When we think of the title All-Star, we immediately associate it with “ the best of the best “ within their respective profession, most commonly professional sports. Every year in baseball we reach a point halfway through the season in which the best players from the American and National Leagues send out their best players to face off for home field advantage in The World Series.
On July 10, 1934 at The Polo Grounds of Upper Manhattan, New York City and home of the New York Giants, would be the stage for that years All-Star game as well as one of the most amazing pitching performances in baseball history. Carl Hubbell was the starting pitcher that year for the National League franchise The New York Giants. Known for his deadly screwball, Hubbell would be the first pitcher in baseball history to strikeout five batters in a row during an All-Star game. A feat that would only be tied fifty two years later by Dodger ace Fernando Valenzuela, who ironically enough threw the screwball pitch as well.
What sets Hubbell’s game from Valenzuela’s is that the five players that Hubbell struck out were Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin…..all future Hall of Famers. When asked about his performance in that game Hubbell said, “ As far as control and stuff like that, I never had any more in my life than for that All-Star game in 1934 “….. I think we can all agree on that. Hubbell career would end in 1943 with nine All-star selections, a World Series championship, a two time NL MVP, and would later have his number retired in AT&T Park, and of course be elected into The Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947.