The 1983 All-Star Game marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Midsummer Classic. The 1983 Midsummer Classic was played on July 6, at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. The first Midsummer Classic, the 1933 All-Star Game was also played in Comiskey Park, and the fiftieth anniversary All-Star Game was played exactly fifty years later and exactly the same place where it all started. The American League Followed one of their worst performances with one of the greatest efforts ever made by either side. The America League really celebrated the 50th Anniversary of All-Star Game. After eleven consecutive losses and three decades of disappointment, the American League took the field with a vengeance and dominated the National League for nine Straight innings.

As hard as it may be to believe, not one grand slam was hit in the first half-century of All-star Game play. A seven-run third inning, all seven charged to Atlee Hammaker, gave the American League a 9-1 lead and that seemed safe even for the junior circuit. The grand slam by Fred Lynn during the third inning off a 2-2 Atlee Hammaker pitch was a record as it was the first and only “grand salami” ever hit in All-Star history. On the 50th anniversary of the Midsummer Classic, in the place where it all started in 1933 Comiskey Park, Fred Lynn ends the drought and brings much awaited victory to the American League. During the third inning the American League set All-Star Game records for hits during a single inning [they had six] and runs scored during a single inning [ they had seven]. The star player of the game Fred Lynn received the Most Valuable Player Award. By 1983, Lynn had four home runs and tens battled in with twenty All-Star at –bats. Only Ted Williams had a higher All-Star RBI count, with twelve in forty-six at bats. The American League stopped an eleven losing streak courtesy of a seven-run outburst in the third. American League won 13-3 against National League.