I can remember when the National League was unbeatable in the MLB All-Star Game , also known as the Summer Classic. The boys from the Senior Circuit won 19 of 20 games from 1963 through 1982, only losing the 1971 game in Detroit’s Tiger Stadium. The ‘71’ game in Detroit is more known for Reggie Jackson’s mammoth home run off the left field light tower than the American League winning the game.
Over a five year period 1982-87 the American League managed two wins bettering what it had done the previous 24 years. Then in 1988 the pendulum swung the other way and the junior circuit has dominated winning 15 of the next 19 games.
Each league has now dominated over a two-decade period leaving open the question; when will the pendulum swing again?
Oddsmakers online at, Sportsbook.com favor the American League in tonight’s game having installed the AL with a -127 money line chalk as opposed to the +117 juice the NL is getting.
The feeling here around Las Vegas seems to be leaning in favor of taking the positive juice on the Nationals knowing the league has improved as much of the top talent that has been so dominating in the AL for so many years is aging. While the National League has aging players, i.e. Barry Bonds, they seem to have the hottest young talent in the likes of Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder and Saint Louis’ Albert Pujols.
While the pendulum hasn’t swung completely, it’s to the point where the leagues are on par with each other. Five years ago that wasn’t the case
American League Roster National League Roster
(starters in bold) (starters in bold)
Position Players Positon Players
Catchers Catchers
Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers Russell Martin, Dodgers
Victor Martinez, Indians Brian McCann, Braves
Jorge Posada, Yankees
Infield Infield
Derek Jeter, Yankees Prince Fielder, Brewers
David Ortiz, Red Sox Jose Reyes, Mets
Placido Polanco, Tigers Chase Utley, Phillies
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees David Wright Mets
Michael Young, Rangers Freddy Sanchez, Pirates
Mike Lowell Red, Sox Dmitri Young, Nationals
Carlos Guillen, Tigers Miguel Cabrera, Marlins
Justin Morneau, Twins J.J. Hardy, Brewers
Brian Roberts, Orioles Orlando Hudson, D-Backs
Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Outfield Outfield
Vladimir Guerrero, Angels Carlos Beltran, Mets
Magglio Ordonez, Tigers Barry Bonds, Giants
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners Ken Griffey, Jr, Reds
Carl Crawford, Detroit Aaron Rowand, Phillies
Alex Rios, Blue Jays Matt Holliday, Rockies
Torii Hunter, Twins Carlos Lee, Astros
Manny Ramirez, Red Sox Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
Grady Sizemore, Indians
Pitchers Pitchers
Dan Haren, Athletics Jake Peavy, Padres
Josh Beckett, Red Sox Brian Fuentes, Rockies
Bobby Jenks, White Sox Cole Hamels, Phillies
John Lackey, Angels Trevor Hoffman, Padres
Gil Meche, Royals Jake Peavy, Padres
Hikeki Okajima, Red Sox Brad Penny, Dodgers
Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox Takashi Saito, Dodgers
J.J. Putz, Mariners Ben Sheets, Brewers
Francisco Rodriguez, Angels Roy Oswalt, Astros
C.C. Sabathia, Indians Jose Valverde, D-Backs
Johan Santana, Twins Billy Wagner, Mets
Justin Verlander, Tigers Chris Young, Padres
Francisco Cordero, Brewers
