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. 

All Star Trivia: John Stearns would make four All Star teams in his Mets career (1977/ 1979/ 1980/ 1982). He went 0-1 seeing action in three All Star games but did not play in this 1979 Mid-Summer Classic.

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 named to its squad; the Phil's Bob Boone started in place of the injured Cardinal Ted Simmons & the Expos Gary Carter would play the last four innings. The Red's Johnny Bench was elected but did not attend the game 

Lee Mazzilli came into the All-Star Game batting .320 with nine HRs & 47 RBIs through the first half of the season. This was Mazzilli's first & only All-Star appearance. 

Trivia: Over the game featured 16 future Hall of Famers. President Gerald Ford had a front row seat, the San Diego Chicken, America's most famous mascot made an appearance as did Morganna "the Kissing Bandit".

 Celebrity Danny Kaye who was part of the Mariner's ownership group, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The expansion Mariners were playing in just their third season.

In the top of the 1st inning the A.L starting pitcher, the Angels' Nolan Ryan gave the Dodgers' Steve Garvey a two out walk. 

The Phillies slugger -Mike Schmidt, followed with a triple to center field 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, with one out the Phil's starter Steve Carlton walked the Royals' George Brett. 

Morganna the Kissing Bandit: During this game in a George Brett at bat, the buxom blonde Morganna ran to the plate & kissed George Brett. Morganna became famous for getting onto the playing field & planting kisses on surprised players. From 1969 - 1999 Nolan Ryan, Steve Garvey, Johnny Bench, Cal Ripken Jr. & Pete Rose were some of her many recipients.

The Angels Don Baylor doubled to left scoring Brett with the A.L.'s first run. After retiring he Red Sox Jim Rice, teammate Fred Lynn hit a two run HR giving the A.L. a 3-2 lead.

In the top of the 2nd inning, Bob Boone led off with a base hit. With one out, two of the leagues best base stealers Lou Brock & Davey Lopes both singled loading the bases. 

The Pirates Dave Parker then hit a sac fly scoring Bob Boone to tie up the game at three. 

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

In the bottom of the 3rd, Don Baylor collected his second hit of the game as he singled to left field.
The Astros' pitcher Joaquin Andujar threw a wild pitch then hit the White Sox Chet Lemon with a pitch. The Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski singled into center field scoring Don Baylor with the tying run.

Next the Brewers' Darrel Porter hit a grounder to third & Mike Schmidt's throwing error allowed Chet Lemon to score from second base with the go-ahead run 5-4.

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

In the bottom of the 6th inning, Gaylord Perry came on to pitch & Carl Yastrzemski reached with a single, then his teammate Rick Burleson came in to run for him. 

Then Mariners hometown hero Bruce Bochte came in to pinch hit getting a huge ovation. He reached on a single in the hold at short with Rick Burleson alertly scoring putting the AL ahead once 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 but then got the next three outs. 

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

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. 

The Pirates Dave Parker threw out Brian Downing at the plate with the Expos Gary Carter applying the tag for one of his two assists in the game.

Trivia: Parker would edge out Mazzilli for the game's MVP.

In the top of the 9th inning, with one out Jim Kern was tiring. He walked the Reds' Joe Morgan then balked. He intentionally walked Dave Parker Then got Craig Reynolds to pop up for the second out. 

Kern then walked the Dodgers Ron Cey to load the bases. The A.L. manager Bob Lemon brought in A.L. New York pitcher Ron Guidry to face Lee Mazzilli.

Mazzilli drew the bases loaded walk on five pitches, scoring Joe Morgan from third base putting the NL ahead 7-6 in what would be the All-Star game's winning run.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Cubs Bruce Sutter walked Chet Lemon with two outs, then struck out the Red Sox Rick Burleson to end the game.

It was the National League's eighth straight All Star game victory dating back to 1972.

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