Read CNN’s MLB All-Star Game Fast Facts and learn more about the baseball competition that’s also known as the „Midsummer Classic.“
Here’s a look at Major League Baseball’s annual All-Star Game, where representatives from the National League and American League compete in the contest also known as the „Midsummer Classic.“
Facts
2020 – The 91st MLB All-Star Game has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Los Angeles Dodgers had been scheduled to host, but will now host the game in 2022. The Atlanta Braves remain the host of the 2021 All-Star Game.
July 9, 2019 – The 90th MLB All-Star Game takes place at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The American League defeats the National League 4-3. This is the National League’s seventh straight win.
The American League has won 45 times and the National League has won 43 times. There have been two games that were tied.
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Selection Process
The All-Star team managers are the managers of the teams that were in the World Series the previous season.
Each team has a 32-man roster, which includes 20 position players and 12 pitchers. This is down from 34 prior to 2017.
Fans vote for the starting positions in an election called „The Primary.“ For the team representing the National League, fans vote for eight position players. On the American League’s team, fans are able to vote for one extra spot, since this league has a designated hitter position.
The top three vote-getters in each position advance to a separate, second round election. The winners are selected as starters.
The players and the Commissioner’s Office choose all the pitchers and reserves.
All 30 Major League teams must be represented on the All-Star roster.
The Home Run Derby takes place the day before the All-Star Game. Eight players try to hit the most home runs in this bracket-style, timed competition.
2019 All-Star Game Rosters
History
July 6,1933 – The first game is held in Chicago’s Comiskey Park. Babe Ruth hits the first home run in All-Star history. The AL team wins 4-2.
1945 – The game is not held as there are strict war time restrictions on travel.
1950 -The game goes into extra innings, a first.
1959-1962 – Two All-Star Games are held each season.
1961 – Due to rain, an All-Star Game ends in a tie for the first time.
1962 – The Most Valuable Player award is introduced. Maury Wills of the Los Angeles Dodgers is named the MVP for the first game, and Leon Wagner of the Dodgers is the MVP of the second game.
2002 – The game ends in a tie for the second time in All-Star history.
2003 – For the first time, the league that wins the All-Star Game will have home field advantage in the World Series. Since 1903, home field advantage has alternated between the leagues.
2008 – The game lasts four hours and 50 minutes, the longest in history. The game also ties with 1967 for most innings played, at 15.
December 2016 – As part of a collective bargaining agreement, the MLB decides the winner of the All-Star Game no longer has home field advantage in the World Series.
July 3, 2020 – For the first time since WW II travel restrictions, the MLB All-Star game is canceled.
Photos:MLB 2017: Pitchers dominate top 20 baseball earners
Los Angeles Dogers teammates Adrian Gonzalez (right) and Clayton Kershaw both feature as top 20 Major League Baseball earners in 2017. Kershaw is one of 12 baseball players in history to sign a contract worth over $200 million. Topping the list is Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, with a 13-year contact worth $325 million, the highest in sports. Stanton, however, will make $14.5 million in 2017, placing him 70th this year. (Source: Spotrac).
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Photos:MLB 2017: Pitchers dominate top 20 baseball earners
No.20: Justin Upton, $22.125 million – The Detroit Tigers left fielder is a former overall No.1 draft pick and three time All-Star. Upton came in fourth in MVP voting in 2011, when he batted.289 with 31 home runs,88 RBIs and 21 stolen bases for Arizona. He heads into the second year of a six-year $132.75 million contract.
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Photos:MLB 2017: Pitchers dominate top 20 baseball earners
No.19: Max Scherzer, $22.123 – Washington Nationals pitching ace Max Scherzer is the reining National League Cy Young Award winner (his second), has pitched two no-hitters in the same season (2015), and co-holds the single game strikeout record (20). The 32-year-old has a career 125-69 record, and is in the third of a seven-year $210 million contract.
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Photos:MLB 2017: Pitchers dominate top 20 baseball earners
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