Vice president George Bush is accompanied by Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller before baseball's 1981 All-Star Game Aug. 9, 1981, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
DOG COMMENTARY:
The 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 52nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League (AL) and National League (NL)….as the game was held on August 9, 1981, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio…which was the the home of the Cleveland Indians of the American League in 1981..
This was one of only two All-Star Games to be played outside the month of July….with the other being the 2nd 1959 game. The game was originally to be played on July 14….but was cancelled due to the players’ strike lasting from June 12 to July 31. It was then brought back as a prelude to the second half of the season….which began the following day….so, fans that attended this game were starving for baseball to return….and what better way than having 72,086 people in attendance at the All Star Game….as it broke the stadium’s own record of 69,751 set in 1954….setting the still-standing record for the highest attendance in an All Star Game. Cleveland Stadium set a new All-Star Game record by hosting its fourth and ultimately, final Midsummer Classic. By the time Indians played host to the All-Star Game for the fifth time in 1997…. they had moved to Jacobs Field.
This 1981 All Star Game featured 18 future Hall of Fame members….with the NL having C Gary Carter, 3B Mike Schmidt, OF Andre Dawson, P Steve Carlton, P Nolan Ryan, P Tom Seaver, P Bruce Sutter, SS Ossie Smith and OF Tim Raines….while the AL showcased P Jack Morris, C Carlton Fisk, 1B Rod Carew, 3B George Brett, OF Reggie Jackson, OF Dave Winfield, P Rollie Fingers, P Goose Gossage and 1B Eddie Murray….which when you add legendary voice of baseball, Mel Allen, into the mix….makes this video MUST SEE TV for any and all baseball fans….and an absolute “nugget of gold” in our treasure chest of vintage memories at our ImaSportsphile video museum.
