10 best MLB All-Star Game moments of all-time

3. Cal Ripken’s Last One

Just one year before the infamous tie to end all ties, the 2001 All-Star Game had some special moments of its own.

The game was the final All-Star appearance for both Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr., but Ripken stole the show on the national stage.

Alex Rodriguez surprised Ripken by switching from shortstop to third base, allowing Ripken to make his 15th appearance as a shortstop in his 19th consecutive All-Star Game appearance. There was not one All-Star Game from 1983 from 2001 that he did not appear in, which is an amazing feat given the size of the league in modern times.

While the position switch was memorable, Ripken’s home run in the third inning made the Seattle crowd go wild and cemented Ripken’s place in All-Star Game lore. He went on to win the game’s MVP award in his final season, capping a career with over 3,000 hits and 431 home runs.

In an era marred by steroids, Ripken remained one of the best players of his time, appearing in an MLB record 2,632 consecutive games and never drawing questions to his own integrity.

He was the prototypical model for what teams look for in a star player to build around, and his 2001 All-Star Game performance was a great final moment for one of the game’s best.

Next: 2. Breaking the color barrier