as the blooper pitch) from Rip Sewell into the stands for an eighth inning home run.

July 12, 1949 – Ebbets Field, Brooklyn
Just two seasons after Jackie Robinson became the first black player in the modern era of baseball, Robinson was one of four black players to make their All-Star debut.

Fittingly played at Ebbets Field, the same park where Robinson had played his first game, Robinson, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe represented the National League and Larry Doby was on the roster for the American League.

The American League won the game 11-7 as Joe DiMaggio had two hits and drove in three runs. Robinson went 1-4 in the game, but scored three runs.

July 11, 1950 – Comiskey Park, Chicago
In the first All-Star Game to go extra innings, Ralph Kiner hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth to tie the game. National League pitchers didn’t allow a run over their final nine innings to keep the NL in the contest.

Finally, in the 14th inning, Red Schoendist blasted a leadoff home run to break the deadlock and the NL held on to win 4-3.

The American League lost more than a game as Ted Williams hit the wall making a running catch in the first inning and suffered a broken shoulder. In typical Williams’ fashion, he stayed in the game and went 1-4. It wasn’t until after the game that the extent of his injury was revealed.

July 13, 1954 – Municipal Stadium, Cleveland
In a game that tied or set All-Star records for hits, home runs and runs scored, the American League used a late rally to post an exciting 11-9 victory.

The National League took a 9-8 lead into the eighth inning.

Hometown hero Larry Doby excited the crowd by blasting a pinch-hit home run to tie the game. The AL then loaded the bases and Nellie Fox poked a hit into short center field to score two runs and give the Junior Circuit the lead.

Closer Virgil Trucks sealed the game for the American League in the top of the ninth.

July 12, 1955 – County Stadium, Milwaukee
It appeared early on that the American League would win this game in a blowout. Mickey Mantle blasted a home run to lead a four-run first inning for the AL and they led 5-0 after six innings.

However, the National League scored twice in the seventh and three times in the eighth inning to knot the game.

In the 12th inning, Stan Musial blasted the game winning home run off of Frank Sullivan to complete the comeback for the National League.

July 9, 1957 – Sportsman’s Park, St. Louis
Even before it began, the 1957 game was surrounded by controversy as fanatical Cincinnati voters stuffed the ballot boxes and elected seven Reds’ players to the starting lineup. Commissioner Ford Frick didn’t take kindly to the action and removed two of the Reds, Gus Bell and Wally Post, from the lineup. After the game, Frick changed the voting structure for the game and fans didn’t get to vote again until 1970.

The American League led 3-2 entering the ninth inning and promptly increased their edge to 6-2 with three runs. In the bottom of the inning, the National League scored twice before Minnie Minoso made a running catch of a drive off the bat of Gil Hodges to win the game.

Be sure to check back on tomorrow, for the second part of this series as we look at great All-Star moments from 1960-1989.

Related posts:

1. The Japanese All-Star Series
2. All-Star Shame; Prospects Flame
3. Great Moments in All-Star Game History: Part 3 (1990-2008)