​I say this every year but, well, this is another year, so here it is again: I’m a big “All Star Festivities” guy. Going to the late-90s, I haven’t missed a HR Derby or AS contest. So, a bonus edition of Zach’s Decades History Corner (TM) this morning looking back at the 2006 & 2016 events:Following a resurgent June, the Twins sent Joe Mauer, Johan Santana, & Francisco Liriano to Yinzer Country. After Ryan Howard slugged his way to a HR Derby crown, the All-Star contest commenced with Ozzie Guillen (blech) coaching the AL and Phil Garner skippering the NL (with Gary Gaetti as his bench coach!).AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Junior Circuit took an early T2 lead when Vlad Guerrero Jr’s papa homered off Brad Penny.But David Wright fought back for the Senior Circuit in B2 with a bomb of his own off Kenny “The Gambler” Rogers, and then Carlos Beltran scampered home for the lead in B3 courtesy of a Roy “Doc” Halladay wild pitch.But just when it looked like the NL might break a streak of nine consecutive AL victories, Paul Konerko singled off Trevor Hoffman in T9. This was immediately followed by a Troy Glaus ground-rule double and a Michael Young triple–4-2 AL!This brought Mariano Rivera into the contest, and you know what that means. Ten straight AL triumphs and home field advantage secured for the Fall Classic.How did the MN reps fare? Mauer was 0-2 with a K, Liriano DNP, & Santana went 1 IP with 0 ER, 1 BB, & 1K.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTen years ago, the Midsummer Classic “counted” (World Series home field advantage) for the final time with Ned Yost and Terry “You’ve Got To Give Us A Shot” Collins’ squads clashing after Giancarlo Stanton brutalized some baseballs the night before.In the top of the first inning, some Kris (Bryant) on Chris (Sale) crime gave the NL a 1-0 lead.It didn’t last long: in B2, both Eric Hosmer & Salvador Perez layered longballs off Johnny Cueto. 3-1 AL.Yost’s crew would add on in B3 when Hosmer again provided an RBI–this time with a base knock off Jose Fernandez (RIP). 4-1 AL.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn T4, a Marcell Ozuna single off Aaron Sanchez brought home Buster Posey to pull the NL within two runs–4-2–and it looked to be a rip-roaring affair in SoCal.It wasn’t. Not only would the AL not add anything further on the scoreboard, but their pitching parade of Jose Quintana, Kelvin Herrera, Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, Will Harris, & Zack Britton would similarly shut out NL batsmen for a 4-2 final score.The only MN representative–what happens in the aftermath of Total System Failure–was Eduardo Nunez, who entered late as a defensive substation and did not come to the dish.Of note: Soon-to-be Twin Fernando(ooooooooooooo) Rodney would hurl 0.2 IP of scoreless ball for the NL.Enjoy the star-studded festivities tonight in Philadelphia! You know I’ll be glued to it.