The Midsummer Classic.  Where the Best of the Best in the World get to show off their skills in an exhibition at the highest level of baseball.  Getting the nod as the starting pitcher of the All Star game is quite the honor.  In the customary 2 innings of work nowadays, you are guaranteed to face a handful of future Hall of Famers.  In short appearances from a number of elite MLB pitchers in the game, the pitching enthusiast can focus more on head to head matchups.  Don’t worry, the bullpen is very deep on this day.  Starters can air it out and show off their stuff in only having to get 3-6 outs.  With today being the 88th All Star Game in Miami, here are the Top 5 MLB All Star Game Pitching Performances.    

 

5. 1986 – Houston
Astrodome

This is a head to head pitching match up of Roger Clemens vs Dwight Gooden.  Gooden was the reigning NL Cy Young winner.  Clemens, who earlier in the season had his first 20 strikeout game, eventually became the AL Cy Young and MVP winner.  The 2 pitchers would meet up again in the memorable, 7 Game World Series later this season.  Clemens went 3 perfect innings, striking out 2, winning the ASG MVP.  Despite Gooden giving up a 2 run HR to Tiger’s Lou Whitaker, Doc struck out 2, as future Hall of Famers went 2-8 of of him.  Fernando Valenzuela of the Dodgers followed Gooden, as he struck out 5 in the next 2 innings.  More on this NL tandem next at #4.
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4. 1984 – San Francisco
Candlestick Park

Charlie Lea of the Expos started the game for the National League as he was the winning pitcher.  Valenzuela pitched a scoreless 3rd inning and in the 4th, he struck out the side facing Hall of Famers, Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson, and George Brett. Gooden, the youngest player to ever appear in an All Star Game at the time, followed suit the next inning, striking out the side as well.  The National League won 3-1.
Boxscore

 

3. 1968 – Houston Astrodome

In the Year of the Pitcher, when Denny McClain of the Tigers won 30 games, and Bob Gibson posted a minuscule 1.12 ERA in over 300 IP, what else would you expect?  This was the heyday of the National League dominating the Mid Summer Classic going 25-3-1 from 1960-85. (2 All Star Games were played some years). The Senior Circuit hurlers beat the American League 1-0. The only run in the game came via an unearned run that scored Willie Mays on a double play in the 1st inning.  Hall of Fame Pitchers Don Drysdale, Juan Marichal, Steve Carlton, and Tom Seaver lead the way as the National League struck out 11.  The American League pitchers struck out 9.
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2. 1934 – New York
Polo Grounds

The Lefty Screwball Master, Carl Hubbell of the New York Giants was in midst of his 5 straight 20 Win seasons. After allowing a leadoff single and a walk, Hubbell went on to strike out in order, Babe Ruth,  Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx to end the 1st inning.  Then in the Top of the 2nd, he added Hall of Famers Al Simmons and Joe Cronin to the list.  Hubbel tallied 6 punch outs over 3 IP in front of his home Polo Grounds crowd.  Even though, the National League lost 9-7.  Hubbell won 253 games in his 16 year career and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947.
Boxscore

1. 1999 – Boston
Fenway Park

Much like Hubbell in #2, Pedro Martinez was in the middle of his 3 Cy Young in 4 years campaign.  Starting the All Star Game in his home Fenway Park, Pedro began the game by striking out Barry Larkin (HOF), Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa in the 1st inning.  To begin the 2nd Mark McGwire became the 4th consecutive victim.  Matt Williams then reached on a error, as Pedro ended the inning with Strike em out, Throw em out Double Play, as Jeff Bagwell (HOF) swung through a change up.  Electric is not a big enough of a word to describe the atmosphere created by Pedro in this Dominant All Star Game Pitching Performance.  Needless to say that Pedro was the MVP as the American League won 4-1.
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List of MLB All Star Game Record Holders

 

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MLB All star Game Pitching Performances

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MLB All star Game Pitching Performances