The Major League Baseball All-Star Break is here and thus the spectacle of the Home Run Derby and the actual All-Star game are upon us. Since 1933 the game has appeared on national television and the Home Run Derby has appeared on ESPN in a tape-delayed format since 1993, finally going live in 1998.
This got us at SportTechie thinking, what would have been the ten best moments to follow live on social media and provide the best Vine and Instagram Video clips from yesteryear.
10. Callison walks-off to close out the only Shea All-Star Appearance
Jonny Callison was an outfielder for the Phillies during the 1960s who made three all-star appearances and hit 226 career home runs. In the Bottom of the ninth inning, Callison hit a walk-off home run to give the National League the victory in the only time Shea Stadium hosted the mid-summer classic.
The best moment for video, Callison getting swamped at home plate by a plethora of future hall-of-famers including Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, Juan Marchial, Willie Stargel among others. Watching the diminutive 5’9, 175 pound Callison get swallowed by these legends is surely a treat.
9. Randy “The Big Unit” Johnson intimidates NL Lefties
In the time before Interleague and before Randy Johnson was traded to the National League, most lefty batters had never seen the 6’10 southpaw. Enter Larry Walker and John Kruk, both NL Sluggers during the 1990s.
The Unit who loved to mess with lefties, throws the same exact pitch to Kruk and Walker, just a tad high. These two pitches and the batters reactions are perfect for Vine.
8. 1999: Pedro Martinez Strikes Out Five Batters in Two Innings
Pedro brought out his best stuff at the 1999 All-Star game at his own park. Martinez struck out future HoF Barry Larkin and then sluggers Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and Jeff Bagwell. The impressive performance would have made for great video, from the K’s being hung on the green monster, to the trembling of the grandstands.
7. Reggie Jackson with a LONG DRIVE
Potentially the greatest Vine Home Run video ever. Reggie Jackson at the 1971 game in Detroit pulled his best “Natural” impression, hitting a home run that reportedly traveled 571 feet and hit the light transformer on the stadiums roof. Nothing like a long drive captured live to peak social media’s interest.
6. Japan’s Hit King rounds the bases without the ball leaving the park
The most recent event to the occur on our countdown, dates back just 6 years to the 2007 game at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Ichiro Suzuki, Japan’s hit king showed off his incredible speed, rounding the bases in less than 18 seconds to record the first Inside-the-Park Home Run in All-Star game history. The feat led to the future Hall-of-Famer earning MVP honors.
5. Bonds gets robbed by a Hunter
Barry Bonds, who in 2002 had become the all-time single season home run leader, was at the height of his power. Torii Hunter said not so fast to another potential Bonds homer. In a clip tailor made for social media, Hunter races back, jumps way above the centerfield fence and snares a would be homer away from Bonds. The play is highlighted as Bonds gives Hunter a surprising bear hug on his way back to the dugout.
4. Bo Knows: Lead Off Home Run’s
At the height of the “Bo Knows” era, the amazing two-sport athlete pulverized the first pitch thrown to him in the 1989 ASG. The ball which was gone in a flash was hit more than 400 feet would have set off a bevy of hashtag for both Jackson and his number one endorser Nike would have been impressive.
3. All-Star Weekend in Boston
It began with one of the great home run shows in history, with Mark McGwire hitting ball after ball over the Green Monster, putting balls on to the nearby highway.
The following night numerous legends were honored on the diamond including one of the all-time great Bostonians, Ted Williams. The moments between Williams and McGwire was one of the great All-Star moments and would have been perfect for Vine or Instagram Video.
2. Griffey hits the Warehouse
The 1993 Home Run Derby turned into one of the great Ken Griffey Jr. moments. Aired on tape-delay, Griffey in his backwards cap, hit a long drive to right field at the brand new Camden Yards, clearing the wall, the walk-way and eventually hitting the B&O Warehouse. To this day it is the only home run in Camden Yards history to hit the warehouse. Due to his popularity, the length of the home run and its culture significance, fan video would have been the perfect for this historic Derby moment.
1. Pete Rose Knocks out Fosse
In an event that might have broken the Internet, Pete Rose created one of the most memorable All-Star moments in history. During the 1970 classic, Rose was on second, when a shallow base hit came ripping through the infield. The ever-aggressive Rose, rounded third and broke for home. The ball and Rose reached catcher Ray Fosse at almost the exact same moment in time. ‘Charlie Hustle’ doesn’t slide, but rather tries to go through Fosse, knocking him over in a cloud of dust. The ball never made it to Fosse’s glove and the catcher suffered a separated shoulder. The National League was again victorious.
The play, which has been analyzed for decades, is often described, as one of Rose’s worst plays as his collision ruined Fosse’s career. Many of Rose’s critics have mentioned that his collision could have been avoided especially in an exhibition game. In the quick to judge social media era, one could only imagine the scorn that would have faced Rose from all baseball fans and especially people from the state of Ohio, as Fosse was a Cleveland Indian. A perfect moment for social media video and number one on our countdown.