[1973 MLB All-Star Game]

This tape features a recap of the 1973 Major League Baseball All-Star game held in Kansas City, Missouri at Royals Stadium. We follow both the American League and National League on their quest for glory. New York Mets player and baseball legend Willie Mays makes his final All-Star appearance.

00:00Copy video clip URL This tape begin with black screen, color bars, and tone.

01:26Copy video clip URL Cut to the introductory segment for the program.

02:31Copy video clip URL Cut to footage of Royals Stadium in Kansas City, MO, the site of the 1973 MLB All-Star Game. This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the All-Star Game. Players are seen signing autographs, giving interviews, and talking with one another before the game begins.

03:51Copy video clip URL Fade into some classic footage of the early days of All-Star play. Some of the clips feature Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Stan Musial, and Sandy Koufax. Clips from this generation’s best All-Star players follow as the narrator showcases some of the various ball players involved in the game. Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Joe Gibson, and Roberto Clemente are included in the footage. The narrator also showcases some of the American League players included in the game: Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew, and Rich Robinson. The narrator then mentions nearly every player involved in the game today. We eventually see an interview with Houston Astros Manager Leo Durocher talking about Outfielder Cesar Cedeno’s possibility of becoming the next Willie Mays.

09:51Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of Yankee Stadium and Bobby Murcer, outfielder for the New York Yankees. Manager Ralph Houk talks about what Murcer brings to the team. This eventually cuts into a segment on Pitcher Nolan Ryan. Frank Robinson of the Los Angeles Angels comments on Ryan’s pitching prowess.

12:18Copy video clip URL Cut to a segment on San Francisco Giants outfielder Bobby Bonds. MLB legend Hank Aaron comments on Bonds’ talent and refers to him as the “most complete ball player in the Major Leagues.” Cincinnati Reds Manager Sparky Anderson comments on Bonds’ ability as well.

13:44Copy video clip URL Cut to the beginning of the game. There is a brief tribute to the late Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder Roberto Clemente, who had recently died in a plane crash.

14:09Copy video clip URL Fade into a shot of Atlanta Braves Outfielder Hank Aaron at bat in the second inning against Oakland A’s pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter. Aaron pops out to the infield. Billy Williams of the Chicago Cubs gets a base hit on the next at bat. Hunter breaks his thumb trying to make the play. Oakland A’s pitcher Ken Holtzman replaces Hunter on the mound. Cincinnati Reds player Johnny Bench gets on base.  Ron Santo of the Chicago Cubs gets a base hit and moves Bench to scoring position. The American League gets the third out of the inning shortly afterwards. The game is currently scoreless.

15:50Copy video clip URL St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Rick Wise throws against Oakland’s Reggie Jackson leading off the bottom of the second. Jackson hits double. Jackson eventually scores on a base hit off a hit from Amos Otis of the Kansas City Royals making the score 1-0 in favor of the American League. In the next inning, the National League takes the lead 2-1 off of a number of base hits from Cesar Cedeno and Hank Aaron. In the top of the fourth inning, Johnny Bench hits a home run to left field giving the National League a 3-1 lead. Bobby Bonds also hits a two run home run to extend the lead to 5-1.

21:50Copy video clip URL Pitcher Don Sutton of the L.A. Dodgers quickly gathers three outs to end the inning. L.A. Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan takes the mound for the American League in the top of the sixth. L.A. Dodgers Outfielder Willie Davis hits a home run off of Ryan to make the score 7-1. In the top of the eighth, Willie Mays of the NY Mets makes his final All-Star appearance. The crowd goes wild and gives Mays a standing ovation. Mays eventually strikes out. In the final inning, Jim Brewer of the L.A. Dodgers throws two consecutive strikeouts to end the game.

27:06Copy video clip URL Bobby Bonds is named All-Star MVP. Hank Aaron comes closer to breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record, and Willie Mays says a tearful goodbye in his last All-Star appearance. The credits begin to roll shortly after.

29:12Copy video clip URL Tape ends