1949 All-Star Game

This historic game marked the first time that black players were selected for an All-Star Game. Appropriately, the game was held at Ebbets Field, where Jackie Robinson had democratized Major League baseball two years previously. These players included Robinson, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe for the National League and Larry Doby for the American Leagie. Most felt that the new diversity of talent would finally tip the scales to the National League.

However, this game belonged to Joe DiMaggio, who had a single, a double and three runs batted in. American League manager Lou Boudreau had received a bit of heat for adding DiMaggio to the squad. He was battling a heel injury, hadn't played until June 28 and was a non-contender in fans' balloting. However, Boudreau chose him as a reserve and put him in the starting lineup when Tommy Henrich injured his knee. It turned out to be one of the smartest and sneakiest moves ever in an All-Star lineup.