The 2004 All-Star Game is seen by thirty million people in the United States and in excess of one-hundred million people in the United States, and in excess of one-hundred million people around the world. The 2004 Midsummer Classic game was viewed in two hundred twenty countries and translated into at least twelve different languages. Those numbers were quoted from Major League Baseball Executive Vice President of Business Tim Brosnan in an official Press Release put out by Major League Baseball on April 21, 2004. The midsummer Classic was played on July 13, 2004 at Minute Ballpark in Houston, Texas. In the opening ceremonies, American icon Muhammad Ali helped toss out a ceremonial first-pitch and Hall of Fame great Nolan Ryan “coached” one lucky fan to a million dollars in a Taco Bell sponsored pitching contest. Roger Clemens dominated the headlines and his hometown crowd of Houston Astros fans was more than anxious to witness their Favorite son make history. At forty one, Clemens had become the oldest pitcher ever to start an All-Star Game and had recently completed a phenomenal first-half of the season.

Almost immediately after taking the mound, Clemens ran into trouble. Speed, control and consensus on pitches with his catcher were obviously lacking and before they knew it, the National League was down 6-0. In the fourth inning the Nationals Managed to score three runs off of Cleveland’s C.C. Sabathia. First Jeff Kent Knocked a two-out single, followed by a base hit by Carlos Beltran. Edgar Renteria sent Kent home with a ground-rule double down the left-field line, and two more runs scored on a double by Albert Pujols. Fans in attendance were treated to a real pitcher’s duel put on by two of the games greatest, Eric Gagney, who had recently set an all-time record for most consecutive saves [ 84] completed the Nationals effort and Mariano Rivera, the most successful post-season closer in history, ended the game. Alfonso Soriano received the Most Valuable Player award. The American League walked away with a 9-4 victory and their second consecutive home field advantage going into the 2004 World Series.