Cleveland Indians: Top 4 All-Star Game performances of all time
Averil, CF, 1934
If there was an All-Star MVP Award, Earl Averill would’ve been in contention for the hardware.
The Tribe centerfielder didn’t start the game, pinch hitting for pitcher Lefty Gomez in the top of the fourth.
Averill came into a high pressure at-bat with two outs and a runner on first. The American League trailed by four runs at the time, but Averill’s triple helped get the junior circuit rolling.
He ended up being stranded at third, but the AL’s deficit had been cut to 4-2.
If Averill could’ve done an Al Pacino impression, he would’ve said “Oh, I’m just getting warmed up!”
In the fifth inning, AL bats commenced a hit parade that helped tie the score. By the time Averill came up, the score was tied.
He knocked a double, scoring Jimmie Foxx and Al Simmons to give the AL a 6-4 lead. He would later score following a base hit by pitcher Red Ruffing, giving the AL an 8-4 advantage.
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The American League went on to win 9-7, but there’s no way the AL would’ve won this contest had it not been for Averill.