Twenty one total strikeouts, ten by the American League pitchers and eleven by the National League pitchers, occurred during the 1984 Midsummer Classic setting a new All-Star record. Charlie Lea, Fernando Valenzuela, Dwight Golden and Mario Soto combined to restore cosmic order with a National League victory. The Nationals were determined to get back on the winning track after the devastated loss to the American League. Unlike the American League scoring derby that took place the year before, pitching was the talent showcased in this game. The National League scored in the first as Steve Garvey singled and went to second when Reggie Jackson misplayed the ball. Dale Murphy followed with a single to left and Garvey headed for home, bowling over Lance Parrish at the plate for a 1-0 lead. During the fifth inning of the game, Dwight Gooden was leading the League in strikeouts with one-hundred thirty-three; he took care of three American League batters, Lance Parish, Chet Lemon, and Alvin Davis. He was only nineteen years old when he took the mound, the youngest player in All-Star Game history.

George Brett tied the game with a home run in the top of the second, and the National League went ahead again on Gary Carter’s homer in the bottom of the inning. After that, it was all pitching and another National League win. The 1984 Midsummer Classic was played at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, on the July 10. During fifth inning Dwight Gooden replaced Fernando Valenzuela on the mound and became the youngest player at nineteen to ever appear in a midsummer Classic. The game started at 5:45 p.m. which created conditions that Dale Murphy played for National League, described with, “It was like three different games. The first three innings it was cold, but sunny. The next three you had the shadows and it made it almost impossible to hit. The last three it got darker and you could see a little.” The National League won 3-1 against the American League. Gary Carter received the Most Valuable Player Award.