50 years ago - the 1971 All-Star Game

[WillyM]

The 1971 All-Star Game was played in Detroit on July 13, 1971, 50 years to the day prior to this year's All-Star Game.

The Orioles were very well represented, with Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, and Boog Powell elected to the starting lineup, Jim Palmer and Mike Cuellar named to the pitching staff, and Don Buford named as a reserve.  (Boog did not play due to injury.)

Palmer and Cuellar each pitched two shutout innings.  I remember that Palmer struck out the first batter he faced, Willie Stargell, but the ball briefly eluded catcher Bill Freehan, and you could hear Palmer's voice on the telecast as he yelled "Throw him out, Bill!"

Though the most memorable moment in the game was future Oriole Reggie Jackson's titanic home run off the light tower above the right-field stands in the third inning, Frank's two-run homer later in the same inning put the American League into the lead and Frank was named the game's Most Valuable Player.   He also became the first player ever to have hit home runs for both the American and National Leagues during All-Star games.

Edited July 14, 2021 by WillyM
added detail

[SteveA]

1 minute ago, WillyM said:

The 1971 All-Star Game was played in Detroit on July 13, 1971, 50 years to the day prior to this year's All-Star Game.

The Orioles were very well represented, with Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, and Boog Powell elected to the starting lineup, Jim Palmer and Mike Cuellar named to the pitching staff, and Don Buford named as a reserve.

Palmer and Cuellar each pitched two shutout innings.  I remember that Palmer struck out the first batter he faced, Willie Stargell, but the ball briefly eluded catcher Bill Freehan, and you could hear Palmer's voice on the telecast as he yelled "Throw him out, Bill!"

Though the most memorable moment in the game was future Oriole Reggie Jackson's titanic home run off the light tower above the right-field stands in the third inning, Frank's two-run homer later in the same inning put the American League into the lead and Frank was named the game's Most Valuable Player.   He also became the first player ever to have hit home runs for both the American and National Leagues during All-Star games.

Probably more talent on the field for that All Star Game than for any other baseball game ever played.

[scOtt]

On 7/14/2021 at 3:29 PM, SteveA said:

Probably more talent on the field for that All Star Game than for any other baseball game ever played.

I imagine there was a lot of the Big Red Machine too. Us, Pitt, Oakland, Cincy, Detroit, San Fran.

[Frobby]

On 7/14/2021 at 3:29 PM, SteveA said:

Probably more talent on the field for that All Star Game than for any other baseball game ever played.

I’ll go with this one:

 

[Redskins Rick]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_Major_League_Baseball_All-Star_Game

26 future HOFers were present at this game.

pretty incredible lineup and bench for both sides.