Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
The 1982 All-Star Game pretty much followed the script of the past decade.
The American League led early. And the National League won for the 11th straight year -- and for the 19th time in 20 games -- to take a 34-18-1 lead in the series on July 13, 1982, with a 4-1 victory in the first All-Star Game played in Canada.
Oakland A's left fielder Rickey Henderson opened the game with a single off National League right-handed starter Steve Rogers of the host Expos in front of 59,057 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. With one out, Henderson moved to second on a single by Kansas City third baseman George Brett and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Henderson scored on a sacrifice fly by Yankees right fielder Reggie Jackson.
Although Milwaukee first baseman Cecil Cooper would add an infield single in the first, that was pretty much it offensively for the AL. It would get only five hits over the final eight innings.
When Detroit catcher Lance Parrish doubled to open the seventh and Henderson reached on a one-out bunt single and stole second -- putting runners at second and third with one out -- Mario Soto of the Cincinnati Reds struck out Kansas City center fielder Willie Wilson and Texas Rangers third baseman Buddy Bell to end the threat.
The NL took the lead on a decisive but unexpected two-run homer by Cincinnati shortstop Dave Concepcion in the bottom of the second off AL starter Dennis Eckersley of the Boston Red Sox.
Concepcion, who entered the game with one home run during the regular season, connected after Atlanta right fielder Dale Murphy drew a two-out walk. The homer earned Concepcion the game's Most Valuable Player honors.
The Padres' lone representative, outfielder Ruppert Jones, helped the NL widen its lead to 3-1 in the third.
Jones led off the third pinch-hitting for Rogers and tripled to right center off Eckersley. Jones scored on a sacrifice fly by Phillies first baseman Pete Rose.
The NL's final run came in the bottom of the sixth against Kansas City's Dan Quisenberry. It was an all-Canadian production, to the delight of Montreal fans.
Expos first baseman Al Oliver, the lone NL player with two hits in the game, opened the inning with a double down the left-field foul line and advanced to third on an error by Henderson. Oliver scored on a two-out single by Expos catcher Gary Carter.
Henderson had three hits for the AL and also drew a walk and stole a base. Brett had two hits.
Rogers worked the first three innings and picked up the win. He allowed one run on four hits while striking out two. Steve Carlton of the Phillies and Soto followed Rogers with two scoreless innings apiece. Each had four strikeouts while allowing three baserunners. Four pitchers shared the final two innings.
Eckersley took the loss.