The 1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 40th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played in the afternoon on Wednesday, July 23, at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C., and resulted in a 9–3 victory for the National League. Steve Carlton was the winning pitcher while Mel Stottlemyre was the losing pitcher.
The game was originally scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, July 22, but heavy rains forced its postponement to the following afternoon. The 1969 contest remains the last All-Star Game to date to be played earlier than prime time in the Eastern United States.
President Richard Nixon originally planned to attend the Tuesday night game and throw out the first ball, and then depart for the splashdown of Apollo 11 in the Pacific Ocean. But with the game's postponement until Wednesday afternoon, Nixon missed the game altogether and Vice President Spiro Agnew attended instead.
Game summary After scoring in the first inning on an error, the National League made it 3–0 in the second inning against AL starter Mel Stottlemyre on a two-run homer by Reds' catcher Johnny Bench. Denny McLain was scheduled as the American League starter, but was late arriving to the stadium (via his own airplane) and pitched later in the game.
Five more runs came across for the NL in the third inning, Blue Moon Odom of Oakland surrendering all. Willie McCovey's two-run homer and back-to-back doubles by Félix Millán and pitcher Steve Carlton were the key blows.
McCovey added another home run in the fourth, and was voted the game's most valuable player.
Starting lineup
Reserves
American League
Pitchers ThrowsPitcherTeamNotesRHRay CulpBoston Red SoxLHDarold KnowlesWashington SenatorsLHMickey LolichDetroit Tigers Did not pitchLHSam McDowell Cleveland Indians RHDenny McLainDetroit TigersLHDave McNallyBaltimore OriolesRHBlue Moon OdomOakland Athletics
Position players PositionPlayerTeamNotesCEllie RodríguezKansas City RoyalsDid not playCJohn RoseboroMinnesota Twins1BDon Mincher Seattle Pilots Replaced Mike Hegan1BHarmon Killebrew Minnesota Twins 2BMike AndrewsBoston Red SoxReplaced Davey Johnson2BDavey JohnsonBaltimore OriolesInjured, did not play3BBrooks RobinsonBaltimore OriolesSSJim FregosiCalifornia AngelsOFPaul BlairBaltimore OriolesOFMike HeganSeattle PilotsInjured, did not playOFCarlos MayChicago White SoxOFTony OlivaMinnesota TwinsInjured, did not playOFReggie SmithBoston Red SoxOFRoy WhiteNew York YankeesOFCarl YastrzemskiBoston Red Sox
National League
Pitchers ThrowsPitcherTeamNotesRHLarry DierkerHouston AstrosRHBob GibsonSt. Louis CardinalsLHGrant JacksonPhiladelphia Phillies Did not pitchRHJerry KoosmanNew York MetsRHJuan MarichalSan Francisco Giants Did not pitchRHPhil NiekroAtlanta BravesRHTom SeaverNew York Mets Did not pitchRHBill SingerLos Angeles Dodgers
Position players PositionPlayerTeamNotesC Chris CannizzaroSan Diego PadresDid not playCRandy HundleyChicago Cubs1BErnie Banks Chicago Cubs 1BLee May Cincinnati Reds 2BGlenn Beckert Chicago Cubs 3BTony PérezCincinnati RedsSSDenis Menke Houston Astros OFRoberto ClementePittsburgh PiratesOFWillie MaysSan Francisco GiantsOFPete Rose Cincinnati Reds OFRusty StaubMontreal Expos Did not play
Umpires Position Umpire Home Plate Red Flaherty (AL) First Base Augie Donatelli (NL) Second Base Bob Stewart (AL) Third Base Tom Gorman (NL) Left Field Marty Springstead (AL) Right Field Tony Venzon (NL)
Line score
References
External links 1969 All-Star Game Box Score, July 23 at Baseball-Reference.com 1969 All-Star Game at Baseball Almanac July 23, 1969: Willie McCovey’s two homers power National League to All-Star win at Society for American Baseball Research (SABR Games Project)