That Sixties All-Star vibe

There was something familiar about last night’s game to those who grew up watching the low-scoring All-Star affairs of the 1960s. But even those who were too young for that should have been tugged by the meat hook of nostalgia, as three of the most pathetic offensive All-Star showings (or dominant pitching displays, if you prefer) took place in the late ‘80s.

While everyone points to the 1968 game (an Astrodome-bedecked ticket for which is our item today) as the nadir of All-Star Game hitting because of its 1-0 score, the games of 1966, 1967 and the second game of 1961 were no trip to the batting cages, either. Nor were the games of 1987, 1988 and 1990.

Here are the lowest combined OPS All-Star Games. If Carlos Gomez had come up with Prince Fielder’s triple last night - or even played it on a hop and held him to a single - the 2013 game would make the sub-.500 list, but still would not have gotten down as low as these games:

.413 - 1968; 1-0 Nationals

.417 - 1987 (13 innings); 2-0 Nationals

.421 - 1966 (10 innings); 2-1 Nationals

.421 - 1990; 2-0 Americans

.427 - 1961, game 2; 1-1 tie

.437 - 1988; 2-1 Americans

.466 - 1967 (15 innings); 2-1 Nationals