1973 All-Star Game

In 1973 the Midsummer Classic celebrated it's 40th Anniversary with a game that was special as it marked the final All-Star appearance of Willie Mays who many consider to be the greatest all-round performer in All-Star history. During his twenty-four appearances, he hit .307, had twenty-three hits, including three home runs, three triples and two doubles. More than just a threat at the plate, he was also responsible for many highlights on the field with spectacular defensive play.

As part of the festivities, surviving members from the first 1933 game attended including Carl Hubbell, Bill Hallahan, Lefty Gomez, Dick Bartel, Lefty Grove, Joe Cronin, Jimmie Dykes and Charlie Gehringer.

In keeping with the historical theme, the American League started out in the lead, but was unable to hold onto it. Trailing 1-0 in the third, the National League scored two runs and went on scoring steadily. Bobby Bonds entered the game during the fourth inning to replace starter Billy Williams then proceeded to smack a two run homer during his first at-bat in the fifth inning off California's Bill Singer. He secured his Most Valuable Player Award in the seventh inning when he ran out a lazy single for a very exciting double.

Many fans felt that the All-Star Game was becoming too predictable once again and many of their favorite regulars had begun to retire. This trend would affect the attendance and enthusiasm that surrounded the festivities, but a new group of up and coming superstars were about to give the game a new breathe of life.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"He (Carl Lewis) makes his living running fast and I make mine running slow." - Bobby Bonds on his home run trot

1973 All-Star Game

1973 All-Star Game Program

1973 All-Star Game Official Program

Game Number 44
Date / Box Score 07-24-1973
Location Royals Stadium
Attendance (Rank) 40,849
M.V.P. Award Bobby Bonds
Starting Pitchers Catfish Hunter Rick Wise
Managers Dick Williams Sparky Anderson
Coaches Whitey Herzog Gene Mauch
Chuck Tanner Bill Virdon

1973 All-Star Game

Line Score

League 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
National 0 0 2 1 2 2 0 0 0 7 10 0
American 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0
Rick Wise (W)
Claude Osteen (3rd)
Don Sutton (5th)
Wayne Twitchell (6th)
Dave Giusti (7th)
Tom Seaver (8th)
Jim Brewer (9th)
Catfish Hunter
Ken Holtzman (2nd)
Bert Blyleven (L, 3rd)
Bill Singer (4th)
Nolan Ryan (6th)
Sparky Lyle (8th)
Rollie Fingers (9th)
Johnny Bench (4th)
Bobby Bonds (5th)
Willie Davis (6th)
None
-
-

1973 All-Star Game

National League All-Star Squad

4. Hank Aaron Atlanta Braves 1B
6. Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds C
Jack Billingham Cincinnati Reds P Did Not Pitch
Bobby Bonds San Francisco Giants OF
Jim Brewer Los Angeles Dodgers P
3. Cesar Cedeno Houston Astros OF
Nate Colbert San Diego Padres 1B
Dave Concepcion Cincinnati Reds SS Injured
Willie Davis Los Angeles Dodgers OF
Darrell Evans Atlanta Braves 3B
Ron Fairly Montreal Expos 1B
Dave Giusti Pittsburgh Pirates P
Davey Johnson Atlanta Braves 2B
Willie Mays New York Mets OF
2. Joe Morgan Cincinnati Reds 2B
Manny Mota Los Angeles Dodgers OF
Claude Osteen Los Angeles Dodgers P
1. Pete Rose Cincinnati Reds OF
Bill Russell Los Angeles Dodgers SS
7. Ron Santo Chicago Cubs 3B
Tom Seaver New York Mets P
Ted Simmons St. Louis Cardinals C
8. Chris Speier San Francisco Giants SS
Willie Stargell Pittsburgh Pirates OF
Don Sutton Los Angeles Dodgers P
Joe Torre St. Louis Cardinals 3B
Wayne Twitchell Philadelphia Phillies P
Bob Watson Houston Astros OF
5. Billy Williams Chicago Cubs OF
9. Rick Wise St. Louis Cardinals P Starting Pitcher
BOLD = Fan's choice to start the game (Manager chooses pitcher).

1973 All-Star Game

American League All-Star Squad

Dick Allen Chicago White Sox 1B Injured
Sal Bando Oakland Athletics 3B
Buddy Bell Cleveland Indians 3B
Paul Blair Baltimore Orioles OF
Bert Blyleven Minnesota Twins P
Ed Brinkman Detroit Tigers SS
1. Bert Campaneris Oakland Athletics SS
2. Rod Carew Minnesota Twins 2B
Jim Colborn Milwaukee Brewers P Did Not Pitch
Rollie Fingers Oakland Athletics P
7. Carlton Fisk Boston Red Sox C
Bill Freehan Detroit Tigers C Did Not Play
Ken Holtzman Oakland Athletics P
Willie Horton Detroit Tigers OF
9. Catfish Hunter Oakland Athletics P Starting Pitcher
4. Reggie Jackson Oakland Athletics OF
Pat Kelly Chicago White Sox OF
Bill Lee Boston Red Sox P Did Not Pitch
Sparky Lyle New York Yankees P
Dave May Milwaukee Brewers OF
3. John Mayberry Kansas City Royals 1B
Thurman Munson New York Yankees C
6. Bobby Murcer New York Yankees OF
Dave Nelson Texas Rangers 2B
5. Amos Otis Kansas City Royals OF
8. Brooks Robinson Baltimore Orioles 3B
Cookie Rojas Kansas City Royals 2B
Nolan Ryan California Angels P
Bill Singer California Angels P
Jim Spencer Texas Rangers 1B
Carl Yastrzemski Boston Red Sox 1B Injured

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

Game / Box Links: 1973 Box Score | 1973 Play-by-Play
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baseball almanac fast facts

At the completion of the 1973 Midsummer Classic, an All-Star record fifty-four players were used by both clubs.

Did you know that this was the first Midsummer Classic held at Royals Stadium in Kansas City?

Back to the first All-Star Game played in 1933, the National League now leads the American League 25-18 with one tie.