ST. LOUIS – The National League used to dominate the Midsummer Classic, reeling off a string of wins in the 60s, 70s and 80s. But these days, the annual All-Star spectacle belongs to the “Junior Circuit” – the American League.
The NL hasn’t won since 1996, something the “Senior Circuit” will try and change tonight when the 80th annual affair squares off in St. Louis.
Now 11-0-1 since its 1996 defeat at Philadelphia — the longest unbeaten streak in All-Star history — the AL has cut the overall gap to 40-37-2 in All-Star games and hasn’t lost in six meetings since the winning league started receiving home-field advantage in the World Series.
Welcome to one of the most one-sided rivalries in sports.
“We’d like to keep this streak alive one more year,” Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan said.
Reigning NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum will have honor of trying to change that fortune as he gets the start, opposing Toronto starter and AL pick Roy Halladay.
“We would love to be able to snap that streak,” said Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard, a St. Louis native. “It always seems like they kind of pull it out towards the end of the game but, you know, hopefully this year it will be different.”
Couldn’t be more different from 1966, the last time the stars met in St. Louis. The NL was in the midst of winning nine straight All-Star games and 19 of 20.
Ever since, the AL has turned the tables on their counterparts, even dominating the NL in interleague play during the regular season. Since interleague play began in 1997, the AL had a 1,673-1,534 advantage and this year’s season series went 137-114 to the junior circuit – its sixth straight winning record and ninth in 13 years. The All-Star dominance hasn’t carried over as much in October. The AL has won seven of the last 12 Fall Classics and each side is 3-3 since the Midsummer Classic determined home field in the World Series.
“Is there more talent in the American League than the National League? Not necessarily,” Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon said. “I think it’s just two totally different styles of baseball, and when you put those up against each other for one game, our style seems to come out ahead.”
Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel believes the AL’s dominance should be further incentive for his club tonight. “That's motivation and something else to play harder for. Yeah, I hear that, and I think our league definitely wants to win, and we would love to be called the superior league.”
All-Star victories have taken on increased importance because of the connection to the World Series. In 18 of the last 23 Series, the team with home-field advantage has gone on to win.
2009 MLB All-Star Lineups
American League
1. Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle, rf
2. Derek Jeter, New York, ss
3. Joe Mauer, Minnesota, c
4. Mark Teixeira, New York, 1b
5. Jason Bay, Boston, lf
6. Josh Hamilton, Texas, cf
7. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay, 3b
8. Aaron Hill, Toronto, 2b
9. Roy Halladay, Toronto, p
National League
1. Hanley Ramirez, Florida, ss
2. Chase Utley, Philadelphia, 2b
3. Albert Pujols, St. Louis, 1b
4. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee, rf
5. Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia, lf
6. David Wright, New York, 3b
7. Shane Victorino, Philadelphia, cf
8. Yadier Molina, St. Louis, c
9. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco, p
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