The 1980 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 51st midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 8, 1980, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League. The game resulted in a 4–2 victory for the NL.
While this would mark the second time that the Dodgers had hosted the All-Star Game in Los Angeles, it was the first time that the game was being held at Dodger Stadium. Their first time as host in 1959 saw the game played at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; the Dodgers' Los Angeles home field until the construction of Dodger Stadium.
This All-Star Game would be known for some exemplary pitching performances, most notably AL starter Steve Stone's (three perfect innings, three strikeouts). Jerry Reuss struck out the side for the NL in the sixth, as well.
It would also be one of the final games for NL starter J. R. Richard. Richard was diagnosed with a career-ending stroke weeks later.
The pregame ceremonies of the All-Star Game featured Disney characters. Later, Edwards Air Force Base of Rosamond, California, provided both the colors presentation and, after the Los Angeles All-City Band performed the Canadian and U.S. National Anthems, the flyover ceremonies. This All-Star Game marked the first nationally televised US performance of O Canada after it had officially been designated the Canadian National Anthem seven days earlier on July 1, 1980. It also marked the debut of the modern-day large-scale video screen, with the first such video scoreboard, Diamond Vision by Mitsubishi Electric, being introduced at this game.
Game summary The AL and NL were locked in a scoreless duel for four innings, including Stone's performance mentioned above. Fred Lynn would break the deadlock in the top of the fifth with a two-run homer off Bob Welch.
The National League came back with a single run in their half of the fifth when Ken Griffey homered off Tommy John. The NL took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when George Hendrick singled home Ray Knight and Phil Garner scored on a Willie Randolph error.
The NL's final run scored in the seventh when Dave Concepcion reached on a fielder's choice, went to second on a wild-pitch by Dave Stieb, then to third on a passed ball by Darrell Porter, and came home on another Stieb wild pitch.
Rosters Players in italics have since been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
American League Elected StartersPositionPlayerTeamAll-Star GamesCCarlton FiskRed Sox71BRod CarewAngels142BPaul MolitorBrewers13BGeorge BrettRoyals5SSBucky DentYankees2OFReggie JacksonYankees10OFFred LynnRed Sox6OFJim RiceRed Sox4
PitchersPositionPlayerTeamAll-Star GamesSPSteve StoneOrioles1PTom BurgmeierRed Sox1PEd FarmerWhite Sox1PRich GossageYankees5PLarry GuraRoyals1PRick HoneycuttMariners1PTommy JohnYankees4PDave StiebBlue Jays1
ReservesPositionPlayerTeamAll-Star GamesCLance ParrishTigers1CDarrell PorterRoyals41BCecil CooperBrewers22BBobby GrichAngels52BWillie RandolphYankees33BBuddy BellRangers23BGraig NettlesYankees5SSAlan TrammellTigers1SSRobin YountBrewers1OFAl BumbryOrioles1OFRickey HendersonAthletics1OFKen LandreauxTwins1OFAl OliverRangers4OFJorge OrtaIndians2OFBen OglivieBrewers1
National League Elected StartersPositionPlayerTeamAll-Star GamesCJohnny BenchReds131BSteve GarveyDodgers72BDavey LopesDodgers33BMike SchmidtPhillies5SSBill RussellDodgers3OFDave KingmanCubs3OFDave ParkerPirates3OFReggie SmithDodgers7
PitchersPositionPlayerTeamAll-Star GamesSPJ. R. RichardAstros1PJim BibbyPirates1PVida BlueGiants4PSteve CarltonPhillies8PJerry ReussDodgers2PBruce SutterCubs4PKent TekulvePirates1PBob WelchDodgers1PEd WhitsonGiants1
ReservesPositionPlayerTeamAll-Star GamesCGary CarterExpos3CJohn StearnsMets31BKeith HernandezCardinals21BPete RosePhillies142BPhil GarnerPirates23BRay KnightReds13BKen ReitzCardinals1SSDave ConcepciónReds7OFJosé CruzAstros1OFKen GriffeyReds3OFGeorge HendrickCardinals3OFDale MurphyBraves1OFDave WinfieldPadres4
Game Umpires Position Umpire Home Plate John Kibler (NL) First Base Larry Barnett (AL) Second Base Nick Colosi (NL) Third Base Jim McKean (AL) Left Field Jerry Dale (NL) Right Field Rich Garcia (AL)
Starting lineups
Game summary
References
External links Baseball Almanac Baseball-Reference.com