National League Power Prevails in All‑Star Game, 5–3
Early Home Runs Build 5–0 Lead; American League Rally Falls Short
KANSAS CITY, July 11 — The National League stars struck quickly and forcefully Monday afternoon at Municipal Stadium, building a five‑run lead in the first three innings and holding on for a 5–3 victory over the American League in the opening All‑Star Game of 1960. A crowd of 30,619 endured 100‑degree heat and watched a record total of 49 players appear in the contest.
The National League’s damage came early against Boston’s Bill Monbouquette and Baltimore’s Chuck Estrada. Willie Mays opened the game with a triple and scored on Bob Skinner’s single. Ernie Banks followed later in the inning with a two‑run drive over the left‑field fence. Del Crandall added a solo home run in the second, and the fifth run scored in the third on singles by Banks, Joe Adcock, and Bill Mazeroski.
American League Rallies Late
The American League managed only one hit through five innings against Bob Friend and Mike McCormick. In the sixth, they scored an unearned run when Harvey Kuenn singled, Al Kaline reached on an error, and Nellie Fox singled to left.
Their final push came in the eighth when Kuenn reached on another error and Kaline followed with a drive over the left‑field wall. In the ninth, Jim Gentile singled and Jim Lemon walked, bringing the tying runs aboard. Vern Law relieved Bob Buhl and retired Brooks Robinson and Frank Malzone on fly balls to end the game.
National League Pitching Holds
Friend earned the victory with three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. McCormick, Elroy Face, Buhl, and Law followed in succession. The American League used Monbouquette, Estrada, Jim Coates, Gary Bell, Frank Lary, and Bud Daley.
Daley struck out the first two batters he faced in the ninth before walking Ken Boyer. Roberto Clemente then lined to Lemon at the fence to end the inning.
Defensive Highlights and Miscues
Both leagues mixed sharp defensive play with costly errors. The National League committed four errors, the American League one. Malzone made a standout stop on Crandall’s third‑inning grounder, though his throw struck umpire Nestor Chylak, preventing two runs from scoring.
Fox, Malzone, and Kuenn contributed fine defensive efforts, while several misplays kept innings alive.
Game Notes
- Banks’ home run was his first in All‑Star competition.
- Ted Williams pinch‑hit in the second inning and grounded out to loud applause.
- The National League now has 12 victories in the 28‑game series.
- The record for most players used in an All‑Star Game was broken; the previous mark was 43 in 1954.
 |  |  |