1962 All-Star pairs

The first members of the Los Angeles Angels to start in an All-Star Game were outfielder Leon Wagner and second baseman Billy Moran in 1962. What some may not know was that there were two All-Star games in 1962, one in Washington DC and one in Chicago at Wrigley Field. Both Leon and Billy started both games. In game one, President John F. Kennedy threw out the first pitch and would share some words with an older but still All-Star caliber Stan Musial.

 

 "A couple years ago they told me I was too young to be president and you (Stan Musial) were too old to be playing baseball. But we fooled them." - President John F. Kennedy

The first game the National League won 3-1 on the pitching of Don Drysdale and Juan Marichal while Maury Wills picked up the MVP. It was the first All-Star Game MVP given out, and Wills entered the game in the 6th inning.

Game 2 at Wrigley was a whole different ball game with the American League winning 9-4. Four home runs were hit in the game including one by Leon Wagner in the 4th inning off Art Mahaffey in the 4th inning landing Wagner the MVP in Chicago. This would be the last win in the All-Star battle for the AL for the next decade.

Ryne Duren and Ken McBride were named to the All-Star team in 1961, but neither appeared in the game that year.