1981 the largest crowd in All-Star Game history watches the National League defeat the American League

Gary Carter

On August 9, 1981, coming back from the players strike, the largest crowd in All-Star Game history watches the National League defeat the American League, 5-4, at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium. Playing in front of a throng of 72,086 fans, future Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter hits two solo home runs and is named the game’s MVP.

The crowd is also treated to the kissing bandit Morganna plants on a very willing hometown hero Len Barker, his first pitch that at the time ended the longest strike in professional sports history.

Giants southpaw Vida Blue becomes the first pitcher to win the Mid-Summer Classic for both leagues.

National League would win on a 2 run home run by Mike Schmidt in the 8th off Rollie Fingers. 10th win in a row for the NL and 18th of 19 games. Carter hit 2 dingers and Dave Parker another in what seemed like home run derby. Ken Singleton jacked one for the AL.

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The American League defeats the National League, 9 – 3, in the 1993 All-Star Game. Kirby Puckett, Roberto Alomar, and Gary Sheffield hit home runs, while the win goes to Jack McDowell. Craig Biggio is at 2B for the NL: last year, he was on the team as a catcher, the first player ever to make it at those two positions. A highlight of the game is Randy Johnson firing a 95-MPH fastball over John Kruk’s head. Kruk bails out on the next two pitches, saying afterwards: “he’s going to kill somebody.”
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