The 1997 midsummer Classic Game was the first one where American League fans were able to select a designated hitter and the Mariners’ own Edgar Martinez took that honor. The American League was still recovering from the previous year’s shutout and was determined to make a comeback in Cleveland. The Midsummer Classic Game was played on July 8, 1997 at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The American League got their wish due to the late-game heroics of Indians catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr., who thrilled his hometown fans with a two-run, game-deciding home run in the seventh inning. The National League hitters managed only three hits off eight American League Pitchers. Both teams traded solo home runs with Seattle’s Edgar Martinez hitting one in the second inning and Atlanta’s Javier Lopez becoming the eleventh player to homer in his first All-Star game at-bat in the seventh. The National League Lineup included future Hall of Fame players Mike Piazza, Larry Walker and Barry Bonds yet they managed to only get three hits off the entire American League pitching staff.

The sellout crowd was treated to a highlight for the ages when Colorado Rockies representative, Larry Walker, Stepped in to face intimidating lefty, Randy Johnson. Walker, who led the majors with a .398 average, backed out of an interlude Game against Johnson earlier in the season, but there was no hiding this time. In a scene reminiscent of his 1993 performance against John Kruk, Johnson threw the first pitch over Walker’s head. In response, Walker laughed, turned his helmet backward moved to the right side of the plate, and took ball two. Walker eventually drew a walk from the Seattle fireballer. Bernie Williams drew a one-out walk from the Giants Shawn Estes, in the bottom of the seventh. One out later, Alomar Became the first All-Star to earn Most Valuable Player Honors in his home ballpark when he blasted an Estes pitch into the left field bleachers. The American League was back and they were only getting started. In the end, it was American League 3, National League 1.