[1][2] This was the first MLB All-Star Game ever played at night, coinciding with prime time in the Eastern United States.

[1][2] For the first time since 1957, Major League Baseball restored the selection of the eight position players on each All-Star team to the fans.

To avoid a repeat of the problem, the 26 million ballots were evenly distributed to 75,000 retail outlets, and 150 minor and major league stadiums.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn also announced a special panel would be in place to review voting to determine if ballot stuffing had occurred.

[2][6] The National League roster included 15 future Hall of Fame players and coaches, denoted in italics, as well as all-time hits leader Pete Rose.

Jim Perry had entered to pitch in relief for the AL, and gave up a single to Bud Harrelson to start the inning.

Willie McCovey, pinch hitting for Gaylord Perry, grounded into a double play, permitting Harrelson to score and cutting the AL lead to 2–1.

[8] In the bottom of the ninth inning, Catfish Hunter entered to pitch in relief for the AL, and promptly gave up a home run to Dick Dietz.

Mel Stottlemyre was sent in to relieve Peterson, as Roberto Clemente was sent to pinch hit for the pitcher, Bob Gibson.

[8] In the bottom of the twelfth, NL batters were facing Clyde Wright, in his second inning of relief pitching for the AL. With two outs, Pete Rose and Billy Grabarkewitz hit back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second bases.

Otis fired the ball to catcher Ray Fosse as Pete Rose ran past third base, heading to home.

[10][11] Twenty-three-year-old Ray Fosse suffered a fractured and separated left shoulder when Pete Rose collided with him on the last play of the game.

In a 1999 San Francisco Chronicle interview, he demonstrated that he still could not lift his left arm, and suffered from arthritis as a result of the injury until his death on 13 October 2021 at age 74.

After Buster Posey suffered a season-ending injury during the 2011 MLB season, Major League Baseball imposed a rule prohibiting the practice in 2014.