2004 AAA All-Star Game

The 2004 AAA All-Star Game was played on July 14, 2004 in Pawtucket, RI. The event was hosted by the Pawtucket Red Sox, the AAA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

The International League served as the home team. The IL All-Stars were managed by Buddy Bailey of the Pawtucket Red Sox. His assistants were Rick Burleson of the Louisville Bats and Mike Griffin also of the Pawtucket Red Sox. The Pacific Coast League team was managed by Mike Brumley of the Salt Lake Stingers. Chris Maloney of the New Orleans Zephyrs and Pat Listach of the Iowa Cubs served as his coaches. The game was broadcast on ESPN2 with Sean McDonough, Buck Martinez and Kyle Peterson calling the game.

In one of the most exciting games in the history of the AAA All-Star Game the International League prevailed in extra innings. Strong pitching performances marked the early innings. The PCL scored 2 in the top of the first but were then held to just one hit from the third to until the eighth inning. IL hitters were faring no better scoring 2 runs in the fourth on a single by Justin Morneau and a home run by Joe Vitiello, the only two hit’s the team would get through the fist six frames. In the eighth inning Midre Cummings hit a solo homer to give the IL a 3-2 lead going into the ninth. But the PCL would strike back with as a bases loaded passed ball allowed Calvin Pickering to score and tie the game. After the IL failed to score in the bottom of the ninth, the game went to extras for the first time in the history of the AAA All-Star Game. After holding down the PCL in the top of the tenth where Andy Phillips sent the IL fans home happy with a walk off home run. Matt Whiteside of the Richmond Braves got the win while the loss was given to Scott Atchison of the Tacoma Rainiers.

The Stars of Stars Awards were given to the game MVP from each team. The International League award went to Midre Cummings of the Durham Bulls who went 1-4 with 1 RBI on his game tying home run, as well as making a fantastic play in field robbing a home run from Erick Almonte. Danny Haren of the Memphis Redbirds won the award for the PCL for throwing two perfect innings to start the game. Phillips was awarded the Dodge Most Valuable Player award as the overall MVP.

The game featured a number of future big leaguers including future MVP Justin Morneau, Danny Haren, Clint Barmes, Ryan Church, Jhonny Peralta, Jorge Cantu and Corey Hart.

Starting Lineups

International League				Batting Order		Pacific Coast League
Player	Position	Team				Player	Position	Team
Midre Cummings	CF	Durham Bulls		1		Trent Hubbard	CF	Iowa Cubs
Jhonny Peralta	SS	Buffalo Bisons		2		Clint Barmes	SS	Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Justin Morneau	1B	Rochester Red Wings		3		Joe Dillon	3B	Albuquerque Isotopes
Joe Vitiello	DH	Toledo Mud Hens		4		Larry Sutton	1B	Albuquerque Isotopes
Ernie Young	RF	Buffalo Bisons		5		Calvin Pickering	DH	Omaha Royals
Lou Collier	LF	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons		6		John Gall	LF	Memphis Redbirds
Earl Snyder	3B	Pawtucket Red Sox		7		Ryan Church	RF	Edmonton Trappers
Andy Dominique	C	Pawtucket Red Sox		8		Adam Morrissey	2B	Sacramento River Cats
Bry Nelson	2B	Charlotte Knights		9		Craig Ansam	C	Tucson Sidewinders
Ben Hendrickson	P	Indianapolis Indians		SP		Dan Haren	P	Memphis Redbirds

Box Score

Sources

AAA Baseball