1996 MLB All Star Game Philadelphia Die Cut FULL-Ticket (PSA) Excellent 5 / Mike Piazza MVP!

The game was held on July 9, 1996, at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. This marked the 15th and final all star game appearance of Ozzie Smith, who retired after the 1996 season. Smith entered the game in the top of the sixth inning. His first at-bat was greeted by chants of "Oz-zie, Oz-zie" from the Philadelphia crowd. Iron Man Cal Ripken, Jr., who was in the midst of his record-breaking run of consecutive games played, broke his nose during the pre-game AL team picture.[1] However, he was ready to go at game time and started at SS.

Starting in place of Smith at short was perennial Cincinnati Reds honoree Barry Larkin who was joined in the starting lineup by Colorado Rockies Dante Bichette (RF), Houston Astros Craig Biggio (2B), San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds (LF), New York Mets Lance Johnson (CF), Los Angeles Dodgers Mike Piazza (C) and Atlanta Braves Chipper Jones (3B), Fred McGriff (1B) and starting pitcher John Smoltz. 14-time All-Star Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken, Jr. (SS) and 12-time All-Star New York Yankees Wade Boggs led the American League starting lineup with Cleveland Indians Kenny Lofton (RF), Albert Belle (LF) and Charles Nagy on the hill, Seattle Mariners Ken Griffey, Jr. (CF), Baltimore’s Roberto Alomar (2B), Chicago White Sox Frank Thomas (1B) and Texas Rangers Ivan Rodriguez. Unfortunately for the AL, this was no contest from the get go as the National League pitchers only allowed seven hits through the contest. In the bottom of the first, Lance Johnson scored on an RBI groundout from Barry Bonds. Mike Piazza then hit a leadoff home run in the second and was quickly followed by an RBI single from Montreal Expos Henry Rodriguez. In the bottom of the third, Piazza struck again with an RBI double that scored Barry Larkin from third to give the NL a 4-0 lead. Meanwhile, Smoltz, Florida Marlins Kevin Brown, Atlanta’s Tom Glavine, Philadelphia’s Ricky Bottalico, Montreal’s Pedro Martinez, Chicago Cubs Steve Trachsel, Los Angeles’ Todd Worrell, Atlanta’s Mark Wohlers and Florida’s Al Leiter scattered seven hits and did not allow a single walk. The American League pitching matched the NL hurlers by not allowing a single walk making this the only All-Star Game that a bases on balls was not awarded. In the bottom of the sixth, San Diego Padres’ Ken Caminiti hit a leadoff home run and his former Astros teammate Craig Biggio drove in Dante Bichette from third to make it 6-0, where the game would end. The National League now had a three-game win streak and after going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, Mike Piazza was named the 1996 MLB All-Star Game MVP.