Given all the legends who have played for the Red Sox, perhaps it is only fitting that the club has had its share of standout performances on the national stage that is the All-Star Game.
Here is a ranking of the top 10 moments by Boston players in the Midsummer Classic.
1. Teddy Ballgame calls game in ’41
In 1941, the All-Star Game was a lot more than a friendly exhibition game. Back then, the American League/National League rivalry was very real. More than a half-century before Interleague Play existed, this was a way for the best players in each league to measure themselves against one another. Months before he completed his .406 season, Williams had perhaps an even bigger thrill, clocking a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to cap a wild, 7-5 victory for the AL at Detroit’s Briggs Stadium. His parting shot came against Cubs righty Claude Passeau. Williams once called it “the most thrilling hit of my life.”
2. Pedro’s two electric innings at Fenway
Fenway Park was already buzzing with electricity by the time hometown hero Pedro Martinez took the mound for the American League for the top of the first for the 1999 All-Star Game. There were chills and thrills when Williams came out for the ceremonial first pitch as the current stars surrounded him and chatted him up. Martinez added more magic to the night by getting five of his six outs via the strikeout while allowing no hits. His fastball in the upper 90s and his changeup unhittable, Martinez was at the height of his powers that night and was named the game’s MVP. At the end of the night, Williams invited Martinez up to his luxury box and told him, “You’re a hell of a pitcher.”
3. Williams makes himself at home in ’46
Five years after he walked off the National League, Williams this time got to play the All-Star Game at Fenway -- and he did not disappoint. In a performance for the ages, the Splendid Splinter went 4-for-4 with four runs, two homers and five RBIs. His second homer came off a blooper pitch by Rip Sewell. It was part of a magical season for Williams in which the Red Sox won their only pennant during his career.
4. Houston, we have a Rocket return
1986 was the breakout season in the brilliant career of Roger Clemens. So imagine what a thrill it was for him to start for the American League in the All-Star Game in his hometown of Houston while facing off against Mets phenom Dwight Gooden. Clemens got the better of the matchup, firing three perfect innings while striking out two. He was the MVP of the game.
5. Yaz’s pinch-hit homer off Seaver
There was but one hitting highlight for the AL in the 1975 All-Star Game at Milwaukee’s County Stadium, but it was a big one. Carl Yastrzmeski, Boston’s veteran captain, clocked a game-tying, three-run homer in the sixth inning off Tom Seaver. The NL scored three times in the top of the ninth en route to the 6-3 victory.
6. Yaz named MVP in ’70
You have to turn in a pretty special performance to be the MVP of an All-Star Game while playing for the losing team. And that’s what Yastrzemski did in 1970, going 4-for-6 at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium in a 5-4 loss for the AL in 12 innings. Yaz’s performance was overshadowed by a major controversy -- Pete Rose’s overly aggressive slide that injured catcher Ray Fosse.
7. Bo, Boggs go back-to-back in ’89
With former United States president Ronald Reagan doing a guest appearance in the broadcast booth in Anaheim, multi-sport star Bo Jackson led off the bottom of the first with a home run. “And Bo Jackson says hello!” Vin Scully famously told his viewers on television. Wade Boggs, Boston’s five-time batting champ, kept the momentum going when he made it back-to-back homers to start the first against Rick Reuschel. The AL pulled out a 5-3 victory in front of 64,036.
8. Lynn takes Lefty deep in ’79
Fred Lynn’s most memorable All-Star moment took place when he played for the Angels in 1982, when he hit what is still the only grand slam in the history of the Midsummer Classic. But he also performed well under the bright lights in his All-Star performances for Boston, including this night in 1979 at the Kingdome in Seattle when he took the legendary Steve Carlton over the wall to give the AL a 3-2 lead in the top of the first.
9. Duran’s dream season goes national
Given that 2024 was a dream season for Jarren Duran, perhaps it should come as no surprise that it continued at the All-Star Game in Arlington, where Boston’s dynamic outfielder snapped a 3-3 tie with a two-run homer in the fifth against Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene. Those wound up being the last two runs of the night and Duran took home the MVP.
10. Drew MVP in ’08 marathon at Yankee Stadium
With Yankee Stadium II in its final season, it wasn’t surprising for the All-Star Game to be held there. The home crowd would have preferred Derek Jeter or Mariano Rivera coming up with the MVP. Instead, in a 15-inning contest, Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew took home the trophy. As part of a 2-for-4 performance, Drew mashed a game-tying, two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. Who could have known there were eight more innings to come?