In the Juiced Ball Era, which overlaps with the Fly Ball Revolution, it’s only reasonable to expect that home run records – both significant and obscure – would fall. And last night, at the All-Star Game, one of them got WHOOPED.
The starring squads each went deep five times, combining for ten homers and obliterating the previous record of six.
Willson Contreras got his shot in there, too, so it’s cool that he’s part of the record. Ultimately, it was a pair of back-to-back shots by Astros Alex Bregman and George Springer in the 10th inning that did in the NL, after Scooter Gennett had dramatically tied the game in the 9th with a two-run homer.
Here are all the blasts from the game, first the NL’s five:
And the AL’s winning five:
It wasn’t quite as many as the Home Run Derby the night before, but it was just as dramatic (well, as dramatic as an exhibition event can be). More importantly, it was fun. I don’t know how many people were watching, but those who were got a good show of what baseball has to offer from its stars.
And one of the Cubs’ best and brightest was on display, too. I think it’s pretty cool that Willson Contreras will forever be part of “that crazy All-Star Game where they hit all those home runs.” Well, at least until next year when the teams combine for 15. Actually, maybe he’ll hit a couple of those, too.