1980 All-Star Game

As baseball ushered in the 80's the National League was riding a three decade winning streak much like the American League had from the 30's-50's. Surprisingly, most of their wins came after late-inning comebacks and extra-innings.

The American League knew that great pitching would be the key to victory as many of the new players who were replacing the retiring All-Star journeymen were major threats at the plate. They got their wish as starter Steve Stone pitched three perfect innings (becoming the first to do so since Denny McLain in 1966). Tommy John did the same for another 1 2/3 innings. By then, the American League even had a 2-0 lead.

The American League pitchers kept the National League in check by throwing a perfect game into the fifth. Then as expected, the National League made a spectacular comeback that had become their signature at the midsummer classic. Ken Griffey started the rally off with a homerun. With one out, singles by Ray Knight, Phil Garner and George Hendrick tied it. Ed Farmer replaced John and Dave Winfield blistered a ground ball that Willie Randolph couldn't handle. Garner scored the go-ahead run and the American League went down to their ninth straight loss. Much like 1960 and 1970, it was the start of a new decade, but the same old All-Star Game.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"The National League has better individual players, more true superstars, and it's that talent that comes out in the end." - Los Angeles Dodger Outfielder Reggie Smith

1980 All-Star Game

1980 All-Star Game Program

1980 All-Star Game Official Program

Game Number 51
Date / Box Score 07-08-1980
Location Dodger Stadium
Attendance (Rank) 56,088
M.V.P. Award Ken Griffey
Starting Pitchers Steve Stone J.R. Richard
Managers Earl Weaver Chuck Tanner
Coaches Jim Frey John McNamara
Frank Robinson Bill Virdon
Honorary Captains Al Kaline Roy Campanella

1980 All-Star Game

Line Score

League 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
American 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 7 1
National 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 x 4 7 0
Steve Stone
Tommy John (L, 4th)
Ed Farmer (6th)
Dave Stieb (7th)
Rich Gossage (8)
J.R. Richard
Bob Welch (3rd)
Jerry Reuss (W, 6th)
Jim Bibby (7th)
Bruce Sutter (S, 8th)
Fred Lynn (5th) Ken Griffey (5th)

1980 All-Star Game

American League All-Star Squad

Buddy Bell Texas Rangers 3B
George Brett Kansas City Royals 3B Injured
Al Bumbry Baltimore Orioles OF
Tom Burgmeier Boston Red Sox P Did Not Pitch
2. Rod Carew California Angels 1B
Cecil Cooper Milwaukee Brewers 1B
8. Bucky Dent New York Yankees SS
Ed Farmer Chicago White Sox P
6. Carlton Fisk Boston Red Sox C
Rich Gossage New York Yankees P
Bobby Grich California Angels 2B
Larry Gura Kansas City Royals P Did Not Pitch
Rickey Henderson Oakland Athletics OF
Rick Honeycutt Seattle Mariners P Did Not Pitch
4. Reggie Jackson New York Yankees OF
Tommy John New York Yankees P
Ken Landreaux Minnesota Twins OF
3. Fred Lynn Boston Red Sox OF
Paul Molitor Milwaukee Brewers 2B Injured
7. Graig Nettles New York Yankees 3B
5. Ben Oglivie Milwaukee Brewers OF
Al Oliver Texas Rangers OF
Jorge Orta Cleveland Indians OF Did Not Play
Lance Parrish Detroit Tigers C
Darrell Porter Kansas City Royals C
1. Willie Randolph New York Yankees 2B
Jim Rice Boston Red Sox OF Injured
Dave Stieb Toronto Blue Jays P
9. Steve Stone Baltimore Orioles P Starting Pitcher
Alan Trammell Detroit Tigers SS
Robin Yount Milwaukee Brewers SS
BOLD = Fan's choice to start the game (Manager chooses pitcher).

1980 All-Star Game

National League All-Star Squad

5. Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds C
Jim Bibby Pittsburgh Pirates P
Vida Blue San Francisco Giants P Injured
Steve Carlton Philadelphia Phillies P Did Not Pitch
Gary Carter Montreal Expos C
Dave Concepcion Cincinnati Reds SS
Jose Cruz Houston Astros OF Did Not Play
Phil Garner Pittsburgh Pirates 2B
4. Steve Garvey Los Angeles Dodgers 1B
Ken Griffey Cincinnati Reds OF
George Hendrick St. Louis Cardinals OF
Keith Hernandez St. Louis Cardinals 1B
6. Dave Kingman Chicago Cubs OF
Ray Knight Cincinnati Reds 3B
1. Davey Lopes Los Angeles Dodgers 2B
Dale Murphy Atlanta Braves OF
3. Dave Parker Pittsburgh Pirates OF
7. Ken Reitz St. Louis Cardinals 3B
Jerry Reuss Los Angeles Dodgers P
9. J.R. Richard Houston Astros P Starting Pitcher
Pete Rose Philadelphia Phillies 1B
8. Bill Russell Los Angeles Dodgers SS
Mike Schmidt Philadelphia Phillies 3B Injured
2. Reggie Smith Los Angeles Dodgers OF
John Stearns New York Mets C
Bruce Sutter Chicago Cubs P
Kent Tekulve Pittsburgh Pirates P Did Not Pitch
Bob Welch Los Angeles Dodgers P
Ed Whitson San Francisco Giants P Did Not Pitch
Dave Winfield San Diego Padres OF

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

Game / Box Links: 1980 Box Score | 1980 Play-by-Play
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baseball almanac flat baseball

baseball almanac fast facts

The home run hit by Fred Lynn during the fifth inning was his third career All-Star home run. His earlier long balls were hit during the 1976 All-Star Game and 1979 All-Star Game.

Ken Griffey broke up the no-hit gem by slamming a home run during the fifth inning off Tommy John which earned him the All-Star Most Valuable Player Award.

Did you know that this was the first and only All-Star Game ever held / played in Dodger Stadium?