20 Year All Star Anniversary: Williams, Pedro and 1999

Seeing as the All Star Game will quickly be upon us, it is only appropriate to go back and look into the past, as the game has had some truly historic moments. We are coming up on the 20th anniversary of the legendary 1999 All Star Game.

The 1999 game brought the reveal of the nominees of the All Century Team, and its resulting controversy. The All Century Team would eventually be revealed during the World Series, with obvious selections such as Rogers Hornsby, and...confusing ones (like Mark McGwire). Anyways, back to the game.

The game was being held in Fenway Park because it was due to be replaced in a couple years. Thankfully, that nightmare did not ensue, but the historic park was still a beautiful place for the game. In brilliant fashion, Ted Williams made an appearance, one of the final public ones of his lifetime. Driven out to the mound in a golf cart, Williams tipped his hat to the crowd (which he never did as a player). Players crowded around Williams, desperate for a glimpse of the greatest pure hitter of all time. With stars such as Vlad Guerrero, Larry Walker, Mike Piazza, Ken Griffey Jr., Jeff Bagwell, McGwire, Tony Gwynn, Jim Thome, Roberto Alomar, Cal Ripken, and Barry Larkin among many others, Fenway was packed to the brim with talent.

After Ted Williams threw out the first pitch with Gwynn by his side, Pedro Martinez took the mound with Ivan Rodriguez behind the plate to begin the top of the first. He first struck out 9-time Silver Slugger Barry Larkin, then retired 3-time Batting Champ Larry Walker looking and finishing the inning striking out 600 Home Run Club member Sammy Sosa. The American League plated Kenny Lofton and Manny Ramirez in the first against Curt Schilling.

In the second inning,  Pedro quickly dispatched 4-time Home Run Leader Mark McGwire with a strikeout. After an Alomar error allowed Matt Williams to reach, Pedro faced Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, who was posting a .304/.454/.591 line that year. Bagwell struck out, and Ivan Rodriguez threw out Matt Williams, attempting to steal.

Schilling settled down, but the damage was done. David Cone took the next 2 innings for the AL, giving up a run. Following a Randy Johnson appearance, Kent Bottenfield gave up 2 runs in his inning, and the score was 4-1. The American League's pitchers - including Mike Mussina, Jose Rosado, and Jeff Zimmerman - all racked up holds before closer John Wetteland got the save. The National League could not produce any offense, and lost the game 4-1. Pedro's legendary performance earned him All Star MVP honors, putting another award onto his mantle. The closest the NL got to that level of dominance was a combination of Trevor Hoffman and Billy Wagner striking out Ron Coomer, Tony Fernandez and John Jaha in the 9th, nothing compared to Pedro.

May your pennants fly forever.

-Prentiss