1976 All-Star Game
As America celebrated its 200th anniversary, the league held a fitting tribute to baseball as America's game, appropriately holding the All-Star event at Veterans Stadium. Many felt that it had lost it's magic and that the days of glory, where anyone can be a hero, were fading memories in the past. The United State's Bicentennial provided a perfect opportunity to showcase the history of a game that had started it's roots during the Civil War and had helped, many times as a deterrent, to heal a nation during times of crisis. Unfortunately, the patriotic festivities and red, white and blue banners were not enough to change the play on the field. The '76 edition was reminiscent of the '73 and '74 games, won 7-1 and 7-2 by the Nationals. This time, it was 7-1 National League again. Despite another loss, the Americans did have the most colorful and talked-about performer in losing pitcher Mark Fidrych. A rookie from the Tigers, he had charmed his way into fans' hearts with his antics on the mound, which included talking to himself and sometimes to the ball. This game also marked the 100th anniversary of the National League and the team responded by hitting two home runs and scoring seven runs on ten hits.
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