On June 7, 1983, 40 years in the past, Fred Lynn of the then California Angels completed a primary within the MLB All-Star Recreation, which no participant has duplicated.
In entrance of a packed Comiskey Park in Chicago for the 54th All-Star Recreation, Lynn smashed the primary and solely grand slam so far within the Midsummer Basic, lifting the American League to an inconceivable victory over the vaunted Nationwide League.
With the AL nursing a one-run lead early, Lynn’s lengthy ball with the bases juiced led to a seven-run third inning, catapulting the junior circuit to a 13-3 win. Lynn’s grand salami was his solely hit of the sport, but it surely was an enormous one, serving to him seize the MVP Award.
The second was additionally vital for the AL, and Lynn knew it, elevating his fist within the air as he rounded first. For the AL, it was their first victory in 11 years over the NL and solely the second since 1962.
“It had extra to do with figuring out that we have been lastly going to win certainly one of this stuff,” Lynn stated through Brian Wright of SABR. “We had them on the ropes just a few instances earlier than and we have been lengthy bored with listening to how the Nationwide League had the higher hand. It was good that we did not have to listen to it once more that yr.”
Fittingly, the ’83 All-Star Recreation can be the ninth and ultimate of Lynn’s prestigious profession. Lynn, greatest identified for his time with the Boston Crimson Sox, would play seven extra seasons for the Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres earlier than hanging up his cleats for good following the 1990 marketing campaign. After 17 seasons, Lynn amassed 306 dwelling runs and 1,111 RBI, profitable 4 Gold Gloves in centerfield whereas incomes an AL batting title (1979) and MVP honors (1975).
