History of the MLB All-Star game – 1970

National League 5,

American League 4 (12 inn.)

With the American League riding an embarrassing eight-game losing streak, AL manager Earl Weaver came into the game determined to win. And he’d have succeeded — if not for that pesky ninth inning and a collision between Pete Rose and Ray Fosse.

The streak appeared to be so much bad history as the AL took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth. The Nationals hooked into Catfish Hunter, who gave up a leadoff home run to Dick Dietz. Bud Harrelson singled and, after Cito Gaston popped out, Joe Morgan singled Harrelson to second. Weaver brought in Fritz Peterson to face Willie McCovey, who promptly ripped a single into center, scoring Harrelson and sending Morgan to third with the tying run. Weaver brought in Mel Stottlemyre to face pinch-hitter Roberto Clemente, whose sac fly tied it.

In the bottom of the 12th, the Nationals could be held down no longer. Pete Rose singled and went to second on another single by Billy Grabarkewitz. Jim Hickman lined a single to center and Amos Otis charged the ball, firing to the plate for a play on Rose.

Fosse tried mightily to block the plate, but Rose was trying mightily to score and it was no contest. Rose bowled over Fosse, who was dazed by the collision, and scored the winning run.