Today in All-Star Game history: Torii Hunter robs Barry Bonds, Bonds lifts Hunter onto his shoulders
Guess what? It's almost time for the MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard! In preparation, we're taking a look back into All-Star Game history and showcasing some epic and memorable plays from Midsummer Classics of yore. Check back each day from now until June12 for more This Day in All-Star Game History.
Torii Hunter robs Barry Bonds of a home run, Bonds carries Hunter around the outfield on his shoulders
Torii Hunter did a lot of home-run robbing early in his career. You'd rarely go a night without seeing him climbing the old Metrodome walls and pulling baseballs down from the sky. And on July 9, 2002, on the Midsummer Classic stage in Milwaukee, he robbed one of the game's more notable mashers: Barry Lamar Bonds.
Bonds exacted revenge by lifting Mr. Hunter in the air and carrying him around the outfield grass -- possibly attempting to shake the dinger-robbing power out of him. He would also hit one Hunter couldn't reach later in the contest.
The Wizard bids adieu
In 1996 at The Vet, Ozzie Smith took his final All-Star Game at-bat. It was the 41-year-old's 15th Midsummer Classic. Smith worked the count to 2-2 and then grounded out to second. Hey, it's tough to get good wood on the ball when tears are streaming down your face:
Cal does it all in 1991
He won the Derby, he hit a home run in the All-Star Game and he took home the MVP honors. Check out the full story on Ripken's incredible weekend in 1991 right here.
A version of this piece originally ran on July 9, 2015.
