Richard Rothschild looks at franchises that have gone the longest without being an All-Star host:
1) New York Mets
July 7, 1964
Shea Stadium was 3 months old when the NL won a 7-4 thriller on former White Sox Johnny Callison’s three-run homer in the ninth inning. Neither the Mets nor MLB have shown much interest in returning the game to what has become one of baseball’s least attractive stadiums. The Houston Astros, who joined the NL the same year as New York, have been All-Star hosts twice with a third game scheduled for 2004.
2) St. Louis Cardinals
July 12, 1966
In Busch Stadium’s first season, temperatures as high as 106 fried fans and players. NL won 2-1 in 10 innings when Maury Wills singled home Cards favorite Tim McCarver. After this sauna, MLB scheduled future All-Star Games at night.
3) Detroit Tigers
July 13, 1971
AL ended an eight-game losing streak at Tiger Stadium behind home runs from Frank Robinson and Harmon Killebrew, plus a blast off a light tower from Reggie Jackson. Perhaps new Comerica Park will get the game soon.
4) K.C. Royals
July 24, 1973
Behind a double and home run from All-Star MVP Bobby Bonds, the NL won easily 7-1. A message on the scoreboard from President Richard Nixon, who was beginning to become undone by the Watergate scandal, was booed lustily by fans.
5) New York Yankees
July 19, 1977
In second season of refurbished Yankee Stadium, NL wins its sixth straight on homers by Joe Morgan, Greg Luzinski and Steve Garvey. Yankees are the last team to win a World Series in the same season it was All-Star host.
6) Never have been a host
The Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Marlins originally were awarded the 2000 All-Star Game, but MLB switched the game to Atlanta’s Turner Field.
