Vintage San Diego: The MLB All-Stars Game in 1992

This month, San Diego will host the 87th MLB All-Star Game at Petco Park. The annual summertime contest pits the best players from the American and National leagues against each other, with the rosters voted on by the fans. The last time the city hosted the event was on July 14, 1992. Three San Diego Padres were on the National League’s starting lineup: Fred McGriff, Benito Santiago, and the late Tony Gywnn—third from left, above—in between Ozzie Smith and Barry Bonds. (It’s hard to miss that signature Tony smile.)

The photo shows a packed house at what was then Jack Murphy Stadium. The venue officially changed its name to Qualcomm Stadium in 1997. Note the Marlboro cigarettes ad to the left of the Jumbotron, a rare sight these days given the current controversies surrounding tobacco and its usage in Major League Baseball. Also noteworthy is the camera operator, with a long cord trailing behind him across the field. Cameras have since gone wireless, making it a solo job; assistants are no longer needed to wrangle the cords.

As far as the actual game goes, the American League crushed the National League in a 13-6 victory. Ouch! The AL came out swinging, scoring four runs in the top of the first. Ken Griffey Jr., who went 3-for-3 with one homer, was voted MVP. Wilson Phillips performed the national anthem, and former Boston Red Sox left fielder Ted Williams threw out the first pitch.

Prior to the 1992 event, the only other time San Diego had hosted the All-Star Game was back in 1978. The National League, led by manager Tommy Lasorda, took the win that year, with a 7-3 victory. For a breakdown of this year’s game and events, click here. Play ball!

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By the Numbers:

59,372 – Attendance at the 1992 game

8 – All-Star games Tony Gwynn played in

31 – Total hits in the 1992 contest

2,699,773 – Fan votes for 1992’s top vote-getter, Cal Ripken Jr.

2:55 – Length of game

85° – The temp that day, a sunny SD summer afternoon