All-Star Game Memorable Moments

All-Star Game Memorable Moments

Soriano's Blast

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

AL second baseman Alfonso Soriano dealt the crushing blow early with a three-run home run that capped a six-run first inning off hometown starter Roger Clemens of the Astros. Soriano was named MVP.

Hammerin' Hank

AP

Texas third baseman Hank Blalock gave the AL home field advantage in the World Series with a stunning two-run home run off Eric Gagne at U.S. Cellular Field. Blalock became the 12th player to go deep in his first All-Star at-bat.

Hunter Robs Bonds

AP

The infamous tie in Milwaukee might have turned out differently had AL center fielder Torii Hunter not robbed Barry Bonds of a home run in the first inning.

Cal's Farewell

AP

Playing in his 18th and final All-Star Game, Cal Ripken Jr. went deep off Chan Ho Park to win his second MVP award in the midsummer classic.

Pedro Overpowers

AP

Pitching in his home ballpark of Fenway, Pedro Martinez became the first pitcher to strike out the first four batters in an All-Star Game. The MVP struck out five of the six batters he faced, and the AL won 4-1.

Splended Splinter

John Iacono/SI

Boston legend Ted Williams was among 41 legends introduced before the 1999 game, but none elicited a bigger reaction than the Splended Splinter.

Walker vs. Unit

AP

Rockies slugger Larry Walker became a switch-hitter rather than face Randy Johnson from the left side of the plate at Cleveland's Jacobs Field.

Mr. Marlin

AP

Jeff Conine, the nascent Marlins' lone representative, hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning to give the NL a 3-2 win in Arlington, Texas, and stake a claim to the MVP trophy.

Bo Knows

V.J. Lovero/SI

Royals slugger and two-sport star Bo Jackson led off the bottom of the first at Anaheim Stadium with a home run off NL starter Rick Reuschel that keyed the AL's 5-3 victory and garnered Jackson MVP honors.

First Grand Slam

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The AL won for the first time since 1971 as the Angels' Fred Lynn hit the first grand slam in All-Star Game history. Lynn's shot off Atlee Hammaker came after the NL intentionally walked Robin Yount at old Comiskey Park.

Down Goes Fosse

AP

In a play that came to epitomize the play-to-win attitude of All-Star Games past, Pete Rose scored the winning run in the bottom of the 12th by barreling into catcher Ray Fosse at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.

Walk It Off, Ted

Courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Joe DiMaggio, left, was on base when Ted Williams hit a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to lift the AL to a 7-5 victory in the midsummer classic in Detroit's old Briggs Stadium.

King Carl

AP

Future Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell of the Giants made All-Star history by striking out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmy Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin in succession at the Polo Grounds in New York.