1943 Major League Baseball Showcase
This is the first in a series of the four All-Star Games played in Philadelphia.
Ten years after the 1933 All-Star Game’s debut in Chicago’s Comiskey Park, the best players gathered in Philadelphia’s Shibe Park. The Philadelphia Athletics, who called Shibe Park home since it opened in 1909, were the host.
The 1943 game, played on Tuesday, July 13, was significantly affected by World War II. Fourteen of the 50 players from the 1942 rosters were serving in the military. Among that group were Joe and Dom DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto, Johnny Mize and Enos Slaughter. Two years later, the game was canceled because of the war.
Riding a three-run homer by Bobby Doerr (Red Sox) in the second inning, the American League won, 5-3, its eighth win in 11 games. The attendance was 31,938. Game time, 2:07.
The game was historic in that it was the first ASG to be played at night. It was broadcast in the states on Mutual Radio (Mel Allen, Red Barber, Bill Corum). The British Broadcasting Company broadcast the game around the world via short-wave radio.
Managers Joe McCarthy (Yankees) and Billy Southworth (Cardinals) selected the 25 players on each roster, as was the custom then. They were required to include one player from each of the 16 teams.
“National Leaguers had attributed the American League’s success in these games to the Yankees’ dominance,” wrote Lyle Spatz in the game recap from SABR Game Project. “McCarthy, in a slap at the National Leaguers, attempted to demonstrate his league’s overall superiority by keeping all of his Yankees players on the bench. Southworth, on the other hand, had five of the eight Cardinals he had chosen in his starting lineup.
“We didn’t need them,” McCarthy explained. “We got out there in front early enough. Besides, these other boys deserved a chance to shine. The Yankees have had enough of the limelight. Let some of the other guys get some of it.”
Nuggets
Originally scheduled to start at 8:45 p.m., the game was delayed 15 minutes at the request of BBC.
1B Dick Siebert was the representative from the host A’s (0-1 as the AL starter).
The Phillies' lone player was Babe Dahlgren (PH-1B, 0-for2).
LHP Howie Pollet (Cardinals) had to report for Army duty. He was replaced by RHP Ace Adams (Giants), who was originally scheduled to be the NL’s batting-practice pitcher.
Stan Musial (Cardinals) played in the first of his record 24 consecutive games.
The game featured brothers C Walker Cooper (Cardinals) and RHP Mort Cooper (Cardinals); PH Dixie Walker (Dodgers) and CF Harry Walker (Cardinals).
Vince DiMaggio (Pirates) led the NL with a single, a triple and a home run -- a double shy of a cycle. Two years later, the Phillies acquired him in a trade.
LHP Johnny Vander Meer (Reds) struck out six batters in his 2 2/3 innings, tying the mark set by LHP Carl Hubbell (1934 game)
The game raised $115,174 for the Army and Navy’s Bat and Ball Fund. In addition to the $65,174 realized in gate receipts, the radio rights brought an additional $25,000. Commissioner Kenesaw Landis’ office contributed $20,000, and each league contributed $2,500.
Each of the players received a $50 war bond.
The Official Souvenir Program sold for 25 cents.
An upper grandstand ticket was $2.20.