Negro League Baseball Discussion Forum: General Discussion About The Negro Leagues: All Stars
By Richard Gibson (Mr_red) on Wednesday, June 16, 1999 – 12:15 pm:
I was wondering how players were selected to play in the East-West All-Star games. Were they voted on by fans, reporters, other players? Does anyone know?
Thanks,
Rich
By Forum Administrator (Admin) on Wednesday, June 16, 1999 – 12:43 pm:
The All-Stars were selected by the team owners and managers. In large part the selections were based on fan appeal (i.e., which players would be more likely to put a great number of fans in the stands). So, the more popular players seemed to make it onto the all-star squads even if they weren't having a terrific year.
That is not to say that the selected players were not reasonably representative of the best in the league at any given time. The pitchers in today's Major League All-Star Game are selected by the managers, and this has given rise to considerable controversy. So, I am sure that there was considerable controversy surrounding some of the selections made to the East-West All Star Game…particularly among the fans.
I don't recall having read about any complaints from players who were "passed by" in the player selections. However, I do remember Verdell Mathis telling me that when he made his first trip to the All Star game as a young player it was against the wishes of the Memphis Red Sox owner. The Red Sox manager, Reuben Jones, insisted that Mathis participate in the game. Management felt that sending him to the game might cause him to get a "big head" and, perhaps, demand more money the following season.
By Agentmojo (Agentmojo) on Wednesday, November 1, 2000 – 09:11 pm:
I recently came into possession of an old photo of the players from an East-West All Star game played at Comiskey Park, Chicago. The score was East 2-West 4. There is no date. Could someone please provide me with some information on this photo? I would like to be able to know where to go to identify the players. Thanks
By Clove38 (Clove38) on Friday, February 23, 2001 – 10:06 pm:
I HAVE THE SAME PHOTO THAT AGENTMOJO HAS THE ONE THE THE EAST/WEST ALL STAR GAME, COULD ANYONE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION?