Nearly 50 years ago, a crew of All-Stars were supposed to line the field at the old RFK Stadium in Washington on a midsummer night for a game of baseball. Instead, there was only one major player on the grass: rain.
Water pelted the District, transforming the field into a soggy, unplayable, mucky carpet. Streams of rain gushed down the steps into the dugouts, flooding them.
That 1969 MLB All-Star game was eventually played the next day. Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench hit a home run, and San Francisco Giants first baseman Willie McCovey hammered two, handing the National League the year’s crown.
Now, after a lengthy stretch of dry midsummer classics, there’s rain threatening game play again.
Don’t let the blue skies in Maryland fool you: Storm clouds are predicted to gather about 2 p.m. Tuesday, carrying scattered thunderstorms with them.
The rain is expected to taper off around the 8 p.m. first pitch, but there’s still the question of Nationals Park’s condition then, as well as the state of pregame activities. In 1990, the Chicago Cubs handled similar inclement weather by simply postponing the game an hour.
In the meantime, Orioles fans should steel themselves for what could be the last night that shortstop Manny Machado wears an Orioles cap. Other former Orioles in Washington include Seattle Mariners outfielder Nelson Cruz and Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis, who’s making his All-Star Game debut. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader (Old Mill) is also a former Orioles minor leaguer.
Here’s what else you need to know:
How to watch
When: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
Where: Nationals Park, Washington
Pregame coverage: 7 p.m. on Fox Sports 1; 7:30 p.m., Fox (Chs. 45, 5)
Game coverage: 8 p.m., Fox (Chs. 45, 5)
Stream: Fox Sports Go
Broadcasters: John Smoltz (game analyst), Joe Buck (play-by-play), Ken Rosenthal (dugout), Tom Verducci (dugout), David Ortiz (studio analyst), Frank Thomas (studio analyst), Alex Rodriguez (studio analyst) and Kevin Burkhardt (studio host)
Odds (via OddsShark): American League -130, National League +110
Rosters
American League lineup
RF Mookie Betts, Red Sox
2B Jose Altuve, Astros
CF Mike Trout, Angels
DH J.D. Martinez, Red Sox
3B Jose Ramirez, Indians
LF Aaron Judge, Yankees
SS Manny Machado, Orioles
1B Jose Abreu, White Sox
C Salvador Perez, Royals
SP Chris Sale, Red Sox
Manager: A.J. Hinch, Astros
AL reserves
C Yan Gomes, Indians
1B Mitch Moreland, Red Sox
2B Jed Lowrie, Athletics
3B Alex Bregman, Astros
SS Francisco Lindor, Indians
SS Jean Segura, Mariners
OF Michael Brantley, Indians
OF Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers
OF Mitch Haniger, Mariners
OF George Springer, Astros
OF Nelson Cruz, Mariners
AL pitchers
Trevor Bauer, Indians
Jose Berrios, Twins
Gerrit Cole, Astros
Edwin Diaz, Mariners
Joe Jimenez, Tigers
Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox
Charlie Morton, Astros
Luis Severino, Yankees
Blake Treinen, Athletics
National League lineup
2B Javier Baez, Cubs
3B Nolan Arenado, Rockies
DH Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
1B Freddie Freeman, Braves
LF Matt Kemp, Dodgers
CF Bryce Harper, Nationals
RF Nick Markakis, Braves
SS Brandon Crawford, Giants
C Willson Contreras, Cubs
SP Max Scherzer, Nationals
Manager: Dave Roberts, Dodgers
NL reserves
C Yadier Molina, Cardinals
C J.T. Realmuto, Marlins
1B Joey Votto, Reds
1B Jesus Aguilar, Brewers
2B Ozzie Albies, Braves
2B Scooter Gennett, Reds
3B Eugenio Suarez, Reds
SS Trevor Story, Rockies
OF Charlie Blackmon, Rockies
OF Lorenzo Cain, Brewers
OF Christian Yelich, Brewers
NL pitchers
Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks
Jacob deGrom, Mets
Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks
Mike Foltynewicz, Braves
Josh Hader, Brewers
Jeremy Jeffress, Brewers
Brad Hand, Padres
Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
Aaron Nola, Phillies
Ross Stripling, Dodgers
Felipe Vazquez, Pittsburgh