1953 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Encyclopedia
The 1953 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 20th playing of the mid-summer classic between the All-Stars teams of the American League
(AL) and National League
(NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball
. The game was held on July 14, 1953 at Crosley Field
in Cincinnati, Ohio
, home of the Cincinnati Redlegs
National League team. The team changed its name from Reds to Redlegs during the height of anti-communism in the United States.
had taken the New York Yankees
to four consecutive World Series
titles, but this time turned on his fourth defeat in a row at the helm of the American League team.
Robin Roberts (NL) and Billy Pierce
(AL) found themselves in a pitching duel during three innings of one-hit shutout ball, but they were not a factor in the decision. AL relievers Allie Reynolds
(2), Mike Garcia (1) and Satchel Paige
(2) combined to give up five runs to the NL hitters.
The NL attack was led by Enos Slaughter
, who went 2-for-3 with two runs
and an RBI
, while Pee Wee Reese
hit a single
and a double
and drove in two runs. Minnie Miñoso went 2-for-2 and drove in the only run for the AL team.
NL relievers Warren Spahn
and Curt Simmons
pitched two scoreless innings each and Murry Dickson
allowed the only AL run in two innings of work. Spahn was the winning pitcher and Reynolds the loser, while Dickson earned the save
.
In one of the greatest defensive plays in All-Star Game history, Slaughter ran down a line-drive hit by Harvey Kuenn
, making a diving, tumbling grab on the right field line.
The National League extended their winning-streak to four consecutive games, matching the previous record set by the American League from 1946 to 1949, After the game, the American League leads 12-8.
{| cellpadding="10"
|- align="left" style="vertical-align: top"
|
{| cellpadding="1" width="500px" style="font-size: 90%; border: 1px solid gray;"
|- align="center" style="font-size: larger;"
| colspan=2 | American League
|| ||National League
|- style="background:lightblue;"
| Player || Team || Pos || Player || Team || Pos
|-
| Billy Goodman
|| Boston Red Sox || 2B || Pee Wee Reese
|| Brooklyn Dodgers || SS
|-
| Mickey Vernon
|| Washington Senators || 1B || Red Schoendienst
|| St. Louis Cardinals || 2B
|-
| Hank Bauer
|| New York Yankees || RF || Stan Musial
|| St. Louis Cardinals || LF
|-
| Mickey Mantle
|| New York Yankees || CF || Ted Kluszewski
|| Cincinnati Redlegs || 1B
|-
| Al Rosen
|| Cleveland Indians || 3B || Roy Campanella
|| Brooklyn Dodgers || C ||
|-
| Gus Zernial
|| Philadelphia Athletics || LF || Eddie Mathews
|| Milwaukee Braves || 3B
|-
| Yogi Berra
|| New York Yankees || C || Gus Bell
|| Cincinnati Redlegs || CF
|-
| Chico Carrasquel
|| Chicago White Sox || SS || Enos Slaughter
|| St. Louis Cardinals || RF ||
|-
| Billy Pierce
|| Chicago White Sox || P || Robin Roberts || Philadelphia Phillies || P
|-
|}
|-
! colspan="10" style="background-color: #0d2b56; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;" | 1953 American League All-Star Game roster
|-
| valign="top" | Pitchers * *
Catchers *
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |
Infielders
Outfielders *
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |
Manager
Coaches
|-
|}
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! colspan="10" style="background-color: #A50024; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;" | 1953 National League All-Star Game roster
|-
| valign="top" | Pitchers * * *
Catchers * *
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |
Infielders
Outfielders *
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |
Manager
Coaches
|-
|}
|-
!Position !! Umpire
|-
| Home Plate || Jocko Conlan
|-
| First Base || Johnny Stevens
|-
| Second Base || Augie Donatelli
|-
| Third Base || Bill McKinley
|-
| Left Field || Larry Napp
|-
| Right Field || Bill Engeln
|}
|valign="top"|
{| cellpadding="10"
|- align="left" style="vertical-align: top"
|
|
{| cellpadding="1" width="350px" style="font-size: 90%; border: 1px solid gray;"
|- align="center" style="font-size: larger;"
| colspan=6 | How the runs scored
|- style="background:lightblue;"
| Team || Inning || Play || AL || NL
|- align="center" style="vertical-align: middle;" style="background:lightblue;"
|-
| NL || 5th || Ashburn singled, Mathews scored, Slaughter to second; Reese singled, Slaughter scored, Ashburn to second || 0 || 2
|-
| NL || 7th || Reese doubled, Slaughter scored || 0 || 3
|-
| NL || 8th || Slaughter singled, Campanella scored, Snider to third; Dickson singled, Snider scored || 0 || 5
|-
| AL || 9th || Miñoso singled, Fain scored, Mize to second|| 1 || 5
|-
|}
Play-by-play at Retrosheet
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 14, 1953 at Crosley Field
Crosley Field
Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second and third American Football League...
in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, home of the Cincinnati Redlegs
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
National League team. The team changed its name from Reds to Redlegs during the height of anti-communism in the United States.
Summary
From 1949 through 1952, manager Casey StengelCasey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
had taken the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
to four consecutive World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
titles, but this time turned on his fourth defeat in a row at the helm of the American League team.
Robin Roberts (NL) and Billy Pierce
Billy Pierce
Walter William Pierce is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher between 1952 and 1961, and was named the American League's top pitcher in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953...
(AL) found themselves in a pitching duel during three innings of one-hit shutout ball, but they were not a factor in the decision. AL relievers Allie Reynolds
Allie Reynolds
Allie Pierce Reynolds was a pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
(2), Mike Garcia (1) and Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
(2) combined to give up five runs to the NL hitters.
The NL attack was led by Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
, who went 2-for-3 with two runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
and an RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, while Pee Wee Reese
Pee Wee Reese
Harold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
hit a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
and a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and drove in two runs. Minnie Miñoso went 2-for-2 and drove in the only run for the AL team.
NL relievers Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
and Curt Simmons
Curt Simmons
Curtis Thomas "Curt" Simmons is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1947–50 and 1952-67. With right-hander Robin Roberts, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Simmons was one of the twin anchors of the starting rotation of the "Whiz Kids", the Philadelphia Phillies' ...
pitched two scoreless innings each and Murry Dickson
Murry Dickson
Murry Monroe Dickson was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball during the 1940s and 1950s...
allowed the only AL run in two innings of work. Spahn was the winning pitcher and Reynolds the loser, while Dickson earned the save
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
.
In one of the greatest defensive plays in All-Star Game history, Slaughter ran down a line-drive hit by Harvey Kuenn
Harvey Kuenn
Harvey Edward Kuenn was an American player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. As a shortstop and outfielder, he played with the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies . He batted and threw right-handed...
, making a diving, tumbling grab on the right field line.
The National League extended their winning-streak to four consecutive games, matching the previous record set by the American League from 1946 to 1949, After the game, the American League leads 12-8.
Opening Lineups
{|{| cellpadding="10"
|- align="left" style="vertical-align: top"
|
{| cellpadding="1" width="500px" style="font-size: 90%; border: 1px solid gray;"
|- align="center" style="font-size: larger;"
| colspan=2 | 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...
|| ||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...
|- style="background:lightblue;"
| Player || Team || Pos || Player || Team || Pos
|-
| Billy Goodman
Billy Goodman
William Dale Goodman was an infielder and left-handed batter who played Major League Baseball with the Boston Red Sox , Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox and Houston Colt .45's ....
|| Boston Red Sox || 2B || Pee Wee Reese
Pee Wee Reese
Harold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
|| Brooklyn Dodgers || SS
|-
| Mickey Vernon
Mickey Vernon
James Barton "Mickey" Vernon was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators for the majority of his career, as well as four other teams: the Cleveland Indians , Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates...
|| Washington Senators || 1B || Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
|| St. Louis Cardinals || 2B
|-
| Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
|| New York Yankees || RF || Stan Musial
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
|| St. Louis Cardinals || LF
|-
| Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
|| New York Yankees || CF || Ted Kluszewski
Ted Kluszewski
Theodore Bernard "Big Klu" Kluszewski was a Major League first baseman from 1947 through 1961. He batted and threw left-handed.-Career:...
|| Cincinnati Redlegs || 1B
|-
| Al Rosen
Al Rosen
Albert Leonard Rosen , nicknamed "Al", "Flip", and the "Hebrew Hammer", is a former American professional baseball player who was a third baseman and right-handed slugger in the Major Leagues for ten seasons in tthe 1940s and 1950s.He played his entire 10-year career with the Cleveland Indians in...
|| Cleveland Indians || 3B || Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella , nicknamed "Campy", was an American baseball player, primarily at the position of catcher, in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball...
|| Brooklyn Dodgers || C ||
|-
| Gus Zernial
Gus Zernial
Gus Edward Zernial was a Major League Baseball left-fielder and right-handed batter who played for the Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Athletics , Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
|| Philadelphia Athletics || LF || Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
|| Milwaukee Braves || 3B
|-
| Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
|| New York Yankees || C || Gus Bell
Gus Bell
David Russell "Gus" Bell, Jr. was an American center and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates , Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs , New York Mets and Milwaukee Braves...
|| Cincinnati Redlegs || CF
|-
| Chico Carrasquel
Chico Carrasquel
Alfonso Carrasquel Colón, better known as Chico Carrasquel was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Kansas City Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles...
|| Chicago White Sox || SS || Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
|| St. Louis Cardinals || RF ||
|-
| Billy Pierce
Billy Pierce
Walter William Pierce is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher between 1952 and 1961, and was named the American League's top pitcher in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953...
|| Chicago White Sox || P || Robin Roberts || Philadelphia Phillies || P
|-
|}
Rosters
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"|-
! colspan="10" style="background-color: #0d2b56; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;" | 1953 American League All-Star Game roster
|-
| valign="top" | Pitchers * *
Catchers *
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |
Infielders
Outfielders *
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |
Manager
Coaches
- Did not play
|-
|}
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! colspan="10" style="background-color: #A50024; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;" | 1953 National League All-Star Game roster
|-
| valign="top" | Pitchers * * *
Catchers * *
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |
Infielders
Outfielders *
| width="25px" |
| valign="top" |
Manager
Coaches
- Did not play
|-
|}
Umpires
{|class="wikitable"|-
!Position !! Umpire
|-
| Home Plate || Jocko Conlan
Jocko Conlan
John Bertrand "Jocko" Conlan was an American Hall of Fame umpire who worked in the National League from 1941 to 1965. He previously had a brief career as an outfielder with the Chicago White Sox....
|-
| First Base || Johnny Stevens
Johnny Stevens
John William Stevens was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1948 to 1971...
|-
| Second Base || Augie Donatelli
Augie Donatelli
August Joseph Donatelli was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1950 to 1973. Highly regarded for his ability, he was also known for his inclination to eject players and managers quickly and dramatically.-Biography:Donatelli was born in Heilwood,...
|-
| Third Base || Bill McKinley
Bill McKinley
William Francis McKinley was a professional baseball umpire who worked in the American League from 1946 to 1965. McKinley umpired 2,977 major league games in his 20 year career. He umpired in four World Series and three All-Star Games . -External links:*...
|-
| Left Field || Larry Napp
Larry Napp
Larry Albert Napp, born Larry Albert Napadano , was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1951 to 1974. He officiated in the World Series in 1954, 1956, 1963 and 1969, and in the All-Star Game in 1953, 1957, 1961 and 1968, calling balls and strikes in...
|-
| Right Field || Bill Engeln
Bill Engeln
William Raymond Engeln was a professional baseball umpire who worked in the National League from 1952 to 1956. Engeln was the right field umpire in the 1953 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In his career, he umpired 749 Major League games. Engeln also officated on July 31, 1954 when Joe Adcock...
|}
Line Score
{||valign="top"|
{| cellpadding="10"
|- align="left" style="vertical-align: top"
|
|
{| cellpadding="1" width="350px" style="font-size: 90%; border: 1px solid gray;"
|- align="center" style="font-size: larger;"
| colspan=6 | How the runs scored
|- style="background:lightblue;"
| Team || Inning || Play || AL || NL
|- align="center" style="vertical-align: middle;" style="background:lightblue;"
|-
| NL || 5th || Ashburn singled, Mathews scored, Slaughter to second; Reese singled, Slaughter scored, Ashburn to second || 0 || 2
|-
| NL || 7th || Reese doubled, Slaughter scored || 0 || 3
|-
| NL || 8th || Slaughter singled, Campanella scored, Snider to third; Dickson singled, Snider scored || 0 || 5
|-
| AL || 9th || Miñoso singled, Fain scored, Mize to second|| 1 || 5
|-
|}
Play-by-play at Retrosheet