1989 All-Star Game
This game featured one of the most gifted and versatile athletes ever to play in professional sports. Bo Jackson was a standout player for the National Football League (NFL) as well as Major League Baseball (MLB) and many feel that if his career had not ended so early on, he could have been one of the greatest in both sports. Jackson not only started the rally in this game but he also maintained and finished it. He was the leadoff batter going up against Rick Reuschel. With one swing of his bat, the tone was set. "When the ball hit the bat," said National League manager Tommy Lasorda, "it sounded like he hit a golf ball." The ball sailed high and far, soared over the center-field fence and landed an estimated four-hundred forty-eight feet from home plate. From then on it was a Jackson highlight film showcasing his power and speed. He stole a base and raced from left field to left center to catch a Pedro Guerrero liner with two runners in scoring position and two out in the National League's first inning. The American League won its first back-to-back All-Star games for the first time since 1957-58. The league was ecstatic from the variety of exciting and unpredictable games that the 80's had provided and hoped that this trend would last into the 90's.
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