Remembering Mets History (1979) Lee Mazzilli Is the Hitting Hero of the All-Star Game

Tuesday July 16th, 1979: The 1979 MLB All Star Game was held at the Seattle Kingdome, packed with 59,000 fans. The Kingdome was home to the Mariners who were in their third year of play.

The last place New York Mets had two players representing the team; catcher John Stearns & their new young star; Lee Mazzilli. 

John Stearns would make four All Star teams in his Mets career. On the first half of the season Stearns batted .242 with 5 HRs 17 doubles & 35 RBIs. 

The '79 NL All Star team had five talented catchers on its squad; the Phils Bob Boone who started in place of the injured Cardinal Ted Simmons. The Expos Gary Carter would play the last four innings of the game; John Stearns did not play in the game. The Reds Johnny Bench was elected to the team but did not attend the game.

Lee Mazzilli came into the All-Star Game batting .320 with 9 HRs & 47 RBIs through the first half of the season. This was Mazzilli's first & only All-Star appearance. Although he did not win the game's MVP Award, he certainly was one of its top stars.

In the top of the 1st inning facing the Angels, Nolan Ryan, the Dodgers' Steve Garvey drew a two out walk. Phillies Mike Schmidt followed with a triple bringing in Garvey for the first run of the game. The Reds George Foster then doubled down the right field line scoring Schmidt for a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the 1st, the A.L. responded as the Royals George Brett walked & was brought in by the Angels Don Baylor's double to left. With two outs, the Red Sox Fred Lynn hit a two run HR off the Phillies Steve Carlton, giving the A.L. the 3-2 lead.

In the top of the 2nd inning, Bob Boone led off with a single. The Pirates Dave Parker later hit a sac fly scoring Boone & tied up the game. 

In the top of the 3rd, Mike Schmidt doubled & came around to score on the Padres Dave Winfield's grounder to put the NL ahead 4-3.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Don Baylor collected his second hit as he singled to left field.  The Astros Joaquin Andujar's threw a wild pitch then hit the White Sox Chet Lemon with a pitch. Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski brought in Baylor with a base hit then an error at third by Mike Schmidt led to the AL's go ahead fifth run. 

The score remained that way until the 6th inning, the Padres Dave Winfield doubled off Angel's pitcher, Mark Clear. Then the Expos' Gary Carter singled into left field to tie up the game at five. 

But in the bottom of the 6th inning, Carl Yastrzemski singled, then his teammate Rick Burlson came in to run for him. Then Mariners hometown hero; Bruce Botche reached on a single off the Padres Gaylord Perry. Rick Burleson alertly scored putting the AL ahead again 6-5.

In the top of the 7th, the Indians relief ace Jim Kern, gave up a base hit to the Reds' Joe Morgan then retired the next three outs. Kern came on for the 8th inning as well.

In the top of the 8th, N.L. manager Tommy Lasorda; put in Lee Mazzilli to pinch hit for Gary Matthews. 

In his first All Star at bat, Mazzilli hit a long HR down the left field line to tie up the game at six. It was an exciting moment for the New York youngster.

In the bottom of the 8th with the Cubs Bruce Sutter on, the Angels Brian Downing singled to left field. After a walk & sacrifice, Greg Nettles singled to left field. Dave Parker threw out Downing at the plate with Gary Carter applying the tag for one of his two assists in the game. Parker would edge out Mazzilli for the game's MVP.

In the top of the 9th inning, Jim Kern was tiring. as he issued three walks walked to load the bases. The A.L. manager Bob Lemon brought in A.L. New York pitcher Ron Guidry to face Lee Mazzilli.

Guidry walked Mazzilli on five pitches, Joe Morgan scored from third base in what would be the All-Star game's winning run for the NL.

Bruce Sutter then shut the door in the bottom of the 9th as the N.L. won its eighth straight All Star game. 

The Mets Lee Mazzilli was the unlikely hero, going 1-1 with a HR, a walk, two RBIs that were the tying & winning runs. It was his only All Star appearance in his career.