1999 All-Star Game
This year the American League was going for the hat-trick as they stepped onto the hallowed grounds of Fenway Park. In a touching pre-game ceremony, a collection of the game's all-time All-Stars gathered in the infield. The biggest ovation in Boston was for legendary outfielder Ted Williams, who returned to the stadium he called home for nineteen seasons. When the game started, Boston's current star, pitcher Pedro Martinez, took center stage. He entered the game with one-hundred eighty-two strikeouts, worked his magic on the National League's finest and struck out Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, and Sammy Sosa consecutively in the first inning. In the bottom of the first, Kenny Lofton started things off with a single. With two outs and Manny Ramirez at the plate, Lofton stole second. After Ramirez walked, the setting looked like an Indians game with Lofton and Ramirez on base and slugger Jim Thome at bat. Thome didn't disappoint Cleveland and American League fans by singling to center, scoring Lofton. Then Cal Ripken, Jr. drove in Ramirez with a single and suddenly the junior circuit was in control with a 2-0 lead. In the top of the second, Martinez continued to dominate on the mound, striking out homerun king Mark McGwire. One more strikeout and Martinez would match the famous feat of Carl Hubbell in 1934 who struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin consecutively. Unfortunately, all great things must come to an end as Matt Williams ended the streak by reaching base on an error in the next at-bat. With two strikes on Jeff Bagwell, Williams was stealing but Martinez hurled a strike and catcher Ivan Rodriguez threw out Williams, completing a double play. The National League provided a scare in the ninth inning with a one-out single by Brian Jordan, but Jeff Kent ended the short-lived rally by hitting into a double-play. The win was the American League's third consecutive victory and for once, they had completely dominated a decade by winning in seven out of ten meetings.
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