Top 10 moments in MLB All-Star Game history

Cal Ripken Jr., (R) of the Baltimore Orioles, asked to move to short stop position by American Leaguer Alex Rodriguez (L) during the first inning of the baseball All-Star game 10 July, 2001 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. Ripken is making in final appearance in the All-Star game after nineteen season and played most of them as short stop. AFP PHOTO/John MABANGLO (Photo by JOHN G. MABANGLO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHN G. MABANGLO/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners, who started as the American League’s pitcher, delivers a pitch 08 July during the first inning of the Major League All-Star Baseball game at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OH. Johnson had two scoreless innings. AFP PHOTO/TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) /

8. Randy Johnson vs. Larry Walker, 1997

The All-Star Game returns to Cleveland for the first time since 1997 this year, and the last time it was held there, Seattle Mariners lefty Randy Johnson started for the American League and stole the show. The Big Unit was in the midst of his best full season to date and was about to embark on an epic run of dominance that sent him to the Hall of Fame. Intimidating as hell, Johnson was one of the pitchers opponents least wanted to face.

One of the league’s biggest stars who had no interest in facing Johnson was former Montreal teammate Larry Walker, now playing for the Colorado Rockies. Walker, no slouch himself, was in the middle of a season that saw him hit .366/.452/.720 with 49 home runs and 130 RBI. Still, he had elected to sit out a few weeks ahead of the All-Star Game when the Rockies played the Mariners with Johnson on the mound.

Walker got his chance to face Johnson in the top of the second and the two had a little fun with each other. Johnson buzzed the first pitch of the at-bat over Walker’s head, but not actually close enough to hit him. Walker then stepped into the right-handed batter’s box for a pitch and turned his helmet around for a pitch. He actually drew a walk to end the plate appearance.

Both Johnson and Walker were two of the biggest stars and personalities of the late 1990s, and they gave us one of the sillier moments in an exhibition game that should skew towards the lighter side.

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