1968 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

The 1968 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 39th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League (AL) and National League (NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball.

1968 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
American League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
National League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 x 1 5 0
DateJuly 9, 1968
VenueHouston Astrodome
CityHouston, Texas
Managers
MVPWillie Mays (San Francisco Giants)
Attendance48,321
TelevisionNBC
TV announcersCurt Gowdy, Pee Wee Reese and Sandy Koufax
RadioNBC
Radio announcersJim Simpson, Tony Kubek and Gene Elston

The game was held on July 9, 1968, at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas the home of the Houston Astros of the National League, making this the first All-Star Game to be played indoors. The game resulted in the National League defeating the American League 1–0. It is the only All-Star Game played without a run batted in (RBI).

This was the first night All-Star Game since 1944. Apart from the 1969 game (which was originally scheduled to be played at night but was postponed to the following afternoon due to rain), all subsequent All-Star Games have been played at night.

The next indoor All-Star Game was eleven years later, at the Kingdome in Seattle.

Game summary

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The American League was limited to three hits, unable to get a rally going against Don Drysdale, Juan Marichal, Steve Carlton and Tom Seaver, all future Hall of Famers.

A first-inning run scored by Willie Mays on a single, an errant pickoff attempt, a wild pitch by Luis Tiant and a double-play ball gave the winning National league the only run they would need.

Don Wert's eighth-inning double momentarily gave the AL a threat to tie the game, but Seaver struck out the side. In the ninth, with two out, Jerry Koosman was brought in from the bullpen to face Carl Yastrzemski, whose strikeout ended the game.

Starting lineups

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American League National League
Order Player Team Position Order Player Team Position
1 Jim Fregosi Angels SS 1 Willie Mays Giants OF
2 Rod Carew Twins 2B 2 Curt Flood Cardinals OF
3 Carl Yastrzemski Red Sox OF 3 Willie McCovey Giants 1B
4 Frank Howard Senators OF 4 Hank Aaron Braves OF
5 Willie Horton Tigers OF 5 Ron Santo Cubs 3B
6 Harmon Killebrew Twins 1B 6 Tommy Helms Reds 2B
7 Bill Freehan Tigers C 7 Jerry Grote Mets C
8 Brooks Robinson Orioles 3B 8 Don Kessinger Cubs SS
9 Luis Tiant Indians P 9 Don Drysdale Dodgers P

Reserves

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American League

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Pitchers

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Throws Pitcher Team Notes
RH Gary Bell Boston Red Sox
LH Tommy John Chicago White Sox
LH Sam McDowell Cleveland Indians
RH Denny McLain Detroit Tigers
RH Blue Moon Odom Oakland Athletics
RH José Santiago Boston Red Sox
RH Mel Stottlemyre New York Yankees

Position players

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Position Player Team Notes
1B Mickey Mantle New York Yankees
1B Boog Powell Baltimore Orioles
2B Davey Johnson Baltimore Orioles
3B Don Wert Detroit Tigers
C Joe Azcue Cleveland Indians
C Duane Josephson Chicago White Sox
OF Rick Monday Oakland Athletics
OF Tony Oliva Minnesota Twins
OF Ken Harrelson Boston Red Sox
SS Bert Campaneris Oakland Athletics

National League

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Pitchers

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Throws Pitcher Team Notes
LH Steve Carlton St. Louis Cardinals
LH Woody Fryman Philadelphia Phillies
RH Bob Gibson St. Louis Cardinals
RH Jerry Koosman New York Mets
RH Juan Marichal San Francisco Giants
RH Ron Reed Atlanta Braves
RH Tom Seaver New York Mets

Position players

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Position Player Team Notes
1B Rusty Staub Houston Astros
2B Julian Javier St. Louis Cardinals
3B Tony Pérez Cincinnati Reds
C Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds
C Tom Haller Los Angeles Dodgers
OF Felipe Alou Atlanta Braves
OF Matty Alou Pittsburgh Pirates
OF Pete Rose Cincinnati Reds
OF Billy Williams Chicago Cubs
SS Gene Alley Pittsburgh Pirates
SS Leo Cardenas Cincinnati Reds

Line score

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Line score

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Tuesday, July 9, 1968 7:15 pm (CT) at Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
American League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
National League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 1 5 0
WP: Don Drysdale (1-0)   LP: Luis Tiant (0-1)   Sv: Jerry Koosman
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