1975 ALL-STAR GAME

1975 ALL - STAR  GAME MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
MIKE SCHMIDT - KANSAS CITY PINE TARS

         The 1975 MWWL All-Star Game was a hitters haven in the 1st two innings, and then became a pitchers duel, with the American League and National League bullpens coming in and just shutting down the best hitters in the game.  Andy Messersmith started for the National League squad gave up a leadoff walk to Joe Morgan, followed by a walk to Ken Singleton.  Rumor has it that Messersmith then plunked Dave Parker on purpose (No one has a clue why) but Parker who was in pain, ambled down to 1st base to fill the sacks.   Mike Schmidt then jumped on the 1st pitch from Messersmith, a dead-red get-me-over fastball that Schmidt hammered down the line in leftfield.  As the ball rattled around in the corner, all three American League base runners scored giving the American League a 3-0 lead without a batter being retired.  Willie Stargell shot a grounder by the diving Lenny Randle for a 4-0 lead.  That was all for Messersmith, as Catfish Hunter got the call from the pen.  Hunter faced three batters and retired them all in the bottom of the 1st.
    In the top of the second, staked to a 4-0 lead Jim Palmer gave up a leadoff single to Joe Morgan.  After a deep fly ball that Rick Monday hauled in at the fence, Palmer walked Johnny Bench.  Rod Carew on the next pitch daringly took off for third and his hand got in for a steal.   With runners on the corner, Reggie Smith found an offering he liked from Palmer, and deposited into the right center field stands for a 3 run blast.   Palmer was pulled in place of Frank Tanana.   Just like that it was a ball game.   Unfortunately for the 45,324 fans in attendance that was all the scoring that the game had to offer.  After Catfish the National League trotted out 5 relievers who did their jobs and held the American League in check.   Not to be outdone the American League ran out 8 relievers after Tanana, and they also did the job.   Sparky Lyle pitched the last two-thirds of the 9th to pick up his 3rd All-Star save of his career.  Mike Schmidt received the  Most Valuable Player Award for his 3-Run Triple in the bottom of the 1st. Schmidt also played stellar defense on the opposite side of the ball, with 3 put-outs.