For his participation in the 1950 All-Star Game, Joe DiMaggio chose a silver cigarette box from among the mementos offered to American League players. |
The 1950
All-Star Game, won 4-3 by the National League on a Red Schoendienst home run in
the top of the 14th inning, was the longest All-Star Game to that
point in baseball history.
Besides
being the first A-S contest to go into extra innings, the 17th
midsummer classic played at Comiskey
Park set a new high in
ticket-take of $126,179.51 on an attendance of 46,127.
Baseball
writers and fans called it the most exciting All-Star Game in the history of
the extravaganza.
Among the
post-game coverage in the July 19 Sporting News, I spotted an interesting
sidebar detailing the mementos received by the players.
According
to the article, American League players had a choice of four trophies to mark
their participation. It was reported that 80% of the American Leaguers chose a
clock-barometer, though they also had their choice of a sterling silver ice
bucket, a sterling silver cigarette box or a watch.
The
National League at that time had a “sliding scale” of trophies for its players,
depending on how many All-Star Games they been had selected for.
As a second-time All-Star in 1950, Jackie Robinson received an engraved plaque from the National League. |
First-time
All-Stars received a gold watch. Two-time participants got a plaque. Third-year
All-Stars received a silver cigarette box. The fourth time was good for a gold
tie clasp. Five-time All-Stars were given a gold belt buckle. Appearing a sixth
time was worth a silver pocket cigarette case, while a seven-time player was
awarded a gold cigarette lighter. The prevalence of cigarette smoking accouterments was an interesting reflection of the culture of the times.
The National
League had a special situation in 1950, when Boston Braves catcher Walker
Cooper appeared in his eighth All-Star Game. He was asked what he would like as
a memento. He asked for, and received, a suitably engraved shotgun.
Ted
Williams also got a special remembrance of the 1950 game . . . a cast for his
left elbow, which he broke in the first inning crashing into the left field
wall chasing down a Ralph Kiner blast. Despite the injury, Williams continued
in the game until the top of the ninth inning, by which time he had delivered
the hit that put the A.L. into a 3-2 lead that they held until Kiner’s homer
tied it in the ninth.
With
Williams out of action until Sept. 7 after his elbow was operated on, the Red Sox
finished third in the A.L.
The 1950 All-Star Game in Chicago set a record for ticket sales receipts. |
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