January 6, 1952
Eastern All-Stars Strike Late to Take Mid-Season Classic
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Fort Richmond, Norfolk (BP) – The Eastern League All-Stars used a pair of late-inning homeruns to come from behind and capture their third-straight All-Star game. With beautiful, sunny skies and a mid-day temperature of 83F at Fort Richmond’s Generals Stadium, a packed house of 24,500 witnessed both a pitching and defensive duel for most of the afternoon. The Eastern League got on the board first when they manufactured a run off Sherburn’s Jesús Chapa in the top of the first inning. The West then took the lead in the bottom of the 5th when Kingston’s RF Mo Spenceley drove in a pair of runs off Embro’s RHP Yin-ti Shih.
But with the home-team Western All-Stars still holding onto to their 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth inning with two out, Wolseley’s rookie RHP Roberto Garza surrendered a solo home run to Brunswick’s rookie C Robert Kersey. That sent the All-Star game into extra innings for just the second time in United Leagues history.
In the top of the 10th, Balmoral’s LHP Ricardo Cruz took over and induced two ground outs before Braeland City’s LF Jesús Rodríquez came up to bat as a pinch hitter and connected for his own solo home run that gave the lead back to the East. That run proved to be the game winner as the Western League All-Stars were unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning. It was another heart-breaking loss for the Westerners, who have now lost nine of the 15 All-Star games played thus far.
“That was a tough way to lose, no question”, admitted Western League manager John Mathis, who had the distinct privilege of managing in the All-Star game on home turf.
“We came close to closing things out but couldn’t get it done. Give them credit. They never gave up and found a way to win. We didn’t.”
Although he had only one plate appearance, Player of the Game
Jesús Rodríquez made the most of it, connecting on a 371 ft. home run into the rightfield bleachers that broke the tie in extra innings and ultimately proved to be the game-winner.
“Was that neat or what”, enthused the first-time all-star, who was originally drafted by the Fort Richmond Generals and won a United Cup with them in 1947-48.
“One minute your cheering on your teammates from the dugout and the next your told to grab a bat and get in the box. You dream of those moments. I just waited for the right pitch, y’know, and fortunately I got one that hung over the plate and was able to get under it. Watching that ball sail over the fence here in my old stomping grounds is something I’ll never forget.”
Below is a summary of the notable plays of the 15th Annual All-Star Game:
Top of the 1st:
RHP Jesús Chapa starts off by striking out Cobourg’s John Medley. But he then gives up a single and a double to Brunswick’s Stuart Bentham and Cobourg’s Alexander Tolmie respectively. Queensland’s Rod Dennis then flies out to leftfield. Bentham tags up and beats out the throw from Wolseley’s Carlton Hawking to get the East on the board first.
Eastern League 1 – Western League 0
Bottom of the 5th:
Eastern League pitchers keep the Western League hitters at bay until the 5th, when Cambria’s César Ruíz leads off with a first-pitch double off Embro’s stopper Yin-ti Shih. Kingston’s Carlos Camasura then draws a four-pitch walk followed by Pulberry’s Ellis Dibble, who sac bunts the runners over 90 ft.
Kingston’s Mo Spenceley then battles Shih to a full-count before singling into the leftfield corner. Ruíz scores easily and Camasura beats out the throw from LF Rod Dennis to put the West ahead.
Eastern League 1 – Western League 2
Top of the 9th:
The West hold the Easterners at bay until the 9th. Roberto Garza starts the inning by inducing a fly out from Stratford’s Aaron Skidmore and a 6-3 ground-out by Stratford’s Sherwin Carasig. Down to their last out, Brunswick’s Robert Kersey keeps the East’s hopes alive when he connects on Garza’s second pitch, driving it 392 ft. into the rightfield bleachers.
Embro’s LHP Arthur Bence gets the West to go down in order in the bottom of the inning, sending the game into extras.
Eastern League 2 – Western League 2
Top of the 10th:
Taking over in the 10th, Balmoral’s Ricardo Cruz starts off with back-to-back ground outs by Braeland City’s On Tsao and Cobourg’s Harry Doxey. But Jesús Rodríquez slams Cruz’s second pitch into the rightfield bleachers, giving the East the lead once again.
Downie’s LHP Gavin Hewat needs just 10 pitches to get the West to go down in order in the bottom the 10th, sealing the Eastern All-Stars’ victory.
FINAL: Eastern League 3 – Western League 2
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Here are the complete All-Star rosters:
