[bpbrooksy]

Welcome to the 1961 Midsummer Classic!

The All-Star Break is one of my favorite times of the year, period. For many players, this is the only time they'll ever face their counterparts from the opposite league. Guys Norm Cash and Mickey Mantle are in the lineup together. Fierce rivals turn double plays together. And, of course, league-wide honor and bragging rights are on the line.

This year's game will be played at Candlestick Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. (We'll pretend that the Boston game is, uh...rained out. After all, this was the second-to-last season in which more than one ASG was played.) Fans are pretty excited about this venue, as while the Giants have been in San Fran since 1958, this is only their second year in the new park.

*x* - x = number of All-Star appearances

AMERICAN LEAGUE - STARTING LINEUP

1. 1B Norm Cash, DET (.403/.499/.698, 25 HR, 4 SB, 231 wRC+, 7.2 WAR) - *1*
2. 2B Jerry Adair, BAL (.267/.342/.404, 10 HR, 4 SB, 117 wRC+, 2.2 WAR) - *1*
3. CF Mickey Mantle, NYY (.324/.433/.707, 34 HR, 3 SB, 212 wRC+, 5.9 WAR) - *10*
4. RF Roger Maris, NYY (.285/.391/.625, 28 HR, 183 wRC+, 4.5 WAR) - *3*
5. C Elston Howard, NYY (.382/.423/.563, 9 HR, 177 wRC+, 4.1 WAR) - *5*
6. LF Yogi Berra, NYY (.314/.369/.551, 20 HR, 158 wRC+, 2.9 WAR) - *14*
7. 3B Al Smith, CHW (.259/.349/.500, 22 HR, 1 SB, 139 wRC+, 3.1 WAR) - *3*
8. SS Ron Hansen, BAL (.267/.358/.404, 11 HR, 121 wRC+, 4.0 WAR) - *2*
9. P CAMILO PASCUAL, MIN (10-3, 2.37 ERA, 140.1 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 3.1 WAR) - *3*

This is pretty cool for Pascual, and not just because he's our guy. Pascual has been named to the All-Star Game in each of the last three years, but for the last two summers he's been unable to play when the game rolled around. Now, he's healthy, rested, and he'll be getting the ball.

The middle of the order is just pure comedy, with four Yankee teammates batting back-to-back. As though the pitchers in this league weren't already tired of facing the M&M boys. This is Mantle's 10th game, and Yogi's 14th.

It's worth noting that the middle infield for Baltimore is ridiculously talented on the defensive side of the ball. Jerry Adair and Ron Hansen should each be winning Gold Gloves this year.

As expected, the expansion Angels and Senators will not feature one of their players in the starting nine.

Norm Cash was the easy vote leader, with 1,245,757 ballots.

NATIONAL LEAGUE - STARTING LINEUP

1. 2B Tony Taylor, PHI (.302/.337/.407, 1 HR, 11 SB, 110 wRC+, 1.4 WAR) - *2*
2. 3B Ken Boyer, STL (.373/.423/.569, 12 HR, 2 SB, 172 wRC+, 4.9 WAR) - *4*
3. CF Hank Aaron, MIL (.316/.342/.596, 25 HR, 13 SB, 160 wRC+, 3.1 WAR) - *7*
4. RF Frank Robinson, CIN (.329/.404/.649, 23 HR, 9 SB, 180 wRC+, 4.5 WAR) - *4*
5. LF Wally Post, CIN (.306/.357/.535, 16 HR, 145 wRC+, 2.5 WAR) - *1*
6. SS Ernie Banks, CHC (.304/.329/.541, 22 HR, 5 SB, 138 wRC+, 5.4 WAR) - *7*
7. 1B Pancho Herrera, PHI (.305/.371/.492, 14 HR, 4 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.4 WAR) - *1*
8. C Joe Torre, MIL (.297/.341/.502, 11 HR, 2 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.3 WAR) - *1*
9. P Juan Marichal, SF (12-4, 2.50 ERA, 140.2 IP, 0.91 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 4.6 WAR) - *1*

The National League talent pool is a bit more spread out, but there's still three pairs of teammates here. Still, nothing beats four straight Yankees, right? Ernie Banks is the early NL MVP candidate here, and how about that 2-3-4 of Boyer/Aaron/Robinson?

Post, Pancho, and Marichal are all here for the first time.

Robinson lead the NL fan voting with 1,077,897 votes.

AMERICAN LEAGUE RESERVES

• SP Jim Archer, KCA (7-7, 3.05 ERA, 130 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 3.0 WAR) - *1*
• SP Hal Brown, BAL (10-5, 2.15 ERA, 142.0 IP, 0.85 WHIP, 3.0 K/9, 3.1 WAR) - *1*
• SP Jim Bunning, DET (11-4, 2.58 ERA, 136.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 4.0 WAR) - *3*
• SP Whitey Ford, NYY (7-1, 2.00 ERA, 72 IP, 0.79 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 2.1 WAR) - *7*
• SP Billy Hoeft, BAL (5-3, 2.07 ERA, 69.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 1.5 WAR) - *2*
• SP Ken McBride, LAA (7-5, 3.59 ERA, 133.0 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 1.8 WAR) - *1*
• SP Juan Pizarro, CHW (9-4, 1.99 ERA, 117.1 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 2.5 WAR) - *1*
• SP Ralph Terry, NYY (8-2, 1.74 ERA, 140 IP, 0.92 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 3.3 WAR) - *1*
• RP Rollie Sheldon, NYY (7-3, 3.40 ERA, 79.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 0.9 WAR) -*1*
• CL Luis Arroyo, NYY (5-4, 7 SV, 3.18 ERA, 34 IP, 1.47 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 1.0 WAR) - *2*
• C John Romano, CLE (.300/.383/.475, 10 HR, 147 wRC+, 3.1 WAR) - *1*
• 1B Jim Gentile, BAL (.282/.445/.568, 26 HR, 181 wRC+, 4.8 WAR) - *2*
• 1B HARMON KILLEBREW, MIN (.277/.395/.524, 22 HR, 150 wRC+, 2.7 WAR) - *2*
• 3B Bob Johnson, WSH (.267/.332/.399, 7 HR, 5 SB, 108 wRC+, 2.1 WAR) - *1*
• LF Norm Siebern, KCA (.305/.394/.500, 13 HR, 151 wRC+, 3.1 WAR) - *1*
• RF Jackie Jensen, BOS (.315/.410/.439, 6 HR, 5 SB, 139 wRC+, 3.4 WAR) - *4*
• RF Gene Woodling, WSH (.322/.427/.475, 10 HR, 155 wRC+, 3.9 WAR) - *2*

A lot of first-timers here, as is usually the case with the reserves, who frequently get honored with an All-Star nod in the middle of a career year. The Yankees have a million players here, too - they send eight players total.

Very happy to see Harmon get the nod in a loaded first base category.

Jim Bunning, the Tiger ace, is the only injured player on the roster. He sprained his elbow earlier this week against the Angels, in a game in which he struck out nine and earned his 11th win of the year. It's nothing too serious, but he certainly won't be seeing exhibition action this afternoon.

NATIONAL LEAGUE RESERVES

• SP Lew Burdette, MIL (7-4, 3.00 ERA, 129 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 3.8 K/9, 2.2 WAR) - *3*
• SP Don Cardwell, CHC (8-5, 2.76 ERA, 130.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 3.1 WAR) - *1*
• SP Bob Friend, PIT (10-6, 2.96 ERA, 140 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 4.3 WAR) - *4*
• SP Bob Gibson, STL (9-7, 2.48 ERA, 145.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 5.0 WAR) - *1*
• SP Billy O'Dell, SF (8-14, 3.16 ERA, 131 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 4.2 WAR) - *1*
• SP Jim O'Toole, CIN (10-3, 2.37 ERA, 140.1 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, 5.6 WAR) - *1*
• CL Bob Anderson, CHC (5-5, 8 SV, 2.36 ERA, 49.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 1.0 WAR) - *1*
• CL Lindy McDaniel, STL (2-4, 5.58 ERA, 30.2 IP, 1.66 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 0.2 WAR) - *2*
• CL Stu Miller, SF (2-6, 14 SV, 3.44 ERA, 52.1 IP, 1.34 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 1.1 WAR) - *1*
• C Smoky Burgess, PIT (.321/.356/.467, 274 AB, 7 HR, 131 wRC+, 2.4 WAR) - *5*
• C Ed Bailey, CIN (.318/.370/.532, 173 AB, 10 HR, 2 SB, 152 wRC+, 2.1 WAR) - *4*
• C Gene Oliver, STL (.261/.351/.498, 249 AB, 16 HR, 2 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.5 WAR) - *1*
• 3B Gene Freese, CIN (.304/.332/.510, 339 AB, 18 HR, 4 SB, 130 wRC+, 2.6 WAR) - *1*
• 3B Don Hoak, PIT (.337/.411/.503, 300 AB, 9 HR, 162 wRC+, 3.8 WAR) - *2*
• 3B Eddie Mathews, MIL (.346/.446/.586, 280 AB, 18 HR, 8 SB, 180 wRC+, 4.0 WAR) - *8*
• LF George Altman, CHC (.281/.342/.520, 327 AB, 17 HR, 9 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.0 WAR) - *1*
• LF Wally Moon, LAD (.319/.404/.451, 304 AB, 8 HR, 9 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.6 WAR) - *3*
• CF Curt Flood, STL (.331/.413/.473, 296 AB, 3 HR, 5 SB, 139 wRC+, 3.5 WAR) - *1*

A glut of talent at third base, catcher, and in the pitching department. The pitching in the National League is totally lights-out right now, and it will be up to the AL hitters to break through.

Eddie Mathews on the bench tells you all you need to know about the hot corner in the senior circuit. Eddie has more All-Star appearances than anyone else on his side.

Mel Allen and Russ Hodges are on the call today - a couple of legends in the broadcast booth. Fans can tune into NBC to watch this one shake out. The highlights here:

• TOP FIRST - The second batter of the game, 3B Ken Boyer, goes yard off Pascual to put the National League ahead.
• BOTTOM FIRST - Milwaukee catcher Joe Torre guns down Baltimore 2B Jerry Adair going for a steal of second following a one-out single.
• TOP SECOND - The NL gets two quick hits off Ken McBride, but an even quicker double play speeds the AL to a scoreless inning.
• TOP THIRD - Ken Boyer goes 2-for-2, singling Wally Moon down to third with one away. Hank Aaron brings Moon home with a sac fly, and the NL has a 2-0 lead.
• BOTTOM THIRD - Our boy Harmon gets the first pinch-hitting call for the American League. He grounds out to short.
• BOTTOM FOURTH - An Elston Howard double puts two Yankees in scoring position for Yogi, but two shallow pop-outs to center keep the AL off the board. How about this NL pitching?
• TOP SIXTH - Billy Hoeft issued a pair of two-out walks, but the NL can't extend the lead. The National League has five hits to the American League's four.
• BOTTOM SIXTH - Boston outfielder Jackie Jensen pinch-hits for his rival counterpart, Roger Maris, and hits a two-out double, but Elston Howard can't cash him in.
• BOTTOM SEVENTH - The AL gets Gene Woodling all the way to third base, but the Cubs' Bob Anderson strands the runner. The AL is now outhitting the NL, 6-5, with nothing to show for it.
• TOP EIGHTH - The NL finally gets some insurance; Frank Robinson doubles home Curt Flood. 3-0 National League.
• BOTTOM EIGHTH - Jim Gentile singles and Mickey Mantle walks; Jensen, who is 1-for-1, comes up as the tying run with two outs left to play with. But Giants reliever Stu Miller strikes him out looking, and Elston Howard fists an easy pop-up to end the threat.
• BOTTOM NINTH - Each team has managed to work everybody into the game - always fun to see. Lindy McDaniel has two outs in the ninth, and Ron Hansen up from the O's. He goes down, and the NL clinches the shutout.

NATIONAL LEAGUE - 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE - 0
WP: Don Cardwell (1-0) / LP: Camilo Pascual (0-1)

Just like that, the Midsummer Classic is over. I'll be back with this kind of coverage for the World Series, but until then, our usual at-a-glance reports will continue. It was a brilliantly-pitched game by the National League, who - as I predicted - had the pitching to quiet a group of torrid hitters.

The league won't be handing out All-Star Game MVP Awards until next season, but if they were doing so this year, Boyer gets the nod pretty easily. The Cardinal third baseman went 2-for-3 with a run and one knocked in. He was the only guy on either side with more than one hit.

As far as Twins content goes, there wasn't much to be found here. Pascual is tagged with the loss, but it was awesome to have a Minnesota man on the mound at the start of the game. Killebrew goes 0-for-1, but I bet he'll have a shot at the starting lineup within the next few years.

Congratulations to the National League! It will be interesting to see if their dominance this summer translates to the World Series later this fall...