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1973 MLB All-Star Game
by erick Von erich

44th MLB All-Star Game
Royals Stadium
July 24, 1973

From MLB Network's random airings of old All-Star Game highlights, it's the 44th Mid-Summer Classic from Royals Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Rather fitting that it's being held there, because if you've ever been to Royals (now Kaufmann) Stadium, the place just screams "70's!". Unlike the last ASG recap I did, this isn't the original broadcast. Rather, it's an abridged highlights video, complete with music, soundbytes and other summary type of stuff. Which means this same exact video probably ran on local channels during rain delays until 1986 or so!

The title of this package is "A New Generation of Stars", as it focusses on guys like Bobby Bonds and Bobby Murcer. An appropriate title, since MLB was coming out of the 60's, when guys like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle dominated the headlines. Murcer, Bonds and the (at the time) two-time no-hitter phenom Nolan Ryan, each receive little vignettes to hype up their ASG appearances. Bonds even receives a rub form no less than Hank Aaron. Murcer's is somewhat noteworthy because it features an interview from Yankees manager Ralph Houk; otherwise known as the villain of Jim Bouton's Ball Four book!

As I did before, I'll just cover random highlights and trivia. But for a refresher, I'll direct you to Baseball-Reference once again, to check out the roster and boxscore.

The 44th All-Star Game began with a tribute to the great Roberto Clemente, who had died on a humanitarian mission to South America before the 1973 season. Not enough about Clemente is included in this video, though, as it simply calls him a "great man". Understandable, but that might be the most understated comment in baseball history.

The game itself looked like it would be going the AL's way, despite the fact that the NL had won 9 of the last 10 meetings. With a solid starting line-up, led by Reggie Jackson and hometown hero John Mayberry, it was a valid point. The NL countered with the core of the not-yet-named "Big Red Machine". For the record, here are the starting lineups:

NL Starting Lineup:
1. Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds, LF
2. Joe Morgan, Cincinnati Reds, 2B
3. Cesar Cedeno, Cincinnati Reds, CF
4. Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves, 1B
5. Billy Williams, Chicago Cubs, RF
6. Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds, C
7. Ron Santo, Chicago Cubs, 3B
8. Chris Speier, San Francisco Giants, SS
9. Rick Wise, St. Louis Cardinals, SP
Manager: Sparky Anderson, Cincinnati Reds

AL Starting Lineup
1. Bert Campaneris, Oakland Athletics, SS
2. Rod Carew, Minnestoa Twins, 2B
3. John Mayberry, Kansas City Royals, 1B
4. Reggie Jackson, Oakland Athletics, RF
5. Amos Otis, Kansas City Royals, CF
6. Bobby Murcer, New York Yankees, LF
7. Carlton Fisk, Bostn Red Sox, C
8. Brooks Robinson,Baltimore Orioles, 3B
9. Catfish Hunter, Oakland Athletics, SP
Manager: Dick Williams, Oakland Athletics

Basically, the line-ups are heavy with players from the 1972 World Series; Reds and Athletics. This was during the A's 70's run of three straight championships. A feat that wasn't matched until the Yankees in 1998-2000. Also, having Otis and Mayberry both starting was a big boost for Kansas City fandom. Both of those guys were two of the early stars for the Royals. Their selections and this All-Star Game were loud stomps that MLB was back to stay in KC.

Gameplay:
The first hit of the game was from Billy Williams in the second. The ball bounced up the middle and Catfish Hunter broke his thumb while trying to bare-hand it. In the bottom of the second, Reggie Jackson hit a long drive to center, resulting in a double. Amos Otis then drove him in to put the AL up with an early 1-0 lead.

In the third, the NL Champion Reds got things moving, as Cesar Cedeno drove in Pete Rose to tie the game. Hank Aaron knocked in Joe Morgan to put the NL ahead, 2-1. Detroit's Buddy Bell then tripled to lead off the third, but was stranded at third, thanks to a double-play and a Reggie Jackson groundout. In the next inning, the AL saw Red again, as Johhny Bench homered off Bill Singer and the rout was on. In the fifth, Bobby Bonds hit a two-run homer to push it to 5-1.

Nolan Ryan entered in the sixth and, to nobody's surprise, had some control issues. He promptly walked Ron Santo durig an at-bat similar to the famous 1993 John Kruk/Randy Johnson confrontation. Ryan then struck out Pittsburgh's Willie Stargell, then gave up a two-run homer to the Dodgers' Willie Davis to make it 7-1. In an apparent equipment issue, Davis actually wore an Atlanta Braves batting helmet while at the plate. I'm curious if this was, in fact, Hank Aaron's helmet. Would've been an amazing thrill for Davis if so: borrow Hank's helmet and go yard.

Willie Mays came to the plate to pinch-hit in the late innings to a standing ovation. For all trivia buffs, Willie was actually a member of the New York Mets at the time. Willie was pretty well removed from his heyday, so his selection was mostly a ceremonial honor for one of the greatest baseball careers in history. This ended up being his 24th and last ASG appearance, as he was unfortunately K'd by Sparky Lyle. Another legendary oldsters winding down is career in this game was Baltimore's Brooks Robinson (making his 17th appearance no less). This video also mentions Harmon Killebrew, Al Kaline and Frank Robinson as being selections, but I can find no evidence that they were selected. I chalk this up to my confusion on the video's intro, which talked about the "new generation" of All-Stars, while name-dropping 60's icons.

Final Totals
NL: 7 runs, 10 hits, no errors
AL: 1 run, 5 hits, no errors
WP: Rick Wise, Cardinals (1-0)
LP: Bert Blyleven,Twins (0-1)
SV: Jim Brewer, Dodgers (1)
HR: Bonds (1), Bench (1), W. Davis (1)
MVP: Bobby Bonds (2 for 2, 1 HR, 2 RBI)

Other stuff/Notables/Goofy Crap

• Note that this game took place before the arrival of the American League's Designated Hitter rule.
• This game set a then-record for number of players used at 53.
• The umpires all wore the old short-brimmed caps, which made them look like train conductors.
• Tom Seaver pitched a scoreless inning, as he had given up 0 runs in his seven appearances to this point.
• No idea how or why Jim Brewer was creditted with a save. He only pitched the ninth inning, with the NL leading by 6 runs.
• Yup, Chris Speier is the father of current MLB hurler Justin Speier.
• Despite getting a rub from Hank and a big "push" in this video, Bobby Bonds departed San Francisco after the 1973 season and then proceeded to fade away by becoming a vagabond while playing for 7 teams in 7 seasons. But his sperm fertilized an egg that came back to trouble MLB by 1986.

Why's THAT guy in there?!
Most of these guys don't come to mind when you think of "All-Stars", but they had decent enough numbers or reputations in 1973 to make it. As evidenced by some of these selections, I'm pretty sure the "one from every team" rule was in effect in '73. This is not to knock these guys, but some are only remembered in their hometowns.

• Ron Fairly, LF, Expos
• Bob Watson, LF, Astros
• Jack Billingham, P, Reds
• Wayne Twitchell, P, Phillies
• Dave Giusti, P, Pirates
• Ed Brinkman, SS, Tigers
• Pat Kelly, OF, White Sox
• Jim Spencer, 1B, Angels
• Dave Nelson, 2B, Rangers

Why'd You Tape This:
For all you DWB/DWS regulars: believe it or not, but 1973 was before my time. So this little recap video serves as a good "video baseball card" of the 1973 season. Good chunk of Hall of Famers appearing, plus some guys who we've forgotten about. Like all baseball cards, this just whets my whistle and makes me want to collect more!

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