MLB All Star Tournament, Rnd 1, AL1 v NL2 Game 3

AL Star I at NL All Star II

AL leads 2 games to 0

George Brett hit a grand slam in lead the AL in game one; Jimmie Foxx reached base five times and the AL takes both games at home.

We head to Wrigley for Games 3-5.  RH Ed Walsh pitching for the AL, the lefty Clayton Kershaw going for the NL.  

AL Lineup

LF Henderson

2B Lajoie

1B Foxx

CF DiMaggio

RF Cobb

3B Rodriguez

SS Boudreau

C Mauer

RHP 1908 Ed Walsh

NL Lineup

CF Raines

3B Jones

1B McCovey

RF Ott

LF Gwynn

SS Yount

C Posey

2B Utley

LHP 2013 Clayton Kershaw

We've now seen all the position players on both sides, here, the AL right handed hitting lineup that won game 2 goes again, same players, a little shuffling in the order - while the NL lefty hitting game one lineup comes back, again, a little shuffling, as the AL is throwing a RH.  New park - Wrigley Field for the next 3 games.  

Top 1

Clayton Kershaw is 25, he won his second Cy Young this season, 16-9, 1.83, had a 194 ERA+.  

Once again 1990 Rickey Henderson is leading off, in game 2 Henderson went 1-5 with a double and an RBI and a run scored.  Kershaw strikes him out.  

1910 Nap Lajoie is next, big game 2 for the second baseman, 3-5 with 2 doubles an RBI and a run scored.  Lajoie singles to center.

1932 Jimmie Foxx moves up a spot in the order today, he reached base all 5 times in game 2, 3-3 with two walks, 2 doubles, an RBI and a run scored.  Foxx singles to center, Lajoie goes to third and with just one out there's men on the corners.

1941 Joe DiMaggio comes to the plate, 1 out, runners on the corners, in game 1 he was 3-5, with both a triple and a double, 2 RBI and a run scored.  Kershaw gets him to hit into an easy 6-4-3 and the threat ends.

Bottom 1

27 year old Ed Walsh on the mound for the AL.  Walsh won 40 games this year, going 40-15 with a 1.42 ERA.  Walsh added six saves which led MLB.  

Leading off for the NL is the Rock, 1985 Tim Raines, back in game 1 Raines was 2-3, with a walk, a double and an RBI.  Raines hits a scorcher - right at Lajoie for the first out.

2008 Chipper Jones hits second today, Chipper was 1-3 with a walk in game one.  He bleeds one in the hole between first and second for a base hit.  

1969 Willie McCovey was 1-4 in game 1 with a double and a run scored and walked as a pinch hitter in game 2, Stretch rips a liner to first, Foxx makes a hell of a play, stabbing the ball, stepping on first for one - and then throwing to Boudreau at the bag at second, he applies the tag on Jones and the inning is over.  

Top 2

1917 Ty Cobb was 1-5 in game 2 with an RBI and a stolen base, he weakly grounds to first, McCovey takes it to the bag.

2007 Alex Rodriguez was 0-4 with an HBP in game 2, Kershaw blows him away - 3 straight fastballs for the K.

1948 Lou Boudreau comes to the plate with 2 out, he was 0-3 with a walk in game 2 - he singles to left here to extend the inning.

2009 Joe Mauer was 1-3 with a walk and a run scored, he grounds to second - flip to short for the forceout that ends the frame.

Bottom 2

1932 Mel Ott leads off for the NL, he was 0-4 in game 1 -- but he ropes a liner to right here and Ott is at first base with a single.

1987 Tony Gwynn was 1-4 in game 1, he surprises here by dropping a bunt - but Joe Mauer pounces - takes a shot at Ott --- and just does get him at second.  Gwynn aboard at first on a force.  Super athletic play by Mauer.  

Gwynn steals second.  NL has a man in scoring position.  1982 Robin Yount was 2-4 in game 1, he grounds to Foxx, tosses to Walsh for the second out as Gwynn now stands at third.

2012 Buster Posey was 2-4 in game 1 -- and he plates the game's first run, lining a ball hard to left, Gwynn trots home and it is 1-0.  The 25 year old Posey won the NL MVP this year, leading all MLB with a 171 OPS+, which will be the high mark of his career.  

2008 Chase Utley was 0-3 with a walk in game 1, he flies to right and the inning is over.

Top 3

Walsh leads off for the AL, shallow fly out to left.

Henderson struck out in the first - here, he rips a base hit to left.  On the next pitch, he's gone and swipes second.  

Lajoie singled in the first - he grounds to third, onto first and there are 2 away, Henderson unable to advance.

The NL still has not gotten Jimmie Foxx out, 5 times he reached in game 2 and he singled in the first - LaRussa showing him an unbelievable amount of respect here, he orders the intentional walk in the third inning with a 1 run lead and Joe DiMaggio on deck.  Wow.  Wow.  Wow.

DiMaggio hit into a double play in the first -- but here he makes the NL play, singling to center, Henderson motors home from second and the score is tied 1-1.  DiMaggio broke in back in '36, he hit .323 as the 21 year old center fielder for the Yankees, in his second season, a 22 year old DiMaggio led all MLB in slugging and finished second in the AL MVP. He had a 6th place finish in '38, hit .381 in winning the MVP in '39, finished third in the MVP in 1940 and this is 1941 DiMaggio.

Cobb ground out in the second and does it again here.

Bottom 3

Kershaw's first at bat in the tournament is three fastballs he swings through.

Raines lined out in the first, he hits a sinking liner to center that clanks off of DiMaggio's glove, Raines never stops running and slides into second with a 2 base error.

Jones singled in the first, he grounds out to second now.

A McCovey double play ended the first, and a foul pop to third ends the third.  

Top 4

ARod struck out in the 2nd and does not have a hit yet - Kershaw strikes him out again here.

Boudreau singled back in the second and flies out to left now.

Mauer ground out in the second - here, HE HOMERS TO RIGHT CENTER!  Joe Mauer hits a two out home run and the AL moves out in front.  A 26 year old Mauer won the AL MVP this season, his 171 OPS+ would be the highest of his career.  2-1.

That's gotta be frustrating for Kershaw, giving up a homer with the pitcher on deck - and he fires three fastballs past Walsh to end the inning.

Bottom 4

Ott singled back in the second - he does it again now, slamming a ball to right.

Gwynn was safe on a force play in the second and then stole a base, he lines hard to first and Ott has to scramble to get back.

Yount's 0-1, and now he's 0-2 when Walsh wipes him away on 3 fastballs.

Posey singled home the game's first run - but here he grounds to short and we go to the 5th.

Top 5

Top of the order for the AL.  Henderson's 1-2 and he walks here.  Thats the danger zone, Rickey already has a stolen base today. 

Lajoie is also 1-2, he hits a soft single to center - Rickey is off and running, all the way to third and the AL has men on the corners with nobody out.

Man - Rickey is really dancing off third base - really dancing off third -- Posey attempts to pick him off - Rickey dives back safely - ARod fires to first - and they get Lajoie!  Lajoie is napping a little bit at first and ARod picks him off.  

The NL has yet to get Foxx yet, this time LaRussa doesn't order the intentional walk, despite the open base - and Foxx hits a bomb - Deep - Deep Left Field - Gwynn makes the play at the base of the wall, easy tag up here and Henderson scores on the sac fly.  3-1.  Foxx went 6-9 as a 17 year old catcher for the Athletics in 1925, he hit over .300 in part time duty the next two seasons.  Foxx hit .328 as a 20 year old third baseman in 1928, moved to first in '29 and led the AL in OBP, hit .335 in 1930, the first season of his career where he hit less than .300 was last season and this year, Foxx won the AL MVP, leading all MLB in homers, RBI, slugging, OPS, OPS+ and total bases.  

DiMaggio's 1-2, he grounds to first and the inning is over.

To the fifth we go - AL, already up 2 games to 0 leads 3-1 here.

Bottom 5

Utley's 0-1, he grounds to second.

Kershaw follows by doing the same.

Raines is 0-2, having reached by error and he works a walk.  

Chipper's 1-2, he singles to right - the NL has men on the corners with 2 away and McCovey coming to the plate.

McCovey's 0-2, he walks here - and the NL has loaded the bases for Mel Ott, who is 2-2 today.

Long at bat, Ott fouling off pitch after pitch - but it ends with a ground out to second - Lajoie flips to Boudreau and the frame ends.

Top 6

Cobb's 0-2, he grounds to third.

Kershaw strikes out ARod for the third time today, given that Brett was one of the stalwarts in game one, this feels like perhaps a change is in the offing for the AL going forward.

Boudreau's 1-2, he grounds to third and the AL is down in order.

Bottom 6

Gwynn is 0-2, he flies to right.

Yount similarly is now 0-3 when he flies to right.

Posey's 1-2 with an RBI, and he doubles off the ivy in left to give the NL a runner in scoring position with two out in a game they really must win and currently trail 3-1.

But Utley pops out, he is 0-3 and we head to the 7th.

Top 7

Mauer homered back in the 4th, Kershaw strikes him out here.  

Walsh flies to left.

Rickey grounds to short - Kershaw rolling now, can the NL find some runs?

Bottom 7

Kershaw hits for himself, although he shouldn't, and he grounds weakly to first.

Raines flies to left.

Chipper grounds to second - it's starting to get late for the National League.

Top 8

Lajoie opens the 8th with a double to right center, it's his third hit of the day, the NL just can't afford to give up another run here.

Kershaw gets Foxx - he was batting 1.000 until right now and he grounds to third.

And then DiMaggio grounds to third.

And then so does Cobb -- just a huge effort right there for Kershaw to keep the NL in this series.  

Bottom 8

Ed Walsh is 6 outs away from the AL taking what would appear to be an insurmountable 3-0 series lead.

McCovey strikes out.

Ott flies to right.

Gwynn's foul tip is caught by Mauer - Walsh is rolling, the AL is rolling.

Top 9

ARod's hitless in the series - until now, a leadoff double down the right field line to open the 9th, AL looking for one more run.

Boudreau grounds to the right side, flip to first, ARod goes to third.

Joe Mauer adds to his homer with a triple -- Mauer drives a ball to center that kicks away from Raines -- a huge game for Mauer, ARod scores and it is 4-1.  Mauer came up in '06 when he was 24, in his third year he led MLB in batting average, last year he finished 4th in the AL MVP and, as mentioned, it's 2009 for Mauer, he's 26 and the AL MVP.

Walsh flies to left.

Henderson lines to second and Walsh now has a 3 run lead as we go to the bottom of the 9th.

Bottom 9

Yount opens with a single to center. NL needs baserunners.

Posey works a walk - he's been on base 3 times today, and with nobody out the tying run comes to the plate for the NL (yes, there should be a pitching change, yes).

And Utley walks.  

Well - here we are, the bases are loaded - there's nobody out, NL down 4-1 in a near must win spot.  

Pitchers spot to the plate - it's Sosa.  Sammy Sosa, at Wrigley Field, is coming to the plate.

Sosa grounds to third -- onto second -- over to first....Sosa beats it out, the run scores, 4-2 and the NL has men on the corners, top of the order coming to the plate, still just one out.  It's 2001 Sammy Sosa, he's 32, he hit 64, count them, 64 home runs this season and finished 2nd in the NL MVP.  

Sosa exits - a future Cub, Andre Dawson, comes in as a pinch runner.  

And finally McCarthy goes to the pen.....here comes Mariano Rivera.  

It's 2008 Rivera, he's a 38 year old right hander, the oldest man in the tournament. It's Rivera's 14 year in the big leagues.  Rivera was 6-5, 1.40 ERA, 60 saves, what would be a career best 316 ERA+.  

Raines to the plate - he hits a high, high pop up on the infield -- ARod has it.  2 away.  

Chipper is the last hope for the NL, two on, two out, 4-2.  

Easy ground ball to first -- Foxx will take it to the bag -- and it is done.

American League I 4 National League II 2

Joe Mauer homers and triples and the American League is a win away from sweeping the opening series of the tournament.

Henderson: 1-4, walk, 2 runs scored, SB (2-9, walk, double, RBI, 3 runs scored, SB)

Lajoie: 3-4, double (6-9, 3 doubles, RBI, RS)

Foxx: 1-2, walk, RBI (4-5, 3 walks, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, RS)

DiMaggio 1-4, RBI (4-9, triple/double, 3 RBI, RS)

Cobb: 0-4 (1-9, RBI, stolen base)

ARod: 1-4, double, RS (1-8, HBP, double, RS)

Boudreau: 1-4 (1-7, walk)

Mauer: 2-4, HR, triple, 2RBI, RS (3-7, walk, HR, triple, 2RBI, 2RS)

WP Walsh 8.1 IP 2 ER, 7 hits, 3 Ks/4 BB

Sv: Rivera .2 IP 

Raines 0-4 (2-7, walk, double, RBI

Jones 2-5 (3-8, walk)

McCovey 0-3, walk (1-4, 2 walks, double, RS)

Ott 2-4 (2-8)

Gwynn 0-4, RS, SB (1-8, RS, SB)

Yount 1-4 RS (3-8, RS)

Posey 2-3, walk, double, RBI (4-7, walk, double RBI)

Utley 0-3, walk (0-6, 2 walks)

Sosa 0-1, RBI (0-6, RBI)

LP Kershaw 9 IP, 4 ER, 10 H, 6 Ks/2BB 

AL was the favorite at the outset of the tournament and that has not changed - they go up 3 games to 0

MLB All Star Tournament, Rnd 1, AL1 v. NL2 Game 2

  

NL All Star 2 at AL All Star 1

 AL Leads 1 Game to 0

 Second game of the tournament, Yankee Stadium, in Game 1, a George Brett grand slam paced the home team to the 10-1 win.  

NL Lineup

2B 1951 Jackie Robinson

LF 2001 Sammy Sosa

1B 2015 Paul Goldschmidt

RF 1967 Roberto Clemente

SS 1959 Ernie Banks

3B 1967 Ron Santo

CF 1981 Andre Dawson

C 1982 Gary Carter

LHP 1933 Carl Hubbell

AL Lineup

LF 1990 Rickey Henderson

2B 1910 Nap Lajoie

CF 1941 Joe DiMaggio

1B 1932 Jimmie Foxx

3B 2007 Alex Rodriguez

RF 1917 Ty Cobb

SS 1948 Lou Boudreau

C 2009 Joe Mauer

LHP 1945 Hal Newhouser

Top 1

Hal Newhouser takes the hill in Game 2 for the AL, Newhouser's 24, he won his second consecutive MVP this year, going 25-9 with a 1.81 ERA. 

Both starting pitchers are lefties for game 2 and the lineups turn over entirely - leading off the NL is a 32 year old Jackie Robinson - Robinson grounds to short - but ARod kicks it and Robinson's aboard on the first error of the tournament.  

Sammy Sosa is also 32, he grounds to the right side, Nap Lajoie throws him out at first and Robinson is at second with one away.

Robinson then steals third - Robinson stole 25 bags this year and now stands at third during Paul Goldschmidt's plate appearance - Goldschmidt walks and the NL has men on the corners.  

Roberto Clemente comes to the plate, he's also 32 -- and he punches a single to left, Robinson trots home, and the NL has men on first and second.  1-0.  Clemente was third in the NL MVP vote this year, he hit .357, which led all MLB, and his 171 OPS+ will be his career high.  

Back to back Cubs now - 28 year old Ernie Banks and 27 year old Ron Santo.  Newhouser gets them both, Banks with the infield pop up thats taken by Lajoie - and then Santo with the routine grounder to Lajoie and the inning ends with no further damage.

Bottom 1

30 year old lefty Carl Hubbell gets the ball in game 2 for the NL.  He's met by a 31 year old Rickey Henderson -- and he gets him to ground to second.

The oldest position player on the AL squad is 35 year old Napoleon Lajoie - he flies out to Clemente in right.

Joe DiMaggio is 26 years old and he takes over in center where Mickey Mantle patrolled in game one, the Clipper drives a single to left.  

24 year old Jimmie Foxx is at first today for the AL - and he follows with a single that goes just past the diving Robinson into right center - DiMaggio takes the extra base and the AL has men on the corners with 2 out.

Alex Rodriguez is 31, he's the AL third baseman today - and Hubbell drills him in the back - the AL has the bases loaded.

Ty Cobb to the plate, he's 30 years old - big spot early on, and he smokes a line drive -- that is right at Banks and the inning is over.  

Top 2

Back to Back Cubs in the NL lineup are followed by back to back Expos, 26 year old Andre Dawson and 28 year old Gary Carter.  Dawson draws a walk and is then immediately erased when Hubbell gets the 6-4-3 double play.

Hubbell's at the plate, easy fly out to left and Newhouser's back in the dugout.

Bottom 2

30 year old Lou Boudreau is at short today for the AL, he hits a knuckling liner that Santo makes a terrific diving catch for the first out.

Joe Mauer is 26 and he's catching today - he laces a base hit through the box.  

Newhouser's up to sacrifice, he does - to the third base side of the mount, Hubbell doesn't think he has a play at second, so throws to first, two outs and Mauer is in scoring position.

Rickey Henderson's 0-1 -- and he ties the score by ripping a drive into the left field corner - Mauer easily scores and Henderson has a game tying double.  1-1.  Henderson was AL MVP this year, leading all MLB in OBP, OPS and OPS+.  

Lajoie is 0-1...and singles to left - Henderson running with the pitch - Henderson will beat the throw and the AL takes the lead.  2-1.  The 35 year old Lajoie hit .383 this year, leading all of MLB.  

DiMaggio singled back in the first - he flies to left here and the inning ends.  

Top 3

Top of the order for the NL - Robinson's 0-1, safe on an error in the first - he beats out an infield single.

Sosa's 0-1, Newhouser strikes him out swinging.  

Goldschmidt walked in the first - he rocks a double to right center - it rolls to the wall - Jackie will score all the way from first base and the NL has tied this game up  2-2.  Goldschmidt's 27, in his fifth big league season, he finished second in the NL MVP race.  

Clemente singled home the game's first run - he grounds to short and then Newhouser strikes out Banks to end the inning.  

Bottom 3

Foxx singled in the first and he leads off the third with a ground ruled double to left.  

ARod got hit by the pitch in his first plate appearance, easy groundout to short here and Foxx stays at second.

Ty Cobb's 0-1, he punches a base hit over short, Foxx beats the throw home, Cobb moves up a base and the AL has taken a 3-2 lead.  30 year old Cobb led MLB in doubles, triples, hits, batting average, OBP, SLG, OPS, and OPS+ this season.  Cobb will then steal third, taking another base.

Boudreau's 0-1, he hits a shallow fly to left, Cobb doesn't attempt to advance.  2 down.  Mauer's 1-1 and with the pitchers spot next, Hubbell puts him on intentionally.  

Men on the corners - Newhouser hits the shallow fly ball, Gwynn snags and the inning ends.

Top 4

Santo's 0-1, but he singles to open the frame.  Dawson walked in his first appearance, he works a full count and then grounds to short - the lead runner is erased, there's no play at first.  

Carter hit into a double play in his first appearance --- and does it again to end the frame, 6-4-3.  

Bottom 4

AL still up 3-2 as they bat in the 4th.  Henderson lines hard to Santo and is now 1-3.

Lajoie doubles down the left field line and is now 2-3.

Hubbell gets DiMaggio to ground to the right side, he's 1-3 and Lajoie is on third with 2 away.

Jimmie Foxx is 2-2 and LaRussa takes the bat out of his hands.  That will bring up ARod, 0-1 with a HBP.  2 outs, men on the corners.  

ARod grounds to short - the strategy works for the National League and we head to the 5th.

Top 5

Hubbell remains in the game, he's out on a soft grounder to short.

Robinson walks, he's 1-2 and has now reached 3 times.  

The inning ends when Sosa goes 6-4-3, Sammy's 0-3.

Bottom 5

In his last at bat, Cobb drove home the go ahead run, he flies to right and is now 1-3.

Boudreau walks, its his first time on base today.

Mauer's 1-1 and has been on base both times, he strikes out looking, locked up on the Hubbell screwball.

And the inning ends on a Newhouser fly ball to center.  Let's go to the 6th, AL still up 3-2.

Top 6

Goldschmidt's got an RBI double and has reached both times, he dribbles a ground ball back to the mound.

Clemente walks, he's 1-2 and has now reached twice.

Banks singles to left, he's now 1-3, Clemente stops at second and the NL has the potential go ahead run on base with just one out.  

Santo hits a foul pop to first - he's 1-3 and now there are 2 out.

Newhouser ends the inning by getting Dawson to foul out to third, Dawson's 0-2 with a walk, and the NL does not score.

Bottom 6

Top of the order for the AL - Henderson is now 1-4 after grounding out to second.

Lajoie grounds to third and is 2-4.

DiMaggio is also 2-4 when he just drops a ball right behind the third base bag - JoeD doesn't break stride, making it all the way to second with a 2 out double.

Once again - here's Jimmie Foxx and once again - LaRussa calls for the free pass; Foxx has now reached in all 4 plate appearances and once again it's ARod with 2 away and men on base.

And again it works, Hubbell gets him to ground to 2nd, ARod is now 0-3 with a HBP and lets go to the 7th, still American League up 3-2.

Top 7

Tough game for Gary Carter, 2 double plays, leading off this inning, so no possibility of a hat trick, but he does line out to second.

(ideally, even if the simulation didn't allow for moves to be made, there would be an "aggressive" setting to indicate it's a non regular season game, as Hubbell is hitting for himself here, despite the game situation).

.....and it works out for the NL.  Hubbell squibs a ball down the third base line that looks for all the world like it's going foul....and it does not.  It's an infield single for Hubbell and the NL has the tying run aboard.

But the inning ends there when Robinson goes 3-6-3, he's now 2-4 and its the stretch.

Bottom 7

Cobb strikes out, he's 1-4.

Boudreau's 0-2 and then flies out to left.

Mauer hits a route grounder to first - Goldschmidt takes it himself, and it remains 3-2 as we go to the 8th inning.

Top 8

Here we go - 3-2 AL, they're up 1 game to 0, Sammy Sosa hits a bloop to center - and DiMaggio snags it with a tumbling dive.  

Goldschmidt flies to left.

Clemente goes down a quick 0-2, but works his second walk of the game.

Banks then singles to right - Clemente goes to third - men on the corners with 2 away for Santo.

Newhouser pitching very carefully - he walks Santo and the bases are loaded, 2 away (go to the pen, for the love of god) with the AL clinging to a run one lead.

Andre Dawson's hitless, he comes to the plate here -- and hits the easy grounder to third - ARod onto first and the inning is over.

Bottom 8

AL going to bench - for Babe Ruth.

If you're going to send up a pinch hitter in the 9th, you could do worse.  

Ruth singles to right.

Top of the order now - Hubbell strikes out Henderson.

Nap Lajoie gets his third hit - a double that bounces over the wall in right - Ruth has to hold at third and the AL has two men in scoring position.

And Joe DiMaggio plates them both - a 2 run triple to dead center - the AL opens it up 5-2. The 26 year old DiMaggio won his second AL MVP this season, his 185 OPS+ would be his career high.  

And now they decide to pitch to Foxx -- and Foxx beats them, blasting a double to the gap, DiMaggio scores and the AL is up 6-2; Jimmie Foxx reaches base 5 times.  Foxx is 24, came up at 17 - he won his first MVP this season, he hit 58 homers and had a 207 OPS+.  6-2.

That's all for the AL - ARod lines to third.  Cobb flies to center.  Lets go to the 9th.

Top 9

Finishing up for the AL - the Rocket, 34 year old RH Roger Clemens. Clemens won the Cy Young this season, it's his 4th.  21-7, 2.05. Led MLB with a 222 ERA+.

Carter flies to right.

Willie McCovey comes on to hit for Hubbell - and he walks.

Jackie Robinson singles to right.

Clemens strikes out Sosa.  One out to go.

And he gets it - Goldschmidt grounds to second and the American League takes a 2-0 lead.

American League I 6 National League II 2

13 AL hits today.

Henderson: 1-5, double, RBI, run scored

Lajoie: 3-5, 2 doubles, RBI, run scored

DiMaggio: 3-5, double/triple, 2 RBI, run scored

Foxx: 3-3, 2 walks 2 doubles, RBI, run scored

ARod: 0-4, HBP

Cobb: 1-5, RBI, stolen base

Boudreau: 0-3, walk

Mauer: 1-3, walk, run scored

Ruth: 1-1

Newhouser: WP, 8 IP, 1 ER, 7 hits 2 Ks, 6 Walks

Clemens: 1 IP, 1 K, 1 Walk

Robinson: 2-4, walk, 2 runs scored

Sosa: 0-5

Goldschmidt: 1-4, walk, double RBI

Clemente: 1-2, 2 walks, RBI

Banks: 2-4

Santo: 1-3, walk

Dawson: 0-3, walk

Carter: 0-4

Hubbell: 1-3

McCovey, walk

Hubbell, LP, 8 IP, 6 ER, 13 hits 3 Ks/4 walks. Hubbell threw 145 pitches, which is probably too much given the quality of the other pitchers on the staff and that this is a short series.  

The series shifts now to Wrigley, NL down 2-0.

MLB All Star Tournament Rnd 1, AL 1 v NL2 Gm 1

 NL All Star 2 at AL All Star 1

 First game of the tournament, Yankee Stadium, the favorites, the American League All Star team facing the National League B squad in a Best 4 of 7.  

NL Lineup

3B 2008 Chipper Jones

1B 1969 Willie McCovey

LF 1987 Tony Gwynn

RF 1932 Mel Ott

CF 1985 Tim Raines

2B 2008 Chase Utley

SS 1982 Robin Yount

C 2012 Buster Posey

RHP 1915 Grover Cleveland Alexander

AL Lineup

LF 1946 Ted Williams

RF 1923 Babe Ruth

1B 1927 Lou Gehrig

CF 1957 Mickey Mantle

3B 1980 George Brett

2B 1915 Eddie Collins

C 1937 Bill Dickey

SS 1991 Cal Ripken

RHP 1913 Walter Johnson

Top 1st 

36 year old Chipper Jones, the oldest position player on this NL squad, leads off against a 25 year old Walter Johnson, the second youngest member of the AL 9 member pitching staff.  Johnson's a 7 year big leaguer, he was the MVP in the AL this season, going 36-7 with a 1.14 ERA.  With a 12.7 WAR (my WAR metric is used throughout the tournament) Johnson had the best season of any pitcher in the tournament.  

Chipper works a walk.

Johnson then gets a 31 year old Willie McCovey on a shallow fly to right center.  1 out.

27 year old Tony Gwynn gets the first hit of the game, a sharp single to right - Chipper attempts to take the extra base -- and is Gunned Down by the AL right fielder, the 28 year old Babe Ruth.  2 out.

Johnson ends the inning, getting the youngest player on the NL roster, 23 year old Mel Ott, to ground to third.

Bottom 1st

Grover Cleveland Alexander is the NL starter, a 28 year old right hander - and he has to face a real gauntlet - Williams-Ruth-Gehrig.  Alexander's had five big league seasons, this year he was 31-10 with a 1.22 ERA. 

27 year old Ted Williams leads off with a looping single to right.

The Babe, as mentioned, is 28 - he hits a slow roller to short - 26 year old Robin Yount flips to second, that's all, it's a fielders choice that erases the lead runner.  1 out.  

Alexander then gets the 24 year old Lou Gehrig to ground to short, Yount makes the backhand play and throws to first - Ruth advances to second.  2 out.

25 year old Mickey Mantle comes to the plate - and hits a high, high infield pop up - 29 year old Chase Utley nestles under it and the inning is over.  

Top 2nd

25 year old Tim Raines hits 5th for the NL, and Johnson gives up another leadoff walk.  Raines obviously a threat to run here.  

Utley is next, its a shallow fly ball to right.  1 out.

Here comes Yount - and he slaps a single to left - Raines aggressively takes the extra base, sliding in ahead of the tag and the NL has runners on the corners with only one out.  

There's no DH, so there's a lot of pressure on the 8th place hitters in this tournament - for the NL, it's a 25 year old Buster Posey - and on a 3-2 pitch, and Johnson locks Posey up with his newly developed curve.  Two outs.

That leaves Alexander - 2 on, 2 out - and Johnson throws three fastballs right over the heart of the plate and strikes out his opposite number to end the frame.

Bottom 2nd

The AL draws back to back walks to open the 2nd, 27 year old George Brett followed by 28 year old Eddie Collins.  And with 2 on and nobody out, the AL is in business.

30 year old Bill Dickey is the 7th place hitter, he rips a line drive -- but right at Utley, Collins safely dives back to the bag to beat the throw to first.  One out.

Hitting 8th for the AL is the only right handed bat in the lineup today, Cal Ripken, the 30 year old shortstop.  Ripken hits a slow grounder to Utley - flip to Yount for 1 - to first -- Ripken just beats it out, and there are men on the corners, but as was the case in the top of the inning, it's the pitcher coming to the plate with 2 out.  

Johnson hits a routine grounder to Utley, flip to Yount and the inning is over.

Top 3rd

Top of the order in a scoreless game.  Chipper reaches base again, roping a single to right on the first pitch of the inning.  

McCovey has a long, long at bat - but it ends with a tailor made 4-6-3 and there are two away.

Gwynn singled back in the first - but here, he harmless grounds to third - Brett easily onto first and the inning is over.

Bottom 3rd

Back to the top of the order for the AL - Alexander strikes Williams out, the Splendid Splinter chasing a ball outside of the zone, irritated with himself as he walks back to the dugout.

Ruth walks.

Gehrig is now 0-2 when Alexander gets him to chase a high fastball, Pete striking out Williams and Gehrig here in the third.

Full count on Mantle, Ruth's running as the Mick singles to left - the Babe able to slide into third and the AL has runners on the corners with George Brett coming to the plate having walked in his previous appearance.  

Brett walks again and with two out, the AL has loaded the bases here in the third.  Eddie Collins, who also walked in his first time up, comes to the plate.

And Collins plates the first runs of the game - base hit to left center, Ruth will score -- Mantle will score from second and the AL goes up 2-0. Runners still on the corners with 2 away.  This Collins/Alexander matchup is a battle of exact contemporaries as the 1915 versions of both men are facing off here.  This season was Collins' first with the White Sox after 9 in Philadelphia, not with Alexander's Phils, but with the rival Athletics.  Collins led all MLB with 119 walks this season.  

Dickey's 0-1, but he draws a walk and the AL again loads the bases, there's action in the NL pen now, Ripken coming to the plate.  

Alexander gets him to ground to short - and the inning ends.  

Top 4th 

Johnson now staked to a 2-0 lead, Ott's 0-1 and now he's 0-2, route fly to center.  

Raines walked in his first appearance, here, he hits a ground ball to center and there are 2 away.

Utley's 0-1 -- and now he's 0-2, looping liner to short.  3 up.  3 down.

Bottom 4th

Sure feels like Alexander's reached the end, Walter Johnson leads off with a Texas leaguer to left. 

Williams strikes out again - his frustration noticeable.  

Ruth grounds between 1st and 2nd - nice play by McCovey, he throws to second to get Johnson and there are 2 away.

Gehrig foul ball - near the dugout -- Chipper leans over the railing to make the catch and the inning is over.

Top 5

Yount singled in his first at bat, here, he grounds to short.

Posey's 0-1, he singles to left center.  Tying run comes to the plate in what is probably a sacrifice spot given that it's Alexander (really need a pinch hitter here).  

Alexander does attempt to bunt - but Gehrig has the first real web gem of the tournament - laying out in a full dive to make the catch and there's 2 away.

Chipper's reached in both appearances - but Johnson gets him here, harmless pop up on the infield, Gehrig takes it and the inning ends.

Bottom 5

Mantle's 1-2, he harmlessly pops up, Yount back into the outfield to snag it.  

Brett's walked both times, but not here, Alexander has regained his equilibrium and gets a line out to third.

Collins drove in the only two runs of the day in his last at bat, he lines out to first here and its the first 1-2-3 for Pete.  

Top 6

McCovey's 0-2 with a double play, but he bombs a ball that bounces over the wall in right for a leadoff ground rule double, it's the first extra base hit of the tournament.

Gwynn's 1-2, he hits the ball to the right side, 4-3 putout with McCovey now standing on third.

Ott's 0-2 and now 0-3 with a shallow fly ball to right - McCovey holding at third and now there are 2 out.

Raines is 0-1 with a walk - he lines a ball into the left field corner - McCovey scores - Raines easily into second with a double and the NL has cut the lead in half. 2-1.  Raines is 25, in his 7th big league season, his 151 OPS+ would turn out to be the highest of what would be a 23 year big league career.

Utley comes to the plate, he's 0-2, 2 out, tying run in scoring position in the position of the very speedy Raines.

And Johnson walks him - Johnson pitched really carefully in that spot, it does set up the force at third, however, the potential go ahead run is now on base.  2 on, 2 out, Robin Yount is 1-2 and he comes to the plate.

Yount rips a line drive -- but it's right at George Brett.  And the inning ends - the NL cuts it in half, we go to the bottom of the 6th, 2-1 AL.

Bottom 6

Bottom of the order for the AL, Dickey's 0-1 with a walk and he grounds out to first on the first pitch.

Ripken's 0-2 and now 0-3, grounds to short.

Alexander easily sets Johnson down on 3 pitches - and suddenly, it appears the momentum has shifted, Pete's put down 9 straight American Leaguers and it's the top of the 7th.

Top 7

Posey is 1-2 - he leads off the 7th with a base hit to left, it's a 2 hit day for Posey off of Johnson - and now LaRussa does go to the bench - it's Sammy Sosa, pinch hitting for Alexander.  

Long at bat -- Johnson strikes Sosa out on the 11th pitch.  Feels like a big spot.

Chipper's 1-2 with a walk, he hits a shallow fly ball that Mantle easily snares.  2 out.

McCovey's 1-3, doubling in his last at bat - Johnson gets him with a routine grounder to short to end the inning.

Bottom 7

33 year old Max Scherzer is the new NL pitcher, also right handed. AL with only 4 hits despite their 2-1 lead.  Scherzer's the oldest pitcher on the NL staff, he finished second in the NL Cy Young race this year, going 18-7 with a 2.53 ERA.  

Top of the AL order, Williams singles again, he's now 2-4; the Babe walks again, he's 0-2 but has walked twice.  And then Gehrig gets his first hit of the day, singling to center - that's gonna plate Williams and the AL lead once again is two runs 3-1.  Gehrig was AL MVP this season, his 220 OPS+ would wind up the top mark of his career.  

Mantle walks, he's 1-3, reaching base the second time here, and with nobody out, the bases are loaded for George Brett.

AND GEORGE BRETT HITS A GRAND SLAM HOME RUN TO LEFT!!!  7-1

George Brett has reached base 3 times, two bases on balls - and now a huge home run to left field.  Brett was the AL MVP this season, he flirted with .400, finishing at .390, also leading all MLB in OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+.  

Max Scherzer has come on for the NL and just gotten blown apart by this American League squad, it's 7-1 and sure looks like it is done.   

Scherzer probably should get pulled, but LaRussa decides he's staying out there - Eddie Collins is 1-2 with a walk and a couple of RBI, he doubles over Raines's head in center.  Still nobody out.  

Dickey is hitless - but he smacks one -- deep, deep to right field - caught at the base of the wall by Ott, easy tag up for Collins.  

Ripken strikes out.  2 away.  McCarthy lets Johnson hit - easy fly out to left to end the inning.

But the AL scores 5, George Brett's grand slam being the big, big blow

Top 8

Johnson now has a 6 run lead.

Gwynn grounds to second.

Ott strikes out.

Raines singles to right, he's now reached 3 times. 

Utley flies to right.  AL 3 outs from taking game 1.

Bottom 8

Williams flies to right.

Ruth walks - thats 3 walks for the Babe.

LOU GEHRIG HITS A 2 RUN HOME RUN TO RIGHT!  Max Scherzer has just gotten blown up by the American League - Gehrig homers, tacking on 2 more and the lead has bulged to 9-1.

That's it, too late, but that's it for Scherzer, another right hander, 30 year old Jacob DeGrom comes on for the NL.  DeGrom is the NL Cy Young winner, 10-9, 1.70.

Mantle singles.

Brett singles - George Brett reaches base four times, Mantle to 3rd.  

Collins grounds to short --- Yount has no play at the plate and looks for the double play, Brett is erased by Collins beats it out - the Mick scores and now it is 10-1.

Dickey grounds out and the inning ends.

Top 9

Walter Johnson stays on, looking for the complete game.

Yount singles.

Posey grounds into the 4-6-3 and the NL is down to their final out - Paul Goldschmidt is 27, he comes on as the pinch hitter and flies to left to end the game.

American League I 10 National League II 1

Easy game 1 win for the AL:

Williams - 2-5, run scored

Ruth -       0-2, 3 walks, 3 runs scored.

Gehrig -   2-5, HR, 3RBI, 2 runs scored

Mantle -   2-4,  walk, 3 runs scored

Brett -      2-3, HR, 2 walks, 4 RBI and a run scored

Collins -  2-4, double, walk, 3 RBI

Dickey -  0-4, walk

Ripken - 0-4

Johnson - 1-4

Jones   1-3, walk

McCovey  1-4, double, run scored

Gwynn  1-4, 

Ott, 0-4

Raines 2-3, double, walk, RBI

Utley 0-3, walk

Yount 2-4,

Posey 2-4

Alexander 0-2

Sosa 0-1

Goldschmidt 0-1

WP Johnson, 9 IP 9 hits, 3 walks, 4 Ks, 1 earned

LP Alexander, 6 IP 4 hits, 5 walks, 4 Ks, 2 earned

Scherzer 1.1 IP, 7 earned 

DeGrom .2 IP, 1 earned

All Time MLB All Star Tournament

 Using the same simulation engine that I've used previously, I'm doing an MLB mini-tournament.

4 teams, an all time All Star squad for both leagues (Houston-AL, Milwaukee-NL, regardless of what league the teams were in during the year in question) and then a second team squad for both leagues.

AL1

AL2

NL1

NL2

Here's the format (all 7 game series).  

AL1 v. NL2 (AL home field, 2-3-2)

NL1 v. AL2 (NL home field 2-3-2)

Losers Bracket Series (home field determined by coin flip)

Winners Bracket Series (home field determined by coin flip)

Winner from Losers Bracket v Loser from Winners Bracket (loser from WB home field 2-3-2)

2 Remaining Teams for the Title (winners bracket winner home field 2-2-3)

25 Man Squads, No DH - selections included strong platoon considerations and so will lineup choices; I'm trying to get every position player a start, so I'll strongly lean platoon when making decisions, save for elimination games when, for example, Babe Ruth is in the lineup even if the pitcher is a lefty, that sort of thing.  Post 19th C player pool.  

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL STARS 1

Mgr - Joe McCarthy

Home Field - Yankee Stadium/Tiger Stadium/Camden

C 1937 Bill Dickey (LH-30)

C  2009 Joe Mauer (LH-26)

1B 1927 Lou Gehrig (LH-24)

1B 1932 Jimmie Foxx (RH-24)

2B 1910 Nap Lajoie (RH-35)

2B 1915 Eddie Collins (LH-28)

SS 1991 Cal Ripken (RH-30)

SS 1948 Lou Boudreau (RH-30)

3B 2007 Alex Rodriguez (RH-31)

3B 1980 George Brett (LH-27)

LF 1946 Ted Williams (LH-27)

LF 1990 Rickey Henderson (RH-31)

CF 1957 Mickey Mantle (SH-25)

CF 1941 Joe DiMaggio (RH-26)

RF 1923 Babe Ruth (LH-28)

RF 1917 Ty Cobb (RH-30)

SP 1913 Walter Johnson (RH-25)

SP 2000 Pedro Martinez (RH-28)

SP 1945 Hal Newhouser (LH-24)

SP 1997 Roger Clemens (RH-34)

SP 1908 Ed Walsh (RH-27)

RP 2008 Mariano Rivera (RH-38)

RP 1904 Rube Waddell (LH-27)

RP 1946 Bob Feller (RH-27)

RP 1901 Cy Young (RH-34)

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL STARS 2

Mgr. - Casey Stengel

Home Field - Fenway Park/Shibe Park/Comiskey

C 1950 Yogi Berra (LH-25)

C 1972 Carlton Fisk (RH-24)

1B 1977 Rod Carew (LH-31)

1B 1994 Jeff Bagwell (RH-26)

2B 1997 Craig Biggio (RH-31)

2B 1934 Charlie Gehringer (LH-31)

SS 1987 Alan Trammell (RH-29)

SS 1999 Derek Jeter (RH-25)

3B 1985 Wade Boggs (LH-27)

3B 2011 Miguel Cabrera (RH-28)

LF 1912 Tris Speaker (LH-24)

LF 2022 Aaron Judge (RH-39)

CF 2012 Mike Trout (RH-20)

CF 1996 Ken Griffey, Jr (LH-26)

RF 2018 Mookie Betts (RH-25)

RF 1969 Reggie Jackson (LH-23)

SP 2009 Zach Greinke (RH-25)

SP 1973 Bert Blyleven (RH-22)

SP 1978 Ron Guidry (LH-27)

SP 1931 Lefty Grove (LH-31)

SP 1975 Jim Palmer (RH-29)

RP 1990 Dennis Eckersley (RH-35)

RP 1971 Vida Blue (LH-21)

RP 1986 Mike Scott (RH-31)

SP 2011 Justin Verlander (RH-28)

NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL STARS 1

Mgr. - John McGraw

Home Field - Dodger Stadium/Polo Grounds/Oracle

C 1972 Johnny Bench (RH-24)

C 1997 Mike Piazza (RH-28)

1B 1946 Stan Musial (LH-27)

1B 2009 Albert Pujols (RH-29)

2B 1924 Rogers Hornsby (RH-28)

2B 1975 Joe Morgan (LH-31)

SS 1908 Honus Wagner (RH-34)

SS 1934 Arky Vaughan (LH-23)

3B 1980 Mike Schmidt (RH-30)

3B 1959 Eddie Mathews (LH-27)

LF 2001 Barry Bonds (LH-36)

LF 1962 Frank Robinson (RH-26)

CF 1965 Willie Mays (RH-34)

CF 1953 Duke Snider (LH-26)

RF 1959 Hank Aaron (RH-25)

RF 2015 Bryce Harper (LH-22)

SP 1908 Christy Mathewson (RH-27)

SP 1968 Bob Gibson (RH-32)

SP 1972 Steve Carlton (LH-27)

SP 1985 Dwight Gooden (RH-20)

SP 1995 Greg Maddux (RH-29)

RP 2012 Craig Kimbrel (RH-24)

RP 1963 Sandy Koufax (LH-27)

RP 1971 Tom Seaver (RH-26)

RP 2001 Randy Johnson (LH-37)

NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL STARS 2

Mgr - Tony LaRussa

Home Field Wrigley Field/Ebbets Field/Sportsman's Park

C 1982 Gary Carter (RH-28)

C 2012 Buster Posey (RH-25)

1B 1969 Willie McCovey (LH-31)

1B 2015 Paul Goldschmidt (RH-27)

2B 1951 Jackie Robinson (RH-32)

2B 2008 Chase Utley (LH-29)

SS 1982 Robin Yount (RH-26)

SS 1959 Ernie Banks (RH-28)

3B 1967 Ron Santo (RH-27)

3B 2008 Chipper Jones (SH-36)

LF 2001 Sammy Sosa (RH-32)

LF 1987 Tony Gwynn (LH-27)

CF 1985 Tim Raines (SH-25)

CF 1981 Andre Dawson (RH-26)

RF 1967 Roberto Clemente (RH-32)

RF 1932 Mel Ott (LH-23)

SP 1915 Grover Cleveland Alexander (RH-28)

SP 1933 Carl Hubbell (LH-30)

SP 2013 Clayton Kershaw (LH-25)

SP 2018 Jacob DeGrom (RH-30)

SP 1965 Juan Marichal (RH-27)

RP 2021 Josh Hader (LH-27)

RP 1971 Ferguson Jenkins (RH-28)

RP 1947 Warren Spahn (LH-26)

RP 2018 Max Scherzer (RH-33)

August, 2024 Athlete of the Month

 July

Katie Ledecky.  Runners-up: Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin Levrone, Steph Curry

3/4 of the year is gone - here are the contenders for 2024 Athlete of the Year.

Jan-Travis Kelce

Feb- Patrick Mahomes

March - Caitlin Clark

April - Mookie Betts

May- Luka Doncic

June - Connor McDavid

July-Simone Biles

August-Katie Ledecky