1948 Hall of Fame Game

The St. Louis Browns of the American League and the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League squared off in the seventh Hall of Fame Game on July 12, 1948.

In the game, the Browns would beat the Phillies by a score of 7-5, marking the second win for the AL in the series.

The game featured some early fireworks from both teams, as the scoring got started early. In the bottom of the first inning, Phillies second baseman Granny Hamner blasted a solo homer to start the action. The Browns answered quickly the next half inning as shortstop Eddie Pellagrini added a solo shot of his own to tie the game at 1-1.

Phillies starter Al Lakeman, a converted catcher, made his first career start and pitched well in the first six innings of the game, allowing only Pellagrini’s homer. Lakeman was staked to an early lead in the third inning, thanks to the efforts of Phillies outfielder Del Ennis.

After Browns starter Ned Garver walked two to start the frame, Ennis came up for his second at-bat of the game. With two aboard, the right fielder who would hit 30 homers for the season launched one over the left field fence to put the Phillies up 4-1.

Lakeman sailed along through the sixth before running into trouble in the seventh inning.The Browns would come back with three solo home runs in the inning from Don Lund, Bryan Stephens and Andy Anderson.

The Browns continued their scoring in the eighth, as they would come back with two more off Lakeman to take a 6-4 lead.

Anderson would add another homer in the ninth, his second of the contest, to put the game out of reach. The Phillies would score one in the ninth but ultimately fell short.

For the game, Lakeman tossed eight innings, giving up 13 hits. Browns righty Bryan Stephens, in addition to his homer, tossed five innings of one-run ball in relief of Garver to pick up the win.