Philadelphia hosted the 1952 All-Star Game, marking the second midsummer classic played at Shibe Park. The contest remains the only All-Star Game shortened because of rain since the exhibition began in 1933.
Jackie Robinson homered in the opening frame for the National League off American League starter Vic Raschi. The American League jumped ahead with a pair of runs in the fourth via back-to-back singles by Eddie Robinson and Bobby Avila off Bob Rush to give the AL a 2-1 lead. Hank Sauer answered for the NL in the fifth, drilling a two-run homer that proved to be the difference in a 3-2 NL rain-shortened victory.
Phillies' ace Curt Simmons started for the NL and tossed three innings, surrendering one hit while whiffing three.
Bobby Shantz of the Philadelphia Athletics also shined on the mound, sitting down Whitey Lockman, Robinson, and Stan Musial all on strikes with just 13 pitches in one inning of work.
"If Simmons isn't the best pitcher around. then I don't know who is unless it's Shantz," Robinson told the Philadelphia Inquirer afterward. " I don't think [Hank] Bauer ever saw that fastball he struck out on."
The 1952 All-Star Game featured 21 Hall of Famers between the two clubs. The game also marked the first career selections for Mickey Mantle and Satchel Paige, though neither appeared in the contest.
Twenty years later, on August 19, 1972, the Phillies celebrated the 1952 All-Star Game with an Old-Timers game that included several players from the original contest. The exhibition resumed in the sixth inning with the American League Old-Timers falling, 8-3.
Philadelphia wouldn't host another All-Star Game until 1976.
