1971 All-Star Game

After nine consecutive losing appearances, the American League appeared to be on their way to yet another disappointing loss. The National League jumped out 3-0, but the American League came back in the bottom of the third and, for the first time since 1964, actually took the lead.

Luis Aparicio led off with a single and Earl Weaver sent up Reggie Jackson, who was in only his fourth full season. Jackson made his at-bat debut with a homerun that struck a light tower on Tiger Stadium's roof some 520 feet from home plate. It was just a preview of what was to come from the future hall of famer.

Two batters later, Frank Robinson (who, incidentally, became the first to home for both sides in the All-Star Game) stepped up to the plate and fired a rocket into the lower right-field seats putting the American League up, 4-3. Then they added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Roberto Clemente's homer in the eighth was the only action the National League could muster and it would not be enough.

What made this game so exceptional was not only that the American League had finally won their first Midsummer Classic since 1962, but that all six home runs were shots from future hall of fame players! The sports headlines in newspapers across the country read: "Stop the presses! The American League wins one!" The All-Star curse was finally broken, but would the American League be able to maintain the momentum into the next season?

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers." - Frank Robinson in The Aurora County All-Stars (Deborah Wiles, Sandpiper Publishing, 02/01/2009, Page 156)

1971 All-Star Game

1971 & 1970 All Star Ballots
Game Number 42
Date / Box Score 07-13-1971
Location Tiger Stadium
Attendance (Rank) 53,559
National Anthem Bob Taylor (Local Singer)
M.V.P. Award Frank Robinson
Starting Pitchers Vida Blue Dock Ellis
Managers Earl Weaver Sparky Anderson
Coaches Billy Hunter Walter Alston
Billy Martin Preston Gomez
- Danny Murtaugh

1971 All Star Game

Line Score / Box Score

League 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
National 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 5 0
American 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 x 6 7 0
Dock Ellis (L)
Juan Marichal (4th)
Fergie Jenkins ( 6th)
Don Wilson (7th)
Vida Blue (W)
Jim Palmer (4th)
Mike Cuellar (6th)
Mickey Lolich (8th)
Johnny Bench (2nd)
Hank Aaron (3rd)
Roberto Clemente (8th)
Frank Robinson (3rd)
Reggie Jackson (3rd)
Harmon Killebrew (6th)

1971 All-Star Game

National League All-Star Squad

2. Hank Aaron Atlanta Braves OF
7. Glenn Beckert Chicago Cubs 2B
6. Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds C
Bobby Bonds San Francisco Giants OF
Lou Brock St. Louis Cardinals OF
Steve Carlton St. Louis Cardinals P Did Not Pitch
Clay Carroll Cincinnati Reds P
Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates OF
Nate Colbert San Diego Padres 1B
Willie Davis Los Angeles Dodgers OF
Larry Dierker Houston Astros P Injured
9. Dock Ellis Pittsburgh Pirates P Starting Pitcher
8. Bud Harrelson New York Mets SS
Fergie Jenkins Chicago Cubs P
Don Kessinger Chicago Cubs SS
Juan Marichal San Francisco Giants P
Lee May Cincinnati Reds 1B
1. Willie Mays San Francisco Giants OF
5. Willie McCovey San Francisco Giants 1B
Felix Millan Atlanta Braves 2B
Pete Rose Cincinnati Reds OF
Manny Sanguillen Pittsburgh Pirates C Did Not Play
Ron Santo Chicago Cubs 3B
Tom Seaver New York Mets P Did Not Pitch
4. Willie Stargell Pittsburgh Pirates OF
Rusty Staub Montreal Expos OF Did Not Play
3. Joe Torre St. Louis Cardinals 3B
Don Wilson Houston Astros P
Rick Wise Philadelphia Phillies P Did Not Pitch
BOLD = Fan's choice to start the game (Manager chooses pitcher).

1971 All-Star Game

American League All-Star Squad

8. Luis Aparicio Boston Red Sox SS
9. Vida Blue Oakland Athletics P Starting Pitcher
Don Buford Baltimore Orioles OF
Leo Cardenas Minnesota Twins SS Did Not Play
1. Rod Carew Minnesota Twins 2B
5. Norm Cash Detroit Tigers 1B
Mike Cuellar Baltimore Orioles P
Dave Duncan Oakland Athletics C Did Not Play
Ray Fosse Cleveland Indians C Injured
7. Bill Freehan Detroit Tigers C
Frank Howard Washington Senators OF
Reggie Jackson Oakland Athletics OF
Al Kaline Detroit Tigers OF
Harmon Killebrew Minnesota Twins 3B
Mickey Lolich Detroit Tigers P
Sam McDowell Cleveland Indians P Injured
Bill Melton Chicago White Sox 3B Did Not Play
Andy Messersmith California Angels P Did Not Pitch
Thurman Munson New York Yankees C
2. Bobby Murcer New York Yankees OF
Tony Oliva Minnesota Twins OF Injured
Amos Otis Kansas City Royals OF
Jim Palmer Baltimore Orioles P
Marty Pattin Milwaukee Brewers P Did Not Pitch
Jim Perry Minnesota Twins P Did Not Pitch
Boog Powell Baltimore Orioles 1B Did Not Play
6. Brooks Robinson Baltimore Orioles 3B
4. Frank Robinson Baltimore Orioles OF
Cookie Rojas Kansas City Royals 2B
Sonny Siebert Boston Red Sox P Did Not Pitch
Wilbur Wood Chicago White Sox P Did Not Pitch
3. Carl Yastrzemski Boston Red Sox OF

BOLD = Fan's choice to start the game (Manager chooses pitcher).

Game / Box Links: 1971 Box Score | 1971 Play-by-Play
Navigation: Previous Classic | Next Classic

baseball almanac flat baseball

baseball almanac fast facts

The home run hit by Frank Robinson in the third inning made him the first player to hit All-Star home runs from both leagues (his National League long ball took place during the 1959 All-Star Game when he was playing for the Cincinnati Reds).

The attendance was a record (at the time) for the Midsummer Classic and the gate revenue was an all time high $435,134.

The shot hit by Reggie Jackson in the bottom of the third is a true classic as it hit the light tower on top of the second deck of the stadium in right center.