1952 All-Star Game

For the first time in the history of the All-Star game, an exhibition was called short due to mother nature. Although this outing only lasted five innings (due to rain), it did mark the third consecutive "win" by the new and improved National League.

With the American League leading 2-1 and Bob Lemon pitching, the National League regained its momentum and came back in the fourth. First, a pitch hit Stan Musial. Then Hank Sauer drove Lemon's first pitch onto the left-field roof. Once again, pitching stood out as Bobby Shantz put on a stunning display in the fifth, striking out Whitey Lockman, Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial. Unfortunately, the game was called before he could try to tie Carl Hubbell's record of five in a row. The American League felt slighted and many believed that they would have made a comeback if not for the premature ending. The National League however, did not debate the call.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"I wouldn't trade Sauer for both (Robin) Roberts and (Joe) Black. I can't tell you how many games he won for us with his bat. He catches any fly ball he gets close to, saved games for us with his throwing, and played when I thought he couldn't even swing a bat. I don't know how a guy could be more valuable than that." - Phil Cavarretta

1952 All-Star Game

1952 All-Star Game Program

1952 All-Star Game Official Program

Game Number 19
Date / Box Score 07-08-1952
Location Shibe Park
Attendance (Rank) 32,785
M.V.P. Award Not Awarded Until 1962
Starting Pitchers Vic Raschi Curt Simmons
Managers Casey Stengel Leo Durocher
Coaches Tony Cuccinello Frank Shellenback
Al Lopez Eddie Stanky

1952 All-Star Game

Line Score

League 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
American 0 0 0 2 0 2 5 0
National 1 0 0 2 0 3 3 0
Vic Raschi
Bob Lemon (L, 3rd)
Bobby Shantz (5th)
Curt Simmons
Bob Rush (W, 4th)
-
None
-
Jackie Robinson (1st)
Hank Sauer (4th)

1952 All-Star Game

American League All-Star Squad

7. Bobby Avila Cleveland Indians 2B
2. Hank Bauer New York Yankees OF
5. Yogi Berra New York Yankees C
1. Dom DiMaggio Boston Red Sox OF
Larry Doby Cleveland Indians OF
Ferris Fain Philadelphia Athletics 1B Did Not Play
Nellie Fox Chicago White Sox 2B Did Not Play
Mike Garcia Cleveland Indians P Did Not Pitch
Jim Hegan Cleveland Indians C Did Not Play
Jackie Jensen Washington Senators OF
Eddie Joost Philadelphia Athletics SS
George Kell Boston Red Sox 3B Replaced - Injury
Bob Lemon Cleveland Indians P
Mickey Mantle New York Yankees OF Did Not Play
Gil McDougald New York Yankees 2B Replaced Kell
Minnie Minoso Chicago White Sox OF
3. Dale Mitchell Cleveland Indians OF
Satchel Paige St. Louis Browns P Did Not Pitch
9. Vic Raschi New York Yankees P Starting Pitcher
Allie Reynolds New York Yankees P Did Not Pitch
8. Phil Rizzuto New York Yankees SS
6. Eddie Robinson Chicago White Sox 1B
4. Al Rosen Cleveland Indians 3B
Bobby Shantz Philadelphia Athletics P
Vic Wertz Detroit Tigers OF Did Not Play
Eddie Yost Washington Senators 3B Did Not Play
BOLD = Fan's choice to start the game (Manager chooses pitcher).

1952 All-Star Game

National League All-Star Squad

Toby Atwell Chicago Cubs C Did Not Play
5. Roy Campanella Brooklyn Dodgers C
Alvin Dark New York Giants SS Did Not Play
Carl Furillo Brooklyn Dodgers OF Did Not Play
8. Granny Hamner Philadelphia Phillies SS
Grady Hatton Cincinnati Reds 3B Did Not Play
Jim Hearn New York Giants P Replaced Roe
Gil Hodges Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Did Not Play
Monte Irvin New York Giants OF Replaced - Injury
Ralph Kiner Pittsburgh Pirates OF Did Not Play
1. Whitey Lockman New York Giants 1B
Sal Maglie New York Giants P Did Not Pitch
3. Stan Musial St. Louis Cardinals OF
Pee Wee Reese Brooklyn Dodgers SS
Robin Roberts Philadelphia Phillies P Did Not Pitch
2. Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers 2B
Preacher Roe Brooklyn Dodgers P Replaced - Injury
Bob Rush Chicago Cubs P
4. Hank Sauer Chicago Cubs OF
Red Schoendienst St. Louis Cardinals 2B Did Not Play
9. Curt Simmons Philadelphia Phillies P Starting Pitcher
6. Enos Slaughter St. Louis Cardinals OF
Duke Snider Brooklyn Dodgers OF Did Not Play
Warren Spahn Boston Braves P Did Not Pitch
Gerry Staley St. Louis Cardinals P Did Not Pitch
7. Bobby Thomson New York Giants 3B
Wes Westrum New York Giants C Did Not Play

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

Game / Box Links: 1952 Box Score | 1952 Play-by-Play
Navigation: Previous Classic | Next Classic

baseball almanac flat baseball

baseball almanac fast facts

Bobby Shantz entered the 1952 Midsummer Classic during the fifth inning and struck out Whitey Lockman, Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial in succession. Shantz finished the 1952 season 24-7, and even though the A's went 79-75, he won the American League Most Valuable Player Award.

At the top of the fourth inning, Bob Lemon hit Stan Musial with a pitch. The American League had a 2-1 lead and the next batter, Hank Sauer of the Chicago Cubs, drove the first pitch he saw onto the left-field roof scoring the game winning runs.

The rain on July 8th: 1. Started early in the morning and prevented both teams from having any pre-game warm ups. 2. Delayed the first-pitch twenty-minutes. 3. Caused the game to be called after the fifth inning.