On July 8, 1958, third year pitcher Dick (Turk) Farrell (8-9, 3.35 ERA, S11) entered the 1958 All Star Game, played in Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, in the 7th inning.

 Baseball library records that;

The 6′4″ 215-lb Farrell lost his major league debut as a starter in 1956, then relieved in his next 258 appearances. He overpowered hitters with his sinking fastball and led the NL with ten relief wins his rookie 1957 season with Philadelphia. 

Despite the National League’s losing the 1958 All Star game to the American League by a 4-3 score in a game with no homers or extra base hits, Farrell pitched the final 2 innings for the National League closing out the game in memorable style.

Centerfielder Mickey Mantle (42 HRs, 97 RBIs, .304 BA) opened with a walk.  Rightfielder Jackie Jensen (35 HRs, 122 RBIs, .286 BA) struck out looking.  AL pitcher Billy O’Dell (14-11, 2.97 ERA, 12 CG) who shut down the NL over the last 3 innings sacrificed Mantle to 2nd base.  1st baseman  Bill Skowron (14 HRs, 73 RBIs, .273 BA) then struck out to end the 7th inning.

In the 8th inning, 3rd baseman Frank Malzone (15 HRs, 87 RBIs, .295 BA) led off the inning taking a called 3rd strike.  Catcher Yogi Berra (22 HRs, 90 RBIs, .266 BA) grounded out shortstop to first base.  Leftfielder Ted Williams (26 HRs, 85 RBIs, .328 BA) struck out ending the 8th inning for the American League.

There you have it.  Farrell struck out 4 of the 7 batters he faced in an awesome pitching display.  But the Phillies of 1958 would finish last in the National League despite a career year by centerfielder Richie Ashburn (215 hits, .350 BA), a fine 2nd year in the major by leftfielder Harry (the Horse) Anderson (23 HRs, 97 RBIs, .301 BA), Robin Roberts’ (17-14, 3.24 ERA, 21 CG, 270 SO) comeback year and a fine rookie year by pitcher Ray Semproch (13-11, 12 CG). 

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This entry was posted on Saturday, July 8th, 2006 at 7:03 pm and is filed under All Time Baseball Highlights, All Time Pitching Highlights. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.