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Last Updated: February 29th, 2024 by Jake Cain

The 1962 MLB All-Star Game remains a shining moment in baseball’s storied history, a contest rich with action, a presidential pitch, and a pantheon of baseball legends. RetroSeasons brought the game’s magic to the present with their highlight reel, holding a mirror to a past where the National League triumphed in a tight contest, culminating in a 3-1 victory at the newly minted DC Stadium in Washington.

A crowd of over 45,000 fans, including President John F. Kennedy, was treated to a display of finesse and power from the era’s greatest. The anticipation was palpable as the game featured heavy-hitters like Mickey Mantle and Jim Gentile for the American League and a lineup of seasoned vets for the National League, including giants like Roberto Clemente, who entered the game with one of the hottest bats in baseball.

National League Starters

Position	Player	Team	All-Star Games
P	Don Drysdale	Dodgers	4
C	Del Crandall	Braves	10
1B	Orlando Cepeda	Giants	7
2B	Bill Mazeroski	Pirates	6
3B	Ken Boyer	Cardinals	8
SS	Dick Groat	Pirates	5
OF	Roberto Clemente	Pirates	5
OF	Tommy Davis	Dodgers	1
OF	Willie Mays	Giants	12

National League Pitchers

Position	Player	Team	All-Star Games
P	Turk Farrell	Colt .45s	2
P	Bob Gibson	Cardinals	1
P	Sandy Koufax	Dodgers	3
P	Juan Marichal	Giants	1
P	Bob Purkey	Reds	4
P	Bob Shaw	Braves	1
P	Warren Spahn[A]	Braves	15

National League Reserves

Position	Player	Team	All-Star Games
C	John Roseboro	Dodgers	4
1B	Ernie Banks	Cubs	10
2B	Frank Bolling	Braves	3
3B	Jim Davenport	Giants	1
SS	Maury Wills	Dodgers	3
OF	Hank Aaron[B]	Braves	11
OF	Felipe Alou	Giants	1
OF	Richie Ashburn	Mets	5
OF	Johnny Callison	Phillies	1
OF	Stan Musial	Cardinals	22

American League Starters

Position	Player	Team	All-Star Games
P	Jim Bunning	Tigers	5
C	Earl Battey	Twins	1
1B	Jim Gentile	Orioles	5
2B	Billy Moran	Angels	1
3B	Rich Rollins	Twins	1
SS	Luis Aparicio	White Sox	7
OF	Mickey Mantle	Yankees	14
OF	Roger Maris	Yankees	6
OF	Leon Wagner	Angels	1

American League Pitchers

Position	Player	Team	All-Star Games
P	Hank Aguirre	Tigers	1
P	Dick Donovan	Indians	4
P	Bill Monbouquette	Red Sox	3
P	Milt Pappas[A]	Orioles	1
P	Camilo Pascual	Twins	5
P	Dave Stenhouse	Senators	1
P	Ralph Terry	Yankees	1
P	Hoyt Wilhelm[B]	Orioles	6

American League Reserves

Position	Player	Team	All-Star Games
C	Elston Howard	Yankees	8
C	Johnny Romano	Indians	3
1B	Norm Siebern	Athletics	1
2B	Bobby Richardson	Yankees	3
3B	Brooks Robinson	Orioles	5
SS	Tom Tresh	Yankees	1
OF	Rocky Colavito	Tigers	5
OF	Jim Landis	White Sox	1
OF	Lee Thomas	Angels	1

The game, as documented on Wikipedia, was not only a crowd-pleaser but also marked the first presentation of the Arch Ward Trophy, adding an extra layer of prestige to the event. Maury Wills of the Los Angeles Dodgers stole the spotlight along with bases, earning him the match’s Most Valuable Player Award for his critical role in the victory.

Pitching was expected to dominate, and it did, with luminaries like Don Drysdale and Jim Bunning at the helm. Clemente’s bat crackled in the first inning, signaling the NL’s resolve, and by the third inning, Luis Aparicio’s triple hinted at the AL’s refusal to capitulate. Maury Wills’ daredevil baserunning in the sixth was the catalyst that ignited the NL’s offense.

The American League responded in the bottom of the sixth, but the National League’s consistent performance, including a pivotal eighth inning led by Wills and an insurance run cemented by Jim Davenport, showcased their strategic dominance. The NL’s pitching arsenal, anchored by Juan Marichal’s winning effort, tamed the AL sluggers, as evidenced by their solitary run on just four hits.

The game was also a testament to the resilient nature of baseball, with newcomers like Rich Rollins and Billy Moran making their All-Star debuts matter, providing a glimpse of the sport’s promising future. Rollins’ sixth-inning base hit and Moran’s follow-up single demonstrated the potential of fresh talent stepping onto the field.

The victory allowed the National League a chance to even the All-Star Series at 16 wins each, setting the stage for the next showdown at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The second All-Star Game in ’62, held at Wrigley Field, rounded out the doubleheader with the American League exacting revenge, as detailed in the video, overpowering the National League 9-4.

In an era without the internet or social media, the All-Star Game was a rare opportunity for fans from coast to coast to witness the best of the best in a head-to-head matchup. The 1962 All-Star Game encapsulated the national pastime at its peak: star power, strategic gameplay, and patriotic pageantry. It was a contest that showed the beauty of baseball, a game where every pitch can change the narrative, and every at-bat holds the potential for heroism.

This video recap serves as a stirring reminder of this classic confrontation, where legends were not just born but also cemented their status in the annals of baseball lore. It was a game that transcended the simple act of sport, becoming a touchstone for both the players who participated and the fans who watched in awe, as they witnessed a pivotal chapter in baseball history unfurl on the diamond.