MLB All-Star Weekend Los Angeles 2022: Memorable Moments in All-Star Game History

The Dodgers haven’t hosted an MLB All-Star Weekend since 1980, and while the club was supposed to entertain this event a couple of years ago, 2020 had other plans. So when is the MLB All-Star Game? The National and American leagues square off on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 — nearly 90 years after the original All-Star Game on July 5, 1933. Though many things have changed since then — the bats, uniforms and nostalgic black-and-white pictures that captured historical highlights of yesteryear — the competitiveness that produced these memorable moments remains the same. Here are a few of our favorite, heartwarming All-Star Weekend highlights throughout the years: 

A 15-Inning Marathon Match

In 2008, the American League (AL) and the National League (NL) faced off for a final game at the old, beloved Yankee Stadium. The night would not only prove historic in location but longevity as well. The contest goes down in the books as the longest-lasting All-Star Game ever, ending with a score of 4-to-3 after a 15-inning match with the AL on top after Justin Morneau crossed home following Michael Young’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly. 

The Rose-Fosse Collision

The 1970 Midsummer Classic took place at the then-recently completed Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. At the bottom of the 12th, history and determination collided, as did runner Pete Rose and catcher Ray Fosse, when Rose steamrolled toward home intent on scoring. And score he did, slamming into Fosse, who dropped the ball amid the jolting impact that sent both men flying, leaving Fosse with a career-altering separated shoulder.

A Comeback for the Ages

The early innings of this 1955 star-studded game seemed to forecast a ho-hum event when the AL earned an early 5-to-0 lead, including a three-run homer by the iconic Mickey Mantle. However, excitement returned when Willie Mays and Hank Aaron scored five runs in the following innings to close the gap. The teams held the tie until the bottom of the 12th when Stan Musial secured a walk-off homer. Legend has it that before hitting the homer, Musial turned to AL catcher Yogi Berra and remarked, “Let’s end this thing.” A tired Berra agreed, and Musial smashed the first pitch from Red Sox pitcher Frank Sullivan.

Williams’ Historic Homer

Ted Williams ended his 1941 season with an exceptional .406 batting average, but his performance in that summer’s All-Star Game further solidified his greatness. Williams and his AL teammates trailed 5 to 3 in the top of the ninth. After Williams’ teammate Joe DiMaggio delivered a game-tying double to keep his team in the game, Williams belted a game-winning, right-field, walk-off homer and was ecstatically escorted home by a barrage of his celebrating teammates. 

Torii Hunter Robs Barry Bonds

Even if you’re not an avid baseball fan, you likely know the name Barry Bonds. One name you may not know is Torii Hunter; however, Hunter made himself known during the 2002 All-Star competition. Bonds, a home-run king of his day, slammed the ball toward the right-field stands for what looked to be an easy homer. But Hunter had other plans. Out of nowhere, the centerfielder sprang vertically to catch the would-be homer, leaving the crowd to produce a celebratory eruption while Bonds could do nothing but slow his run and smile. 

Shop our Hibbett | City Gear selection of MLB fan gear for men, women and children, and suit up alongside your favorite players for the 2022 MLB All-Star Weekend!