The American League won the 1941 All-Star on a Ted Williams home run in the bottom of the 9th inning.
The game was played in Detroit at Briggs Stadium. Going into the bottom of the 8th inning the American League trailed 5-2 when Joe DiMaggio doubled off of Claude Passeau and scored on an his brother Dom’s RBI single.
Eddie Smith held the National League scoreless in the top of the 9th. Down by two in the bottom of the 9th, Passeau was back on the mount to close the game out for the Nationals. Frankie Hayes led off and was out on a pop fly to 2nd. Then Ken Keltner came in to pinch hit for Smith and reached on an infield hit to the shortstop. Keltner moved to 2nd on Joe Gordon’s single to right. Cecil Travis walked to load the bases. Joe DiMaggio hit what should have been a game-ending double play ball to the National League’s second baseman, Billy Herman; but Herman’s throw to first base was wide, and DiMaggio was able to reach as Travis was forced out at 2nd. Meanwhile Gordon went to third and Keltner scored. Then Williams came to bat with two outs and runners at the corners. He hit a homer into the right field stands and the American League All Stars walked off with a 7-5 win.
Williams went into the All-Star break batting .405. After a July 19 doubleheader his average fell to .393, but by July 25 he was back up to .400. For the rest of the season he stayed above .400 and his final average was .406. Since 1941, no Major League player has batted .400 for an entire season, although Williams did come close in 1957, when at the age of 39 he hit .388.
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