1985 MLB All Star Game

1985 All Star Game 

      The 52nd edition of Major League Baseball's All-Star game was held at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, home of the American League's Minnesota Twins. This was the second time the Midsummer Classic was held in Minnesota, as the 1965 All-Star Game was held at Metropolitan Stadium. Managers for the game were Detroit's Sparky Anderson (American League) and San Diego's Dick Williams (National League). A crowd of 54,960 packed the Metrodome. The game was broadcast "coast to coast" on NBC. 

     The defending World Champions, the Detroit Tigers, had the most All-Stars again, featuring six players on the roster. While catcher Lance Parrish did not play, the Tigers were represented by Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Willie Hernandez and Dan Petry. The Padres had the most starters with four: Tony Gwynn, Terry Kennedy (replacing New York's Gary Carter), Graig Nettles and LaMarr Hoyt. 

     The honorary captains for the game were 1965 All-Stars who also participated in the 1965 World Series. Representing the American League was Hall of Fame Twins outfielder Harmon Killebrew, who slugged 573 home runs over 21 years. Representing the National League was one of the all-time great pitchers, Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Koufax compiled a 165-87 record in his career, while winning three Cy Young awards, two World Series MVPs (1963 and 1965) and 3 Triple Crown Awards before elbow trouble ended his career prematurely.

     Hoyt and Morris were the starters for the Midsummer Classic. Hoyt, acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the offseason, earned the win, 6-1, and took home the Most Valuable Player Award. 

     Another program I found at Thumb Industries Thrift Store in Bad Axe. This one is in even better shape than the 1984 program. It is also 92 pages long and includes pictures and ads in both color and black-and-white. Articles include "A Tale of Twin Cities", "Pete Rose: The Unblushing Flower", "Baseball Goes to the Movies" and "All-Star Thrills". Again, the write-in candidates and All-Star Nominees have small color photos.

     Advertisements include Camel Lights (with Surgeon General's warning), Miller Lite (featuring Billy Martin, WCCO 830 AM, Target, and NBC Sports.