Dwight Gooden Shines At the 1984 All Star Game

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July 10, 1984: In the 1984 All Star Game, Mets rookie Dwight Gooden became the youngest All Star ever at 19 years of age. He came in to pitch in the 5th inning and struck out the side. He blew away American Leaguers Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon & Alvin Davis. In the previous inning Fernando Valenzuela struck out Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson & George Brett. The two combined for six strikeouts in a row. The 1984 Game marked the 50th anniversary of when NY Giants pitcher Carl Hubbel fanned Hall of Famers, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin all in a row at the Polo Grounds. In honor of the anniversary, the San Francisco Giants & MLB had Carl Hubbel on hand at Candlestick Park to throw out the first pitch.

Gooden pitched two innings, in the sixth he got Loou Whitaker to ground out to him, Eddie Murray doubled, Cal Ripken grounded out & Dave Winfield flew out to left. The National League won the game 3-1. Representing the Mets in the starting lineup was Daryl Strawberry. Also representing the Mets that night were Keith Hernandez & Jesse Orosco. Strawberry went 1-2 with a strikeout, Hernandez was 0-1 and Orosco didn’t see any action.

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