Unlike All-Star Games of the latter part of the century, early confrontations were more hotly contested. Players had a tendency to remain with one club, or in one league, for most of their careers. As a result there was continuity and camaraderie within the each league, and a natural rivalry between the two. The American League had taken five of the first eight meetings, but this year the National League was hoping to win its second in a row. Highlighting the American League starting lineup were six future Hall of Famers, while the Senior Circuit had but two.

Twenty-two-year-old Bob Feller, from the Cleveland Indians, blazed through the first three innings with his fastball, facing only nine batters and fanning four. The Dodgers’ Whit Wyatt, crafting his only 20-win season, also faced the minimum, although he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the top of the third.

In the bottom of the fourth, Cincinnati’s Paul Derringer, coming off three consecutive 20-win campaigns, was on the hill when the first run of the game scored. With one out, Washington’s Cecil Travis doubled to left. Joe DiMaggio then flied out, but another youngster, 22-year-old Ted Williams, doubled home Travis.

The scoring pace accelerated in the sixth frame. First, the Senior Circuit tied it in the top half. A leadoff double by pitcher Bucky Walters, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly by Terry Moore did the work. In the home half, Walters allowed two walks, then an RBI single by Lou Boudreau, as the American League regained the lead at 2-1.

Facing Washington’s Sid Hudson, the National League forged ahead in the seventh. After Enos Slaughter led off with a single, Arky Vaughan homered to right making it 3-2. There was a chance for more when Billy Herman doubled, but Hudson closed the door.

The White Sox Eddie Smith was on the mound in the eighth when the National League struck again. Johnny Mize doubled, and Arky Vaughan hit his second two-run circuit blast, giving his team a 5-2 margin. But the American League got one back in the bottom half thanks to the DiMaggio brothers. Joe doubled, and, with two outs, Dom knocked him home with a single. Boudreau then also singled, but the Cubs’ Claude Passeau struck out Jimmie Foxx to hold it at 5-3.

Smith retired the side in order in the top of the ninth, leaving Passeau and the National League needing just three outs for the victory.

The right-hander retired the first American Leaguer on an infield pop-up, but two singles and a walk loaded the sacks. That brought to the plate the great Joe DiMaggio, who was in the midst of his much celebrated 56-game hitting streak and an MVP season. Joe drilled a sharp grounder to shortstop that should have ended the game, but Herman’s wide relay to first spoiled a double play. It also enabled the fourth run to score, and put runners at the corners with two outs. Next up was Williams, leading the league with a .405 average and possessor of an earlier RBI double. The spindly left-handed batter lashed a tremendous line drive off the right field roof amid a thunderous roar from the partisan crowd. The American League had turned near defeat into a rousing 7-5 celebration.

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