One of my favorite MLB All-Star game memories was in 1989 when my boyhood idol, Vin Scully, was joined by the then recently former President Ronald Reagan for the first inning of the midsummer classic. Reagan was on the air when Bo Jackson went yard. Wade Boggs followed him with a homerun of his own of the very next at-bat.
The game was held on July 11, 1989 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Reagan and Scully, two California pals, were right at home together in the booth. The A.L. would go on to win the game 5-3. Jackson would go on to be named the game’s M.V.P.
The NL got off to a fast start off Dave Stewart in the first on RBI singles by Kevin Mitchell and Howard Johnson. The AL would counter in spectacular fashion in their half when Jackson took the first pitch by Rick Reuschel, a low sinker, and golfed it out in deep center. Wade Boggs followed with a solo homer of his own to tie it.
The AL took the lead the very next inning when Jackson beat out a double play grounder, scoring Rubén Sierra. Jackson then stole second, making him the only player (to date) to have a home run and a stolen base in the same All-Star game. The AL expanded their lead to 5-2 in the third on RBI singles by Harold Baines and Sierra. The NL would get no closer than a run in the eighth when Von Hayes singled home Glenn Davis.
*Image from DodgersNation.com
