1989 AAA All-Star Game

The 1989 AAA All-Star Game was the second AAA All-Star Game. The game took place on July 12, 1989 at Cooper Stadium in Columbus, OH, the home park of the Columbus Clippers. The game would once again feature the top stars from AL affiliates going against NL affiliates, with no regard to their AAA league whether it be the International League, Pacific Coast League or American Association.

The American League squad, who would be the home team due to the Clippers being a New York Yankees affiliate, would be managed by Columbus manager Bucky Dent. His assistants were Tom Kotchman of the Edmonton Trappers and Sal Rende of the Omaha Royals. The visiting National League team was lead by Iowa Cubs manager Pete Mackanin. Steve Smith of the Las Vegas Stars and Jim Beauchamp of the Richmond Braves were his assistants. The game was aired on ESPN with Ron Franklin, Ken Singleton and Joe Buck calling the game.

The game was started for the AL by Vancouver Canadians star Tom Drees who had already pitched two no-hitters in that season; the NL countered with Ramon Martinez of the Albuquerque Dukes. Drees, on a hot streak, pitched three innings of no-hit ball, but allowed one unearned run. Martinez also allowed one run in three innings, though he gave up a few hits along the way. After scoring a run in the fourth off of Mike Trujillo, the NL exploded for a five-run fifth to take a 7-1 lead after four and a half. The AL would get two runs back in the 7th, but it was too little too late. After adding an insurance run in the top of the 9th, the NL secured an 8-3 victory. Martinez was awarded the win and Trujillo the loss. The game saw three home runs as Sandy Alomar, Jr, Scott Coolbaugh and Brian Dorsett all went yard.

For the first time the game's Stars of Stars award was split by league. Three awards were given out, one for each of the three AAA leagues. Tom Drees won the award for the PCL for his three innings of no-hit ball, Scott Coolbaugh won the award for the AA for hitting a solo home run in his only at-bat, and Mark Lemke won the IL's award going 2-3 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Lemke also won the unofficial MVP voted on by the ESPN viewers.

Future stars who appeared in the game included not only the previously mentioned Alomar, Martinez and Lemke but also appearing for the NL squad was Jay Bell, Joey Cora, Todd Zeile, Mark Gardner and Kent Mercker. Lance Johnson, Hal Morris, Greg Vaughn and Glenallen Hill all appeared for the AL.

Box Score

Starting Lineups

National League				Batting Order		American League
Player	Position	Team				Player	Position	Team
Jeff Huson	SS	Indianapolis Indians		1		Lance Johnson	CF	Vancouver Canadians
Junior Noboa	DH	Indianapolis Indians		2		Hal Morris	1B	Columbus Clippers
Mark Lemke	2B	Richmond Braves		3		Greg Vaughn	LF	Denver Zephyrs
Todd Zeile	C	Louisville Redbirds		4		Jim Wilson	DH	Calgary Cannons
Tom O'Malley	3B	Tidewater Tides		5		Kevin Maas	RF	Columbus Clippers
Scotti Madison	1B	Nashville Sounds		6		Francisco Cabrera	C	Syracuse Chiefs
Jerald Clark	LF	Las Vegas Stars		7		Scott Coolbaugh	3B	Oklahoma City 89ers
Keith Miller	CF	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons		8		Randy Velarde	SS	Columbus Clippers
Mike Huff	CF	Albuquerque Dukes		9		Billy Bates	2B	Denver Zephyrs
Ramon Martinez	P	Albuquerque Dukes		SP		Tom Drees	P	Vancouver Canadians

Sources

AAA Baseball