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1962 Major League Baseball All-Star Game (first game)
Encyclopedia
The first 1962 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 32nd playing of Major League Baseball's annual midsummer exhibition game between the American League
and National League
. President John F. Kennedy
was the second president to attend the event and threw out the first pitch. A highlight of the game was the first presentation of the Arch Ward Trophy
. It was first presented in 1962 as a tribute to the man who helped found the All-Star Game
in 1933. That first presentation went to Leon Wagner of the Los Angeles Angels (second game MVP) and to Maury Wills of the Los Angeles Dodgers (first game MVP), because two Midsummer Classics were played.
The spotlight on this game belonged to Maury Wills
. Entering the lineup in the sixth inning to pinch-run for Stan Musial, he stole second then scored the first run of the game off a Dick Groat single. In the eighth inning, Wills reached base by a single. He rounded second on a short single hit by Jim Davenport to left field. Wills reached third base safely and scored on a foul to right field moments later. This performance earned him the first All-Star Most Valuable Player Award. Roberto Clemente was a key contributor with three hits in the game.
and Jim Vernon, while Fred Hutchinson’s staff included Casey Stengel
and Johnny Keane
.
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...
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...
. President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
was the second president to attend the event and threw out the first pitch. A highlight of the game was the first presentation of the Arch Ward Trophy
Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVP Award
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award given to the most outstanding player in each year's MLB All-Star Game. Awarded each season since , it was originally called the "Arch Ward Memorial Award" in honor of Arch Ward, the man who...
. It was first presented in 1962 as a tribute to the man who helped found the All-Star Game
Arch Ward
Arch Ward was the sports editor for the Chicago Tribune and personal friend of the owner, Robert R. McCormick. He created the MLB All-Star Game, the All-America Football Conference , the Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament and the College All-Star Game. Ward was twice offered the job as...
in 1933. That first presentation went to Leon Wagner of the Los Angeles Angels (second game MVP) and to Maury Wills of the Los Angeles Dodgers (first game MVP), because two Midsummer Classics were played.
The spotlight on this game belonged to Maury Wills
Maury Wills
Maurice Morning "Maury" Wills is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and switch-hitting batter who played most prominently with the Los Angeles Dodgers , and also with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos...
. Entering the lineup in the sixth inning to pinch-run for Stan Musial, he stole second then scored the first run of the game off a Dick Groat single. In the eighth inning, Wills reached base by a single. He rounded second on a short single hit by Jim Davenport to left field. Wills reached third base safely and scored on a foul to right field moments later. This performance earned him the first All-Star Most Valuable Player Award. Roberto Clemente was a key contributor with three hits in the game.
Roster
Ralph Houk’s coaching staff included Billy HitchcockBilly Hitchcock
William Clyde Hitchcock was an American infielder, coach, manager and scout in Major League Baseball. He also served as president of the class AA Southern League from 1971-80...
and Jim Vernon, while Fred Hutchinson’s staff included Casey Stengel
Casey 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 ....
and Johnny Keane
Johnny Keane
John Joseph Keane was an American manager in Major League Baseball. Born in St. Louis, Missouri and known as a patient manager of young players, Keane participated in one of the strangest turns of events in baseball history in , his final season at the helm of the St...
.
Starting lineups
Umpires
| Position | Umpire |
|---|---|
| Home Plate | Eddie Hurley Eddie Hurley Edwin Henry "Eddie" Hurley was a professional baseball umpire who worked in the American League from 1947 to 1965. Hurley umpired 2,824 major league games in his 20 year career. He umpired in four World Series and three All-Star Games . -External links:*... |
| First 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,... |
| Second Base | Bob Stewart |
| Third Base | Tony Venzon |
| Left Field | Mel Steiner |
| Right Field | Harry Schwarts Harry Schwarts Harry Clark Schwarts was a professional baseball umpire who worked in the American League from 1960 to 1962. Schwarts umpired 338 major league games in his three year career. He also umpired in the 1962 Major League Baseball All-Star Game He died on February 22, 1963, before the season... |