The first official All-Star Game was held in conjunction
with the 1933 Chicago World Fair. The concept was originally
thought of by the sports editor for The Chicago Tribune,
Arch Ward.
It was conceived to be an exhibition game played between
the best players in baseball at that time.
The executives of Major League Baseball pre-determine
the venue for upcoming All-Star Games. The host city traditionally
alternates every year between an A.L. and N.L. team.
The designated hitter rule only applies to those games
hosted by A.L. teams.
The managers for each team are those that managed the
World Series teams in the previous season.
Each team consists of 32 players. The starting players
are chosen by the fans. As of 2005, the players themselves
voted on pitchers and one additional player per position.
The Commissioner's Office along with the managers selects
31 players per team. They will also compile a list of five
additional players, one of whom is voted for by the fans.
Between 1935 and 1946, it was the responsibility of the
All-Star manager to select the players.
The 1945 All-Star Game, scheduled to be played at Fenway
Park in Boston, was cancelled because of WWII.
In 1947, fans were responsible to vote on the eight starters.
In 1957, the fans of the host Cincinnati Reds stuffed
the ballot boxes and unfairly elected a member of the Reds
to play every position on the N.L. team. As a result, Commissioner
Frick disallowed several of the votes and removed the fans'
right to vote.
From 1958 - 1969, the voting of All-Star players was
left up to the players, coaches and managers.
From 1959-1962, two All-Star Games were held each year.
The monies raised by the second game were allocated to
the players' pension fund.
In 1961, the first tied All-Star Game in history was
played. It ended in the 9th inning 1-1, because of rain.
In 1970, the Commissioner returned the right to vote
back to the fans.
Since 1985, the All-Star game has turned into an All-Star
Weekend. The Home Run Derby contest was introduced in 1985.
In 1999, the All-Star Weekend concept grew even bigger
with the introduction of the All-Star Futures Game.
In 2002, the game ended in a tie in the 11th inning when
both teams ran out of pitchers. This was the second All-Star
Game to end in a tie, 7-7.
The 2006 All-Star Game is scheduled to take place in
Pittsburgh.
Detroit and Briggs Stadium will host the 2007 All-Star
Game.
