1972 Old-Timers Game
For the third straight year, the National League used the home run ball to turn back the American League, 3-2, in the 19th annual All-Star Game on July 8, 1952, at Shibe Park. A crowd of 32,785 was on hand and witnessed the first ASG halted by rain after five innings.
Jackie Robinson homered into the upper left field stands in the NL’s first at-bat. The AL scored two in the top of the fourth for a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of that inning, Stan Musial was hit by a pitch. Hank Sauer followed with a game-winning two-run homer onto the roof in left field.
Curt Simmons started for the NL, with 1 hit allowed in 3 innings. Another Philly favorite, Bobby Shantz, gave the hometown fans a thrill. He struck out Whitey Lockman, Robinson and Stan Musial in the bottom of the fifth inning. Rain deprived Shantz of a chance to tie Carl Hubbell's record of five consecutive strikeouts in the 1934 game.
20 years later, the Phillies’ Bill Giles, for their Old-Timers Game theme, decided to complete that game at Veterans Stadium on August 19, 1972. Invitations were sent to every member of both squads.
American League
C Joe Astroth, 2B Bobby Avila, OF Dom DiMaggio, OF Larry Doby, 1B Ferris Fain, P Mike Garcia, OF Jackie Jenson, SS Eddie Joost, OF Mickey Mantle, P Satchel Paige, P Allie Reynolds. P Bobby Shantz, 3B Eddie Yost.
National League
OF Richie Ashburn, C Roy Campanella, OF Carl Furillo, INF Granny Hamner, INF Grady Hatton, P Sal Maglie, SS Pee Wee Reese, P Robin Roberts, P Bob Rush, OF Hank Sauer, P Curt Simmons, OF Enos Slaughter, P Gerry Staley, 3B Bobby Thomson, C Wes Westrum.
Resuming Play
The Veterans Stadium scoreboard started with the sixth inning, A.L. 000 20; NL 100 20.
With 20 years of rest, Shantz gave up 5 runs in the sixth inning. His AL teammates could plate one run. Final “completed” score: NL 8, AL 3.
The game featured one of the most creative concepts in baseball promotional history. Played on a Saturday night against Houston, the Old-timers Game drew 33,525, larger than the original night at Shibe Park. Only two home crowds for the rest of the season topped 33,000: games started by “Super Steve” Carlton.