It was the last baseball game ever played at the Polo Grounds in New York City, but few baseball fans today know about it.
One week after the conclusion of the 1963 season on Oct. 12, 1963 Major League Baseball held its first and only Hispanic All-Star Game.
The game featured a roster of several future Hall of Famers; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Luis Aparicio of Venezuela was in the American League’s lineup while San Francisco Giants first baseman Orlando Cepeda, Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente, both of Puerto Rico, and Giants’ pitcher Juan Marichal of the Dominican Republic were on the National League team.
In a stadium that could fit 55,000, only 14,235 attended the game.
Despite the small attendance, and even smaller media coverage, the players enjoyed themselves.
“That was a great idea and we had a great time,” Cepada told Amanda Rykoff of The Outside Corner.
Three-time batting champion Tony Oliva, American League Most Valuable Player Zoilo Versalles, seven-time Gold Glove Award winner Vic Power and future pinch hitting specialist Manny Mota appeared in the game.