1997 AAA All-Star Game

The 1997 AAA All-Star Game was held on July 9, 1997 in Des Moines, IA. The game was hosted by the Iowa Cubs at Sec Taylor Stadium. This would be the final AL Affiliates vs NL Affiliates game, as the Minor League Reorganization of 1998 would change the structure of the AAA leagues.

The home team would be the NL. They would be managed by Tim Johnson of the hometown Iowa Cubs. His assistants would be Ron Wotus of the Phoenix Firebirds and Bill Fischer of the Richmond Braves. The AL squad would be led by Gary Jones of the Edmonton Trappers. Marv Foley of the Rochester Red Wings and Mike Jirschele of the Omaha Royals would be the assistants. ESPN2 once again broadcasted the game with Dave Ryan and Jim Rooker calling the game.

The got on the board early as second inning home runs by Danny Clyburn and Frank Catalanotto put the AL up 3-0. The NL would score one in the 3rd to make it 3-1 but stuck back with an unearned run in the 5th and a run in the 6th to go up 5-1. The NL would take advantage of their opponents 4 errors to score two unearned runs in the late innings. Despite the sloppy defense the AL would hold on to win 5-3. Brian Rose picked up the win, Dave Swartzbaugh took the loss and Eddie Gaillard got the save.

The Star of Stars awards were handed out to one player from each of the three leagues. The Pacific Coast League award went to Nate Minchey of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox for his two innings of one hit and three strikeout relief. Magglio Ordonez of the Nashville Sounds won the award for the American Association going 1-2 with a RBI and a run scored. The International League award went to Frank Catalanotto of the Toledo Mud Hens who went 2-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI.

In addition to Ordonez and Catalanotto other significant big leaguers in the game were Craig Counsell, Paul Konerko, Todd Helton, Aaron Boone, Randall Simon, Richie Sexson and Eli Marrero.

Starting Lineups

American League				Batting Order		National League
Player	Position	Team				Player	Position	Team
Hanley Frias	SS	Oklahoma City 89ers		1		Eric Owens	2B	Indianapolis Indians
Jason Wood	3B	Edmonton Trappers		2		Tony Barron	LF	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
Ivan Cruz	1B	Columbus Clippers		3		Robin Jennings	CF	Iowa Cubs
Bubba Smith	DH	Oklahoma City 89ers		4		Paul Konerko	3B	Albuquerque Dukes
Danny Clyburn	LF	Rochester Red Wings		5		Todd Helton	1B	Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Alan Zinter	C	Tacoma Rainiers		6		Russ Morman	DH	Charlotte Knights
Yamil Benitez	RF	Omaha Royals		7		Jacob Cruz	RF	Phoenix Firebirds
Magglio Ordonez	CF	Nashville Sounds		8		Eli Marrero	C	Louisville Redbirds
Frank Catalanotto	2B	Toledo Mud Hens		9		Dave Berg	SS	Charlotte Knights
Brian Rose	P	Pawtucket Red Sox		SP		Dave Swartzbaugh	P	Iowa Cubs

Box Score

Sources

AAA Baseball