1944 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Encyclopedia
The 1944 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 12th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars
of the American League
(AL) and National League
(NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball
. The game was held on July 11, 1944, at Forbes Field
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates
of the National League. The game resulted in the National League defeating the American League 7-1.
Played during World War II, receipts from the game were distributed to a fund that provided baseball equipment to members of the armed services.
, infielder Bob Elliott
, and outfielder Vince DiMaggio
were selected for the National League squad. Pirates pitchers Max Butcher
and Cookie Cuccurullo
were named the NL's batting practice pitchers and Pirates catcher Spud Davis
was the NL's batting practice catcher. Honus Wagner
was named an honorary coach, the first time this honor was bestowed in Major League Baseball's All-Star Game.
All-star game
An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used...
of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
(AL) and National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
(NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The game was held on July 11, 1944, at Forbes Field
Forbes Field
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise...
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
of the National League. The game resulted in the National League defeating the American League 7-1.
Played during World War II, receipts from the game were distributed to a fund that provided baseball equipment to members of the armed services.
Pirates in the Game
The Pirates hosted the game and were well represented. Pirates pitcher Rip SewellRip Sewell
Truett Banks "Rip" Sewell was a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played 13 years in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, infielder Bob Elliott
Bob Elliott (baseball)
Robert Irving Elliott was an American third baseman and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Braves. He contributed some of the happiest memories to the Braves' final Boston years, winning the 1947 National League Most Valuable...
, and outfielder Vince DiMaggio
Vince DiMaggio
Vincent Paul "Vince" DiMaggio was a Major League Baseball center fielder. During a 10-year baseball career, he played for the Boston Bees , Cincinnati Reds , Pittsburgh Pirates , Philadelphia Phillies , and New York Giants...
were selected for the National League squad. Pirates pitchers Max Butcher
Max Butcher
Albert Maxwell Butcher was an American major league baseball pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates from -.-External links:...
and Cookie Cuccurullo
Cookie Cuccurullo
Arthur Joseph "Cookie" Cuccurullo was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1943 to 1945. The 5'10", 168 lb. left-hander was a native of Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States....
were named the NL's batting practice pitchers and Pirates catcher Spud Davis
Spud Davis
Virgil Lawrence "Spud" Davis was an American professional baseball player, coach, scout and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Pittsburgh Pirates...
was the NL's batting practice catcher. Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
was named an honorary coach, the first time this honor was bestowed in Major League Baseball's All-Star Game.