​BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1985: Don Aase, #41, of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch during a Major League Baseball game circa 1985 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Aase played for the Orioles from 1985 to 1988. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images. As we approach the All-Star Break, we continue our 40-year anniversary coverage of the 57th Summer Installment of the game, held at the iconic Houston Astrodome on July 15, 1986, in front of a full house of 45,774 spectators. Don Aase came on for the American League and earned the save that night. He speaks with The Crawfish Boxes in an exclusive interview.
Q: I went back and watched this game in its entirety, and it seems Willie Hernandez thought he was entering to close out the game when Dick Howser made the move. What happened there exactly?
A: It was a funny moment. Willie started to run in, then suddenly stopped in his tracks. It was a bit of a mix-up, unusual indeed, but I went in and got the job done.
Q: You earned the save in your only All-Star appearance. What did that night at the Astrodome mean to you personally?
A: It was something you can only dream about. I couldn’t believe I secured a save in that situation. I’m not sure anything could ever top that feeling—it was a highlight of my career.
Q: What did you think of Roger Clemens that night, especially given it was his home crowd and his first ASG?
A: He had it going, no doubt. All the pitching was outstanding. I remember Fernando doing his thing too. It was a great event to watch, and it built to an exciting finish.
Q: You were on fire to get there, posting 23 saves in the first half of the 1986 season, even though the Orioles weren’t a legitimate contender that year. What stands out most from that season?
A: We were in a lot of close games early, and I was closing them almost daily. We tailed off later because I hurt my back and missed a few weeks. I still think about what the team could have achieved that year.
Q: What are your thoughts on closers today?
A: It’s amazing how big and strong today’s pitchers are. I’ll admit I spend a lot of time watching my grandkids, but it’s impressive how hard everyone throws now—arguably at least 10 mph faster than back in my day.