In 1939: The first of only three All-Star games ever to be played at Yankee Stadium saw the A.L. defeat the N.L 3-1. Joe Dimaggio homered in the fifth inning to provide the offense. Later that year, New York would become the first team to host an All-Star Game and win the World Series in the same year (they did it again in 1977 and barely lost in 1960).
In 1944: Pittsburgh hosted it’s first All-Star Game at Forbes Field. The N.L. won 7-1, but both rosters lacked the big-name stars of the day as many players were serving in World War II. It was also one of the most poorly attended All-Star Games, with just over 25,000 fans.
In 1967: In Anaheim, CA, the N.L. defeated the A.L. in 15 innings in the longest All-Star Game in history. Played during the height of the last great pitcher’s era, the two teams combined for 30 strikeouts. Tony Perez of the Cincinnati Reds won the game’s MVP award with a solo home run off Catfish Hunter in the 15th inning.
In 1989: Bo Jackson of the Kansas City Royals stole the show with a towering, 448-foott leadoff home run off the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning of the 60th All-Star Game, once again hosted by the Angels in Anaheim. Jackson also doubled, stole third and made a great defensive play to win the MVP award.
In 1995: Pitcher Hideo Nomo of the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first Japanese player to appear in an All-Star Game as he started for the National League at the Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. Despite managing only three hits (and being no-hit through the first six innings), the N.L. scratched out the win with three solo home runs. Jeff Conine of the Florida Marlins hit the game-winner and was named MVP.
