1970 All-Star Game
The American League entered the 1970's determined to break the embarrassing seven-game losing streak that had plagued them throughout the previous decade. American League manager Earl Weaver anticipated strong pitching as their best chance against the National League's power hitters. It appeared to be working as a pitcher's duel dominated the majority of the game. Finally, the streak appeared to be a bad memory as the American League took a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. Then it happened... The National League hooked into Catfish Hunter, who gave up a lead-off home run to Dick Dietz. Singles by the next three batters followed and a Roberto Clemente sacrifice put the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the twelfth, Pete Rose singled, then went to second on another single by Billy Grabarkewitz. Jim Hickman lined a single to center and Amos Otis charged the ball, firing a rocket to the plate for a play on Rose. Fosse tried mightily to block the plate, but Rose was determined to score and it was no contest. He bowled over Fosse, who was dazed by the collision, and scored the winning run. A new decade had begun, but the same results echoed on. Once again, the National League had come from behind to snatch another victory from the Americans.
|
