1973 Topps All Star Cards : The Managers

Managing his first All Star game since 1961, Danny Murtaugh remained undefeated. Interestingly, all 3 games he managed were tied up at the end of regulation. In the 1st All Star game of 1961 he led the NL to a 5-4 victory in 10 innings. In the 2nd All Star game of 1961 the teams were knotted at 1 run after 9 inning when the game was called for rain. It was the only All Star game to end in a tie until Bud Selig called off the 2002 All Star game after 11 innings. The 1972 game went into the 10th inning before the NL broke the 3-3 tie with a walk off single by Joe Morgan.

Appearing as manager in his 3rd consecutive All Star game, Earl Weaver fought the good fight. In an era in which the NL has dominated All Star play, Weaver was no push-over. From 1963-1982 the AL had only won 1 game. That was in 1971 with Weaver at the helm. Book-ending that victory, Weaver's AL All Stars took the NL to extra inning in 1970 and 1972 before ultimately falling.

1972 Topps All Star Cards : The Managers

In the 20 All Star games from 1963-1982 the American League lost 19 of them and took 4 of them to extra frames before falling to the NL. In the 3 games from 1970-1972 with Earl Weaver at the helm, the AL took the NL into extra innings in 1970 and 1972 before falling, and came out on top in a slugfest that featured 6 round-trippers. Every one of them came off the bats of future Hall of Famers; Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and Johnny Bench for the NL, Harmon Killebrew, Reggie Jackson and the games MVP Frank Robinson.

The 1971 All Star game was first that Sparky Anderson has appeared in as a player, or coach or manager. This despite the fact that the 1970 game was played in his home stadium, the spanking new Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. He would Manage 5 All Star teams going 3-2 lifetime. 1971 was his only loss as a manager of the NL his other loss would be in the dugout for the AL in 1985.

1971 Topps All Star Cards : The Managers

1971 Topps Gil Hodges All-Star

Gil Hodges was one of the few managers I can recall that came to a team via the trade. He was aquired by the Mets in a trade that sent pitcher Bill Denehy to the Washingtin Senators. Most recently Ozzie Guillen was "traded" to the Marlins by the White Sox. Before that Lou Piniella went to the Rays in a trade that sent Randy Winn to the Mariners and in the 70's the A's Charlie Finley traded Chuck Tanner to the Pirates for an aging Manny Sanguillen.

1971 Topps Earl Weaver All-Star

In his 1st of 4 All Star games as a manager, Weaver took the NL to 12 innings before losing 5-4. In 1971 he would lead the AL to their only All Star victory from 1963-1983. In 1972 he would take the NL into extra innings again before losing again. If he were a hockey coach he would be 1-1-2 getting 4 out of 8 possible points.

Earl Weaver & Stan Musial

The baseball world mourns the loss of 2 Hall of Famers today. 

Earl Weaver Managed the Baltimore Orioles from 1968-1982 then again in 1985 and 1986.

Stan Musial played 22 seasons for the Cardinals and appeared in 24 All Star Games.