The First Major League All-Star Game

With the 83rd MLB All-Star game tonight, I wanted to do some research about the first epic All-Star game which was played on July 6th, 1933 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. During this time the Worlds Fair was in Chicago and a man named Arch Ward, who was a sports editor for the Chicago tribune at the time, had an idea to bring the best baseball players together for a show down during the Worlds Fair. The All-Star game was intended for a one time only event, but was so successful it has been played around early July ever since. Baseball was already established as the favorite sport in the nation, and bringing the best players together for one game was a major buzz, it was called “The Game of the Century.” Retired manager of the Giants John McGraw was chosen to represent the National League. Athletics manager Connie Mack, was selected to lead the American League. Attendance during the first All-Star game was 47,595-49,000 excited fans that came to watch their favorite players.

The selection process of All-Stars to has changed many times throughout the years. In 1933 and 1934 the selection was decided by both fans and managers. In 1935-1946 things changed and managers selected the whole team for the entire All-Star game. In 1947-1957, fans were able to choose the team starters and the managers selected the pitchers and remaining players. The next change came in 1958-1969. The selection process was all done in-house, All -Stars were chosen by the managers, players and coaches. Finally in 1970 the vote went back to the fans for the selection of the starters, and we are stilling doing that today.

1933 All Stars (The First) roster is from Wikipedia.

1933 First All-Star Game scoring summary.

NL pitcher Bill Hallahan walked Dykes and Croinin, two batters later Lefty Gomez the pitcher (who was hitting) drove in Dykes. Scoring the first All Star run in the second inning of play. In the bottom of the third Charlie Gehringer was walked, up to bat next was the great Babe Ruth, who then hit a soaring home run to put the American league up 3-0. After the Babe hit his home run, Hallahan walked Lou Gehrig and was pulled from the game. Manager McGraw of the Nationals brought in Lon Warneke for relief. In the top of the sixth Warneke was up to bat and hit a one out triple and scored on a Pepper Martin infield ground out, 3-1 Americans. The following at bat Frankie Frisch homered to make the game 3-2. In the Bottom of the sixth there was some small ball being played. Cronin led off with a single, he then advanced to second on a bunt. Cronin then scored when Earl Averill hit a single to further the lead  to 4-2. In the top of the eighth the Nationals had a chance to come back but The Babe robbed a home run from Chick Hafey. The final score was 4-2 with the American League taking the title.

Do you recognize any of these famous players? They must be inspecting their Annex Bats 🙂

All-Star Fun Facts

* Tony LaRussa manager of St. Louis who retired last year (2011) after winning the World Series is the second retired coach ever to manage a All-star Game (July 2012).

* During 1959-1962 there was 2 All-Star Games played each year. They did this to raise money for players pensions and other funding. In 1962 they changed it back to one game because having two games brought down the importance of the Mid-Summer Celebration.

* Since the first All-Star game in 1933 the American League players have worn there respective team uniforms. The National League wore special uniforms saying “National League” on the jerseys. Year two, they followed the American league and wore there respective team jerseys as well.

* Most Valuable Player Award first (MVP) was handed out for the first time in 1962. It was originally called the “Arch Award”, after the man who came up with the All-Star Game. It was than changed to the “Commissioner’s Trophy”. In 1985 it was changed back so that the World Series Trophy could take the name of the “Commissioner’s Trophy”. In 2002 it was renamed “The Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award”, in honor of Ted Williams who died that year.

* Gary Sheffield and Moises Alou have represented the most teams over their careers during All Star Games. The teams for Sheffield include: the San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees. For Alou, his teams include: the Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.

* 82 All-Star games have been played, with the National League winning 42, the American League winning 38, and 2 ties.

* Since 1985 the Home Run Derby has been a part of the All-Star game. Only two players have won two or more Home Run derby’s. Ken Griffey Jr. and Prince Fielder.

* The longest All-Star game by innings, occurred in 1967 at Anaheim Stadium and lasted 15 innings.

* Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Stan Musial are all tied with the most All-Star appearances. 24 a piece! That is a lot!

* Bryce Harper at 19 years old has been elected to the All-Star game 2012, due to injury by Giancario Stanton. Harper is the youngest position player to ever be elected to play in the All-Star game. Third youngest all time behind Dwight Gooden (’84 AS) and Bob Fellar (’38 AS).

All Time All-Star Hitting Records. From http://www.baseball-almanac.com/

Who is your vote for this years All-Star game and why? I like the hype around Bryce Harper, I know he is in the media a lot, but he is definitely a young exciting player to watch and I look forward to what he can bring to the game.We wish you luck on rooting for your favorite team and players! Have a fun month and watch the 2012 All-Star Game!

– Matt Ingle