Baseball History Comes Alive Now Ranked #2 by Feedspot Among All Internet Baseball History Websites and Blogs!
Guest Submissions from Our Readers Always Welcome!
Subscribe to Baseball History Comes Alive! to receive new posts automatically
“All-Star Game Highlights” Photo Gallery
Click on any image below to see photos in full size and to start Photo Gallery:
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is an event. When the event is a “who’s who” of Hall of Fame talent, it’s a must see event.
Such was the case for the first All-Star Game in 1961. (There were TWO All-Star Games per season from 1959-62.) Clemente, Aaron, Mays, Robinson, Mantle, Maris, Berra, Musial…the list goes on and on.
On an unusually hot July day in the City by the Bay, 44,115 fans crammed into every wooden seat at Candlestick Park to watch their heroes do battle on the diamond.
Three all-time legends would play a pivotal role in the outcome. Roberto Clemente would be appearing in his third mid-summer classic, Hank Aaron his ninth, and hometown hero Willie Mays his tenth.
The National League would take a 3-1 lead into the top of the 9th inning. Manager Danny Murtaugh, of the world champion Pittsburgh Pirates, brought in his own relief ace, Elroy Face to secure the final three outs. As the inning commenced, the notorious winds off San Francisco Bay began to envelop Candlestick Point.
With one out, Detroit slugger Norm Cash doubled to right. Orioles manager Paul Richards inserted White Sox second baseman Nellie Fox to pinch-run for Cash. Tigers legend Al Kaline singled to center, scoring Fox and trimming the deficit to 3-2. With Roger Maris due next, Murtaugh called on the one-and-only Sandy Koufax.
It would be a short appearance. Maris singled to right, moving Kaline up to second. Koufax was promptly replaced by Stu Miller of the Giants. As Miller stepped on the rubber to face Tigers outfielder Rocky Colavito, a gust of wind blew across the field and staggered Miller. In accordance with the rules, home plate umpire Stan Landes called a balk moving Maris and Kaline up to second and third, respectively.
Colavito reached on an error by Cardinals third baseman Ken Boyer, scoring Kaline and tying the game. Miller escaped without any further damage. The American Leaguers would push across an unearned run in the top of the 10th inning – aided by Boyer’s second error in as many innings.
Now nursing a 4-3 lead, it was up to ancient knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm to close out the win for the junior circuit. The task would be daunting.
Aaron pinch-hitting for Miller, lead off with a single to center then moved to second on a passed ball. Mays followed with a double to left scoring Aaron to tie the game. Cincinnati slugger Frank Robinson was hit with a fluttering knuckleball. Up came Clemente. He laced a single to right and Mays raced home from second base with the game-winning run.
With star-studded lineups and arguably the most exciting finish to an All-Star Game, the day’s events were truly a San Francisco treat.
– Alex Cheremeteff
