On This Date in Sports July 8, 1941: A Splendid All-Star Game
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
The American League rallies to beat the National League 7-5 in the ninth annual All-Star Game at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. The AL scored four runs in the ninth inning to win the game, as Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox hit a three-run walk-off home run with two outs against Claude Passeau of the Chicago Cubs. The game was played in the midst of Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak, with the Yankee Clipper getting one hit in four at-bats. The NL was led by Arky Vaughan, who had a pair of two-run homers.
Baseball's ninth All-Star Game saw Bill McKechnie from the Cincinnati Reds lead the National League squad, while Del Baker of the host Detroit Tigers managed the American League All-Stars. All eyes were on Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox who came into the game batting .405, and Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees, who had smashed Wee-Willie Keeler's record 44-game hitting streak. At the break, DiMaggio had extended the streak to 48 games.
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Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians started the game for the AL, white Whit Wyatt of the Brooklyn Dodgers started for the NL. Both starting pitchers were sharp, with Feller striking out four in three innings, allowing one hit, while Wyatt allowed one walk in two innings on the bump. The AL scored the first run of the game in the fourth inning, as Ted Williams doubled home Cecil Travis of the Washington Senators. The NL scratched out a run in the sixth, while Lou Boudreau of the Indians had an RBI single in the bottom of the inning.
In the seventh inning, the National League surged in front on a two-run shot by Pirates shortstop Arky Vaughan off Sid Hudson of the Senators. Vaughan hit a second two-run home run in the eighth inning against Eddie Smith of the Chicago White Sox, extending the National League's lead to 5-2. Joe DiMaggio hit a double in the eighth inning. Though it did not count, it was a virtual extension of his 48-game hitting streak. He would score when his brother Dom DiMaggio playing for the Red Sox, roped a single into centerfield.
After Eddie Smith retired, the American League in order in the ninth, as Claude Passeau of the Chicago Cubs in this third inning looked to nail down the save, as Buck Walters of the Reds was in line to get the win. He started the ninth by getting Frankie Hayes on an infield fly. However, after back-to-back singles by Ken Keltner of the Indians and Joe Gordon, the AL was in business. Cecil Travis walked to load the bases for the two biggest stars in baseball. Joe DiMaggio hit into a force play as a chance to turn a double play was missed as Bucky Walters of the Reds was unable to stay on the bag on a wide throw from Billy Herman of the Cubs. Ted Williams stepped up and ended the game with a three-run home run, giving the Junior Circuit a dramatic 7-5 win.
Ted Williams would finish the season with a .4-6 average the last player to hit .400, while Joe DiMaggio extended the hitting streak to 56 games, a record that has yet to be approached.