Ted Williams talks with All-Star Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles, left, as All-Century players Juan Marichal, center, and Frank Robinson, right, listen on July 13, 1999 at Fenway Park prior to the start of the All-Star Game.
The 1999 All-Star Game, held at Fenway Park, became iconic for what took place before the game. The baseball world choked up as the 80-year old Ted Williams received a collective hug from baseball’s All-Century team, arguably the greatest cast of legends ever assembled on a field, plus the best active players in the game. The impromptu applause (and tears) would last for 25 minutes before Williams threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Carlton Fisk. Fenway Park may have never heard such prolonged cheering.