This day in Los Angeles Dodgers history saw the team host the 1980 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. It marked just the franchise’s third time doing so, and up until 2022, it was the only Midsummer Classic played at Chavez Ravine.
The Dodgers were represented in the 1980 All-Star Game by Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Jerry Reuss, Bill Russell, Reggie Smith and Bob Welch.
Lopes was in the leadoff spot of the National League lineup, but grounded out in his only at-bat. Lopes remained in the game at second base until being replaced by Phil Garner when the fourth inning began.
Smith, hitting second and playing center field, went 0-for-2. Garvey, starting at first base and batting in the cleanup spot, also went hitless in his two at-bats.
Russell was eighth in the NL lineup and played shortstop, but did not record a hit as well. Welch piggybacked NL starting pitcher J.R. Richard and allowed two runs in three innings of work. Welch went 0-for-1 in his lone plate appearance in the bottom of the third.
The American League got the scoreboard in the fifth inning when Fred Lynn hit a two-run homer off Welch, giving them a 2-0 lead. The NL answered back with a Ken Griffey Sr. solo home run in the bottom half of the frame, trimming the deficit to just run.
Reuss followed Welch with a scoreless sixth inning. He struck out the side and ultimately earned the win after the NL scored three unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh innings for a 4-2.
Griffey was named 1980 MLB All-Star Game MVP.
Dodgers All-Star Game history
Overall in Dodgers franchise history, they have hosted the All-Star Game in 1949 (Ebbets Field), 1959 (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum), 1980 (Dodger Stadium) and 2022 (Dodger Stadium).
They were originally were due to hold the 2020 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, but the event was canceled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
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