Baseball has always been more than just a game. As John S. Bowman and Joel Zoss stated in The Pictorial History of Baseball “As part of the fabric of American culture, baseball is the common social ground between strangers, a world of possibilities and of chance, where ‘it’s never over till it’s over.'”
It is an American tradition rich in legends, folklore and history, a never-ending story where every game is a new nine-inning chapter and every player has the chance to be the hero. Through the years, every franchise has had its share of superstar players that stand out above the rest. They are the ones that bring the fans out to the ballpark and only one game brings them all together at once, The All-Star Game.
The first Major League All-Star Game was played on July 6, 1933 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. It was initiated at the insistence of Arch Ward, a sports editor for the Chicago Tribune, to coincide with the celebration of Chicago’s Century of Progress Exposition. For over seventy-three years, the “Midsummer Classic” has remained a fan favorite showcasing the top talent in baseball.
All-Star teams were originally selected by the managers and the fans for the 1933 and 1934 games. From 1935 through 1946, managers selected the entire team for each league. From 1947 to 1957, fans chose the team’s starters and the manager chose the pitchers and the remaining players. From 1958 through 1969, managers, players, and coaches made the All-Star Team selections. In 1970, the vote again returned to the fans for the selection of the starters for each team and remains there today.
1966 – Joe Morgan becomes the first Astro named to start in an All-Star Game. Unfortunately, Morgan had broken his kneecap three days earlier and is unable to play. He was hitting .319 at the time of his injury. On the field, Houston loses at Pittsburgh, 4-3, but remain a surprising fourth in the National League race.
On July 13, 1965, Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants hits a home run, draws two walks, and scores a pair of runs, leading the National League to a 6-5 win in the All-Star Game. Juan Marichal, Mays’ teammate with the Giants, earns MVP honors by pitching three shutout innings. Traditionally, the managers of…
July 13, 1965 – Willie Stargell, Willie Mays and Joe Torre pose for a photo after their power hitting led the NL to a 6-5 win over the AL in the All-Star game at Metropolitan Stadium. Torre and Stargell both hit 2-run homers and Mays a solo blast in the win. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Sponsor this Page…
On July 7, 1964, the National League defeats the American League, 7-4, on Johnny Callison’s two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Philadelphia Phillies’ right fielder connects against Boston Red Sox relief ace Dick Radatz, ending the game at Shea Stadium… All-Star Game History All-Star Games All-Star Game MVP All-Star…
On July 9, 1963, At Cleveland Stadium, The Indians host their third Mid-Summer Classic in front of a disappointing crowd of 44,160 fans the game does not feature any players from the Tribe. However, the 30th annual All-Star Game is played, Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants steals the show at the All-Star Game….
Homers by Leon Wagner, Pete Runnels and Rocky Colavito power the American League past the National League, 9 – 4, in the second All-Star Game of 1962.
1962 07 10 All Star Game 1 DC
July 11, 1961 – Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron after the 1961 all star game. The game at Candlestick Park featured Stu Miller get blown of the mound.
On July 11, 1961, San Francisco Giants pitcher Stu Miller is literally blown off the mound during the All-Star Game at Candlestick Park. In the ninth inning, high winds cause the 165-pound Miller to lose his balance. Umpires call a balk, allowing the runners, Al Kaline and roger Maris into scoring position. The AL will…
Vern Law becomes the second Pirate to win a 1960 All-Star Game, working two scoreless innings. Stan Musial comes off the National League bench and hits his record 6th and last All-Star Game home run. Willie Mays, Ken Boyer and Eddie Mathews also homer in the 6 – 0 NL win, the third shutout in All-Star Game history.
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