1948 All-Star Game

For the first time, the American League entered the game at a decided disadvantage. Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams were hobbled by injuries that limited them to pinch-hitting and George Kell, the game's premier third baseman, missed the game with an ankle injury. Many felt that this may be an opportunity for the National League to capitalize on the American League's misfortunes and take a first step toward evening up the All-Star wins.

Unfortunately for the National League, they were wrong. In the fourth inning, the American League loaded the bases off of pitcher Johnny Schmitz. Ken Keltner and George McQuinn singled and Birdie Tebbetts walked, loading the bases. Manager Bucky Harris let pitcher Vic Raschi bat and he singled into left, scoring Keltner and McQuinn and sending Tebbetts to third. In order to prevent another run, Schmitz was pulled and Johnny Sain was summoned from the bullpen in relief. It didn't help as he gave up a liner to DiMaggio. It scored Tebbetts and made the score, 5-2. It remained that as the American League added yet another W in their win column. Many felt that the game was becoming too routine, but change was on the horizon.

"He (Hank Aaron) could run, field, throw, and of course, hit. He has such great wrists, like Ernie Banks. And, it was hard to fool him." - Vic Raschi
1948 All-Star Game

1948 All-Star Game Program
1948 All-Star Game Official Program

Game Number

15

Date / Box Score

07-13-1948

Location

Sportsman's Park

Attendance (Rank)

34,009

1st Pitch

Burt Shooton

M.V.P. Award

Not Awarded Until 1962

Starting Pitchers

Walt Masterson

Ralph Branca

Managers

Bucky Harris

Leo Durocher

Coaches

John Corriden

Eddie Dyer

Chuck Dressen

Mel Ott

 

1948 All Star Game

Line Score

League

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

National

2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 0

American

0 1 1 3 0 0 0 0 x 5 6 0

Ralph Branca
   Johnny Schmitz (L, 4th)
   Johnny Sain (4th)
   Ewell Blackwell (6th)

Walt Masterson
   Vic Raschi (W, 4th)
   Joe Coleman (7th)
   -

Stan Musial (1st)

Hoot Evers (2nd)

 

1948 All-Star Game

National League All-Star Squad

1.

Richie Ashburn Philadelphia Phillies OF  

 

Ewell Blackwell

Cincinnati Reds P  

9.

Ralph Branca

Brooklyn Dodgers P Starting Pitcher

 

Harry Brecheen St. Louis Cardinals P Did Not Pitch

7.

Walker Cooper New York Giants C  

 

Bob Elliott Boston Braves 3B  

 

Sid Gordon New York Giants 3B Did Not Play

 

Frankie Gustine Pittsburgh Pirates 3B  

 

Tommy Holmes Boston Braves OF  

 

Buddy Kerr New York Giants SS  

 

Ralph Kiner Pittsburgh Pirates OF  

 

Marty Marion St. Louis Cardinals SS Replaced - Injury

 

Phil Masi Boston Braves C  

 

Clyde McCullough Chicago Cubs C Did Not Play

4.

Johnny Mize New York Giants 1B  

3.

Stan Musial

St. Louis Cardinals OF  

6.

Andy Pafko Chicago Cubs 3B  

8.

Pee Wee Reese Brooklyn Dodgers SS  

 

Elmer Riddle Pittsburgh Pirates P Did Not Pitch

 

Bill Rigney New York Giants 2B Replaced Stanky

 

Johnny Sain

Boston Braves P  

 

Johnny Schmitz

Chicago Cubs P  

2.

Red Schoendienst St. Louis Cardinals 2B  

5.

Enos Slaughter St. Louis Cardinals OF  

 

Eddie Stanky Boston Braves 2B Replaced - Injury

 

Bobby Thomson New York Giants OF  

 

Eddie Waitkus Chicago Cubs 1B  

BOLD = Fan's choice to start the game (Manager chooses pitcher).

 

1948 All-Star Game

American League All-Star Squad

 

Yogi Berra New York Yankees C Did Not Play

3.

Lou Boudreau Cleveland Indians SS  

 

Joe Coleman

Philadelphia Athletics P  

 

Joe DiMaggio New York Yankees OF  

 

Joe Dobson Boston Red Sox P Replaced Feller

 

Bobby Doerr Boston Red Sox 2B  

5.

Hoot Evers Detroit Tigers OF  

 

Bob Feller Cleveland Indians P Replaced - Injury

4.

Joe Gordon Cleveland Indians 2B  

 

Joe Haynes Chicago White Sox P Did Not Pitch

2.

Tommy Henrich New York Yankees OF  

 

George Kell Detroit Tigers 3B Did Not Play

6.

Ken Keltner Cleveland Indians 3B  

 

Bob Lemon Cleveland Indians P Did Not Pitch

9.

Walt Masterson

Washington Senators P Starting Pitcher

7.

George McQuinn New York Yankees 1B  

1.

Pat Mullin Detroit Tigers OF  

 

Hal Newhouser Detroit Tigers P  

 

Joe Page New York Yankees P Did Not Pitch

 

Vic Raschi

New York Yankees P  

8.

Buddy Rosar Philadelphia Athletics C  

 

Vern Stephens Boston Red Sox SS  

 

Birdie Tebbetts Boston Red Sox C  

 

Mickey Vernon Washington Senators 1B  

 

Ted Williams Boston Red Sox OF  

 

Al Zarilla St. Louis Browns OF  

BOLD = Fan's choice to start the game (Manager chooses pitcher).



Did you know that this particular All-Star game was the first one ever played where neither league committed an error?

This was the third consecutive victory by the American League and the third time since 1933 that the junior circuit had won three consecutive Midsummer Classics.

This was the second Midsummer Classic held at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. The first was held on July 9, 1940, a game best remembered because it was the first All-Star shutout.