The 76 th Midsummer Classic returned to Detroit in 2005, as a different type of All-Star Game, a celebration of the increasing global popularity of baseball and international superstars who fill more and more big-league rosters every season. On the eve of growth international recognition and internationally flavored All-Star Game, major League Baseball had announced the debut of the world Baseball Classic in which Major Players from each team would participate in 16- tournament in March of 2006. American League had a distinct advantage at the plate with a roster not seen since the days of Hank Aaron, Roberto Clement and Reggie Jackson. The American League went on to win its ninth Midsummer Classic in a row and its third home-field advantage ruling for the World Series. With a 7-5 victory over the National League before 41,617 fans in Comerica Park on Tuesday night, the American League proved its domination in the free world.

Dominican superstar Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles got things started right away with a home run, then got the defense rolling with a Gold Glove-caliber play, and later he walked away with the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. He was the fifth Latin American-born player among the last eight MVP winners. Tejada got the scoring going with an epic solo shot off Atlanta Braves ace John Smoltz, crushing an 0-1 fastball over 436 feet into the left-field seats for his first career All-Star Game home run. Tejada pushed another run across in that inning with an RBI fielder's choice, and Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners kept the pressure on with a two-run single in the fourth against Livan Hernandez. Ultimately, the domination of the American League prevail, they were more likely to produce runs at six of the nine offensive positions. The National still led overall in the contest from their own stretch of dominance from the mid-1960s into the early 1980s. After the game Ichiro said “I think the game is going in the direction of more international players playing in the Major Leagues,” he continued” We ‘re not quite there yet. It's going to get more globalized.”