1973 Topps All Star Cards - American League East

In the AL East, I once again get to utilize the Manager/Coaches format for the Team All Star cards. Freehan was the starting catcher in the 1972 All Star Game. Joe Coleman made his only ASG in 1972 but never left the bullpen. Lolich pitched 2 scoreless inning for the AL. Norm Cash came in to relieve Dick Allen and struck out in his only at bat.

Yaz was not the only Boston Red Sox elected to the All Star team. Aparicio was also picked to start but had to sit out due to injury. 1972 Rookie of the Year Carlton Fisk singled and scored on Cookie Rojas's 8th inning homer. Reggie Smith struck out pinch hitting for Gaylord Perry.

The Orioles had 3 starters plus the All Star Manager. Pat Dobson and Dave McNally were reserves. Dobson never saw action but McNally got the loss by giving up a walk a sacrifice bunt and a single in the 10th inning.

Bobby Murcer was the Yankees' sole representative in the 1972 ASG. These were dark times for Yankees fans. It had been 10 years since their last World Series Championship and it would be another 5 years until their next. My heart bleeds. Call me when you get to 106 years.

According to Baseball-Reference there were 3 blown saves in the 1972 ASG. The first belonging to the Indians only All Star, Gaylord Perry who gave up a 2 run homer to Hank Aaron. 

In their 3rd year of existence the Brewers had one player representing them in each ASG. In 1972 it was Ellie Rodriguez who never saw action. In 1971 it was pitcher Marty Pattin who didn't leave the bullpen. Tommy Harper was still the only Brewer to see action in an All Star Game. He was a pinch runner in 1970 and was promptly caught stealing.

1973 Topps All Star Cards : American League Battery

In his 2nd All Star start, Jim Palmer gave up 1 hit and 1 walk in 3 innings. He also helped at the plate advancing battery-mate Freehan on a bunt. Freehan scored on a Rod Carew single.

Bill Freehan had been the starting catcher for the American League All Stars since 1966. But with the 1970 Rookie of the Year, Thurman Munson and the 1972 Rookie of the year, Carlton Fisk coming up behind him, 1972 would be his last start behind the plate.

1972 Topps All Star Cards : The Battery

For the first and only time (still) both All Star starting pitchers were African-American. Vida Blue was having an insane year in 1971. He clinched the Cy Young and MVP for the AL. He led the league in ERA and shutouts and came in second in wins and strikeouts. In the all Star game he gave up 3 earned runs in 3 innings on 2 homers. Johnny bench hit a 2-run homer in the 2nd and Hank Aaron soloed in the 3rd.

Doc Ellis fared about the same in the All Star game. After going nearly unscathed in the first 2 innings, he gave up 4 runs on 2 homers in the 3rd and was saddled with a loss in his only All Star appearance.

In his 6th consecutive All Star start, Bill Freehan handled the catching duties for 7 innings before turning them over to Thurman Munson. Always the workhorse, Freehan led the league with 144 games behind the plate for the Tigers in 1971.

1971 was an in-between year for Johnny Bench. He was the NL MVP in 1970 and 1972. For 1971 he would have to be content with his 3rd straight All Star start and his 4th straight Gold Glove. In the game he went 2 for 4 with a single and a 2 run homer.

1971 Topps All Star Cards : American League Battery

1971 Topps Jim Palmer All-Star

1970 was Jim Palmer's 1st All Star game. He would pitch in 6 All Star games over his career starting in 4 of them. In 1970, both he and NL starter Seaver began the game with 3 scoreless innings. Palmer gave up a walk and a single in the 2nd but stranded the runners then mowed down Rusty Staub, Willie Mays and Dick Allen in order in the 3rd.

1971 Topps Bill Freehan All-Star

Bill Freehan was selected to the All Star team 11 times in his 15 year career. He was the starting All Star catcher 7 consecutive seasons from 1966-1972. He lined out to center in his only at bat in 1970. In the bottom of the 5th he was replaced by Ray Fosse. 

1967 Topps All Star Cards : American League Battery

1967 Topps Denny McLain All Star

Denny McLain pitched 3 perfect innings to start the 1966 All Star game. He struck out Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Joe Torre. On offense he had the only strike out recorded by N.L. starter, Sandy Koufax.

1967 Topps Bill Freehan All Star

The American league only scored one run in the 1966 All Star game but nobody was awarded the RBI.  Brooks Robinson had tripled with 1 out in the 2nd inning, then scored on a wild pitch with Bill Freehan at bat.