July 11 1939 All Star Game at Yankee Stadium

History of the MLB All-Star game – 1939

American League 3,

National League 1

American League manager Joe McCarthy took no chances — he started six of his Yankees and let his “position” starters go the distance in Yankee Stadium.

He started Red Ruffing for three innings, then brought in Tommy Bridges and closed out with 20-year-old Bob Feller. “I faced Tommy Bridges in that game,” said Frank McCormick, “and I said to myself, ‘That’s the greatest curveball I’ve ever seen.’ A few innings later, I face Feller and I said to myself, ‘No, THAT’S the greatest curveball I’ve ever seen.”

Feller gave up one hit in his 3 2/3 innings. Years later, he was asked if facing the cream of the NL in his first All-Star Game at 20 made him nervous.

“I was never nervous on a pitching mound.”