1941 All-Star Game

The 1941 All-Star Game yielded what is considered to be one of the most electrifying homers in All-Star history. It was launched by one of the most popular and charismatic hitters of the day, Ted Williams. Playing in his second All-Star Game, he was on his way to a .406 season batting average and at the All-Star break, he was hitting .405.

One of the higher scoring All-Star games to date, this game showcased great pitching, strong hitting and a momentous conclusion. The American League was trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth and Claude Passeau pitching. Passeau retired the first batter. Then Ken Keltner came in as a pinch hitter and bounced a single off shortstop Eddie Miller's glove. Joe Gordon singled and Cecil Travis drew a walk, loading the bases for Joe DiMaggio with Ted Williams on deck. DiMaggio hit a certain double-play ball sharply to Miller, who threw to second baseman Billy Herman. Herman's throw to first was wide, enabling DiMaggio to reach first on a forceout and Keltner to score. Williams batted next and sent a fastball into the upper right-field stands and turned a 5-4 National League lead into a 7-5 American League win.

"All managers are losers, they are the most expendable pieces of furniture on the face of the Earth." - Ted Williams
1941 All-Star Game

1941 All-Star Game Program
1941 All-Star Game Official Program

Game Number

9

Date / Box Score

07-08-1941

Location

Briggs Stadium

Attendance (Rank)

54,674

M.V.P. Award

Not Awarded Until 1962

Starting Pitchers

Bob Feller

Whit Wyatt

Managers

Del Baker

Bill McKechnie

Coaches

Merv Shea

Leo Durocher

Art Fletcher

Jim Wilson

 

1941 All Star Game

Line Score

League

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E

National

0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 5 10 2

American

0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 4 7 11 3

Whit Wyatt
   Paul Derringer (3rd)
   Bucky Walters (5th)
   Claude Passeau (L, 7th)

Bob Feller
   Thornton Lee (4th)
   Sid Hudson (7th)
   Eddie Smith (W, 8th
Arky Vaughan (7th)
Arky Vaughan (8th)
Ted Williams (9th)
-

 

1941 All-Star Game

National League All-Star Squad

 

Cy Blanton Philadelphia Phillies P Did Not Pitch

 

Dolph Camilli Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Replaced - Injury

 

Harry Danning New York Giants C  

 

Paul Derringer Cincinnati Reds P  

 

Bob Elliott Pittsburgh Pirates OF  

7.

Lonny Frey Cincinnati Reds 2B  

1.

Stan Hack Chicago Cubs 3B  

 

Billy Herman Brooklyn Dodgers 2B  

 

Carl Hubbell New York Giants P Did Not Pitch

 

Cookie Lavagetto Brooklyn Dodgers 3B  

 

Hank Leiber Chicago Cubs OF Replaced - Injury

 

Al Lopez Pittsburgh Pirates C  

 

Frank McCormick Cincinnati Reds 1B Replaced Camilli

 

Joe Medwick Brooklyn Dodgers OF Replaced Leiber

 

Eddie Miller Boston Braves SS  

4.

Johnny Mize St. Louis Cardinals 1B  

2.

Terry Moore St. Louis Cardinals OF  

5.

Bill Nicholson Chicago Cubs OF  

 

Mel Ott New York Giants OF  

8.

Mickey Owen Brooklyn Dodgers C  

 

Claude Passeau Chicago Cubs P  

3.

Pete Reiser Brooklyn Dodgers OF  

 

Enos Slaughter St. Louis Cardinals OF  

6.

Arky Vaughan Pittsburgh Pirates SS  

 

Bucky Walters

Cincinnati Reds P  

 

Lon Warneke St. Louis Cardinals P Did Not Pitch

9.

Whit Wyatt Brooklyn Dodgers P Starting Pitcher

BOLD = Fan's / manager's choice to start the game.

 

1941 All-Star Game

American League All-Star Squad

 

Luke Appling Chicago White Sox SS Did Not Play

 

Al Benton Detroit Tigers P Did Not Pitch

 

Lou Boudreau Cleveland Indians SS  

6.

Joe Cronin Boston Red Sox SS  

 

Roy Cullenbine St. Louis Browns OF  

8.

Bill Dickey New York Yankees C  

 

Dom DiMaggio Boston Red Sox OF  

3.

Joe DiMaggio New York Yankees OF  

1.

Bobby Doerr Boston Red Sox 2B  

9.

Bob Feller Cleveland Indians P Starting Pitcher

 

Jimmie Foxx Boston Red Sox 1B  

 

Joe Gordon New York Yankees 2B  

 

Frankie Hayes Philadelphia Athletics C  

5.

Jeff Heath Cleveland Indians OF  

 

Sid Hudson Washington Senators P  

 

Charlie Keller New York Yankees OF  

 

Ken Keltner Cleveland Indians 3B  

 

Thornton Lee Chicago White Sox P  

 

Red Ruffing New York Yankees P Did Not Pitch

 

Marius Russo New York Yankees P Did Not Pitch

 

Eddie Smith Chicago White Sox P  

 

Birdie Tebbetts Detroit Tigers C Did Not Play

2.

Cecil Travis Washington Senators 3B  

4.

Ted Williams Boston Red Sox OF  

7.

Rudy York Detroit Tigers 1B  

BOLD = Fan's / manager's choice to start the game.



Del Baker, the manager of the American League All-Stars, actually hugged and kissed Ted Williams in the locker room following the game.

Who do you believe earned the hypothetical Most Valuable Player? Discuss historical issues like this on our baseball message boards today.

This was the first All-Star game played at Briggs Stadium. The next, and final, Midsummer Classic at Briggs Stadium would not occur until the 1951 All-Star Game.