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.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"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).

Game / Box Links: 1948 Box Score | 1948 Play-by-Play
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baseball almanac flat baseball

baseball almanac fast facts

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.