RobKirkpatrick.com

Wednesday, July 23, 1969

The top players from the National and American Leagues squared off in the All-Star Game at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC.

Centerfielder Matty Alou got the National Leaguers started by leading off the game with a single and later scored on an error by leftfielder Frank Howard.

In the top of the second, the Senior Circuit increased its lead when Mets leftfielder Cleon Jones singled and Johnny Bench followed with a 2-run homer off AL starter Mel Stottlemyre.

Howard, the hometown hero, got the American League on the board with a solo shot in the bottom of the inning, but the NL answered back with a 5-run outburst against A’s pitcher “Blue Moon” Odom. Hank Aaron singled with no outs and Willie McCovey sent one over the fence. Felix Millan doubled in 2 runs and then scored when starting pitcher Steve Carlton surprised everybody by smacking a double, chasing Odom from the game.

Bill Freehan smacked a home run for the American League in the home third, and Willie McCovey responded with his second home run in the two innings.

Freehan notched an RBI single in the 4th. The pitching staffs from both teams took over at that point, and the National League cruised to a 9-3 victory.

Cleon Jones had a 2-for-4 night, and Mets teammate Jerry Koosman pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Cubs third baseman Ron Santo went 0 for 3.

NL 9, AL 3.  W: Carlton  L: Stottlemyre  SV: P. Niekro

STARTING LINEUP

NL

CF Alou (PIT)

SS Kessinger (CHI)

RF Aaron (ATL)

1B McCovey (SF)

3B Santo (CHI)

LF Jones (NYM)

C  Bench (CIN)

2B Millan (ATL)

P  Carlton (STL)

AL

2B Carew (MIN)

CF Jackson (OAK)

RF F. Robinson (BAL)

1B Powell (BAL)

LF Howard (WAS)

3B Bando (OAK)

SS Petrocelli (BOS)

C  Freehan (DET)

P  Stottlemyre (NYY)