3 best All-Star Game performances in Reds history

Being named to the MLB All-Star team is often enough of an accolade, but a few players step up during the game itself and carve a place in baseball history.

Even though the All-Star Game is a fairly meaningless exhibition nowadays, one stunning play can be the thing that transforms a star player into a legend. The Cincinnati Reds have had no shortage of iconic moments at the Midsummer Classic over the years.

3 best All-Star Game performances in Reds history

Aroldis Chapman, Reds pitcher (2015)

On the mound at his home ballpark in the ninth inning of the 2015 All-Star Game, Aroldis Chapman put the pedal to the metal. The Reds closer brought the heat and struck out the side with 12 of his 14 pitches clocking in at triple-digits. His filthy strikeout of Mike Moustakas evoked grimaces and awe in the AL All-Star dugout.

The appearance could have been bittersweet for the Cuban lefty, who was the center of trade talks as the 2015 deadline approached. He remained in Cincinnati, though, for the remainder of the season and recorded his 500th career strikeout. Chapman was traded to the New York Yankees in the offseason, leaving the Reds with mere memories of his dominance.

Ken Griffey, Reds outfielder (1980)

American League starter Steve Stone needed just 30 pitches to work three perfect innings to start the 1980 All-Star Game. Tommy John continued the perfection in the fourth, but with two outs in the fifth, Ken Griffey snapped the perfecto and the shutout with a single swing. He launched a home run several rows deep into the crowd at Dodger Stadium.

The NL still trailed, 2-1, after Griffey’s homer, but the momentum shifted in the NL’s favor. George Hendrick’s game-tying single had a greater impact on the game (increasing the NL’s chances of winning by 24%), but Griffey’s heroics earned him the All-Star MVP.

Tony Pérez, Reds infielder (1967)

The 1967 All-Star Game in Anaheim, California, was a pitchers’ duel as the likes of Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson, and Catfish Hunter put up zero after zero on the scoreboard. The ninth inning came and went with the score knotted, 1-1, and all three Reds All-Star selections, Pete Rose, Tony Pérez, and Tommy Helms, on the bench.

Finally Pérez replaced Dick Allen in the 10th inning. His first at-bat against Hunter ended in a strikeout, but the Reds infielder got a chance at revenge with one out in the top of the 15th. Pérez connected for a solo home run to give the NL a 2-1 lead. Rookie Tom Seaver closed out the game, and Pérez took home All-Star MVP honors, the first Reds player to do so.

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