1987 ALL-STAR GAME
The 1987 Mid-West Winter League All-Star Game was played in sunny Stockton California on November 15th, 1987. The American League starter was from the Chicago Demolition – “Rocket” Roger Clemens (28-5 3.04) matched up against former Chicago teammate and now Long Beach Titan Frank Viola (20-8 1.81). Both managers from the 1987 World Series teams – John “Stray” Corrado from the American League Champion Chicago Demolition vs. Bill Schindel representing the National League’s Manhattan Gas Hornets.
The game was off to a quick 1-0 lead for the National League as Don Mattingly quickly homered in the top of the 1st inning off Clemens.
The American League quickly tied it in the bottom of the 1st, when Paul Molitor scored Alan Trammell on a 2-out single to left. Pedro Guerrero got the ball in quickly and cut down Dale Murphy as he tried to go first to third to end the inning and leave the score knotted at 1 each after 1 inning of play.
In the top of the second with Juan Samuel on second base (Double), Cal Ripken lines a single to the gap in left, that Strawberry fields and throws home, but it was to late as Samuel scored the go ahead run making it 2-1 National League.
It was back and forth through the end of 2 as the American League tied it at 2 apiece. With Darryl Strawberry at third and two out Kevin Seitzer the American League Rookie of the year at the plate. Seitzer grounds weakly to National League Shortstop Cal Ripken, who charges it – bare-hands it … throws to first … and Seitzer’s safe! … Seizter beats the ball to first & Strawberry scores the tying run.
The bullpens took over from there and each team was held scoreless heading into the bottom of the sixth. With East Side’s Alan Trammell on 2nd, and Cedar Park Will Clark on 1st, one out and Detroit’s Lou Whitaker striding to the plate. Whitaker grounds one in the hole past Ripken and on into left field. Ivan Calderon comes up throwing, but the play at the plate is Trammell in just ahead of the throw. The American League takes the lead at 3-2.
The bullpens again did the job for both teams the rest of the way. Dave Smith was the 1987 MWWL All-Star Game MVP who came in unconventionally & not in the closers role, pitched 1.2 innings & picked up the win along the way. Nolan Ryan despite some trouble in the bottom of the 9th closed the game out picked up his 1st career save, despite pitching 18 years in the Mid-West Winter League.
