The LuLac Edition #2691, July 7th, 2014

PHILLIES @ 50

Fifty years ago this afternoon, the National League scored a come from behind victory over the American League in New York at the newly minted Shea Stadium. The game winning home run came from Phillie Johnny Callison who hit a monster home run off Red Sox hurler Dick Radatz.
From the Baseball Almanac:
The 1964 All-Star Game has been described as one of the most exciting ever as the National League came from behind to win in a dramatic ninth-inning rally.
Red Sox ace Dick Radatz was on the mound and had already thrown two hitless innings. Willie Mays, in a tough at-bat, got the walk and then stole second. Orlando Cepeda followed with a soft looper to right field scoring Mays due to a bad Joe Pepitone throw to the plate. Two quick outs and a walk later, Johnny Callison hammered a fast ball into the right field stands scoring three runs, giving the Nationals their sixth win in seven games and finally evening up the series.
It was a Phillies affair with starters Jim Bunning and Chris Short doing the pitching with Turk Farrell, Juan Marichal and Don Drysdale.
Years later when I met Callison he felt this was the high point of his career. He also told me that had the Phillies won that ’64 pennant he would have been the National League MVP instead of the Cardinals Ken Boyer. Callison felt that would have changed the trajectory of his career.

Me and Johnny Callison at the 1964 Phillies 20 year reunion at the Vet in 1984. (Photo: Ned Rowan).

At the All Star break, the Phillies were 47-28 and in first place in the National League.