The 1981 Midsummer Classic was actually the second All-Star Game played during the month of August. The first took place on august 3, 1959 during the 1959 All-Star Game. The Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio hosted the 1981 Midsummer Classic which played on August 9. The All-Star records were set during the 1981 Midsummer Classic for largest crowd attendance ever, 72,086 fans attended, and most players ever used by both leagues [fifty six]. In 1981, the American League almost got a reprieve because of a players’ strike that ran from June 12 to July 31, with teams resuming play August 10. The original All-Star Game on July 14 was canceled. Instead, the game reset as a prelude to resuming play. Fans were upset about the strike and felt that the game would never recover fully from the labor dispute. Despite the disgruntled fans, this game had the largest crowd ever in attendance. The American League led the majority of the game and held the National League in check as usual. That was until the eighth inning when Rollie Fingers walked Ozzie Smith.

Then with Mike Easler at bat, smith stole second and, when the throw went into center field, Smith took out for third. He was caught in a rundown and tagged out. The American League seemed to be in control, but then Easler walked. In classic National League fashion, Mike Schmidt stepped up to the plate and pounded the ball, hitting the two-run game-winner. The largest crowd in All-Star Game history saw the National League score all of its runs on homers and stretch its winning streak to ten games. Gary Carter slammed two home runs during this game and won the All-Star Most Valuable Player Award. Players before him who had two long balls during the All-Star Game were: Arky Vaughan for National League in 1941 All-Star Game, Ted Williams for American League in 1946 All-Star Game, Al Rosen for American League in 1954 All-Star Game and Willie McCovey for National League in 1969 All-Star Game. A hall of fame ending featured Mike Schmidt hitting a go-ahead eight inning home run off of closer Rollie Fingers. Following the game Schmidt said,” It [the home run] was as good as I ever felt running around the bases. As good as the World Series.” The National League won 5-4.