Ken McBride was a family friend, my grandpa was a friend, classmate and teammate at Cleveland’s West HS. In fact, my grandpa got an offer from the Indians, but he chose to join the Army shortly after the Korean War armistice was signed. Obviously Ken’s career went much further. Newspapers called Ken one of the classiest players in the AL, and that class extended well past his playing career. Ken owned a construction company in Cleveland, and every year we were treated with first base line tickets at Cleveland Stadium. Last time I saw him was at my grandpa’s funeral, we sat and talked baseball for a time.

This was my introduction to George Bryson’s broadcasting skills. I enjoyed him tremendously. He was precise and humorous. His accent had a bit of Garagiola in it. He is only referenced in passing on page 328 of Curt Smith’s iconic “Voices of the Game”. That’s a shame. Based on what I heard during this game, he deserved more than just a single mention.

Although only 9 I sure remember their 1963 infield that started this game. Boyer, Groat, Javier, and Bill White. They came up a little short versus the Dodgers in 1963 and won the WS in 1964. The 1963 season was the last for Stan Musial who was like the king of the town in St. Louis.

I figured I knew a little about MLB in the early 1960s, but the AL starting lineup in this game caught me short. Albie Pearson, Frank Malzone, Leon Wagner, Earl Battey, and starting pitcher Ken McBride were all factory-fresh names to me.

They used to say at that time, keep those cards and letters (or for you those oldies but goodies) coming, Karl! It's the last All-Star Game to date with no players from the team hosting it (Cleveland Indians, 1963) appearing in the game--search it on Wikipedia or baseball-reference.com for more! I now understand there'll be another ASG game in Cleveland in two years!

Martin I think the only player on that played for the Indians was Mud Cat Grant ,you are right he did not play. The players voted that year, but the managers picked the pitchers.I remember Ken Hubbs was picked,but he could not play because he had a tooth pulled,he even missed the cross town classic between Cubs vs. White Sox and it shows on record he was never mentioned.

In mentioning Ken Hubbs on the reply, you should remember that a tragic ending followed. He took a plane ride in Utah in 1964, but shouldn't have. There was a problem with the plane, and it ended in the wrong direction which claimed Mr. Hubbs himself and he was found dead there on February 13th, making it unlucky. Cleveland hosts the All-Star Game next year (2019)!

52:28 Ken McBride - All-Star Game hit by an AL pitcher

Bob Neal (PBP) 1st half George Bryson (PBP) 2nd half

Umpires HP Hank Soar (AL) (CC) (4th) 1B Bill Jackowski (NL) (3rd) 2B Al Smith (AL) (2nd) 3B Paul Pryor (NL) (1st) LF Bill Haller (AL) (1st) RF Doug Harvey (NL) (1st)

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