1943 07-13 All Star Game

The 11th Annual All-Star Baseball Game, broadcast live from Shive Park in Philadelphia on July 13, 1943, made history as the first All-Star Game played under the lights, marking a significant milestone in baseball tradition. The American League took a commanding 5-1 lead into the seventh inning, fueled by strong pitching from Dutch Leonard and Johnny Vandermeer, who struck out four consecutive batters in the fifth inning, and timely offense from Bobby Doerr, whose second-inning home run and single accounted for three of the AL’s five runs. Despite early momentum from the National League, including singles from Stan Hack and Billy Herman, they failed to capitalize on key opportunities, with a controversial error and a double play sealing their struggles. The game intensified in the ninth inning when Vince DiMaggio delivered a dramatic three-run homer off Tex Houston, cutting the deficit to 5-3, but the American League held on for a 5-3 victory. The broadcast, featuring commentary from Mel Allen, Red Barber, Bill Corum, and Joe Paul, highlighted the game’s patriotic significance, with heavy promotion of Gillette Blue Blades and a strong emphasis on the war effort. The event raised approximately $90,000—combining $65,174 in ticket sales and $25,000 in radio rights—for the baseball equipment fund supporting military personnel, including protective gear beyond traditional supplies. Notably, this was the first All-Star Game without any New York Yankees on the American League roster, underscoring the wartime impact on team rosters and player availability.