The 1961 Midsummer Classic Game number one was played on July 11, 1961 , at Candlestick Park , San Francisco , California . During the tenth inning of All-Star game number one, the American League took the lead when Ken Boyer made a throwing error which allowed Nellie Fox to score all the way from first base. In the bottom of the tenth inning, the National League came back on an All-Star rally: Hank Aaron singled, Willie Mays doubled, and Roberto Clemente singled and brought home both game winning runs. This was the second Midsummer Classic played in California , [the first was the 1959 All-Star Game] and the first played in San Francisco . Several accounts of this game mention the wind in Candlestick Park as a factor that led to the American League tying the game and the National League eventually winning it. Despite two years mixed reactions from the fans, the League decided to maintain the doubleheader format splitting the games between two of the most popular ballparks; Candlestick and Fenway. This would turnout to be one of the most exciting and historical seasons in baseball, the legend Babe Ruth's incredible sixty-homerun record was legitimately under attack by Yankee teammates, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

The National League maintained a 3-1 lead into of the ninth only to have the American League tie the score as Candlestick's trademark winds began to kick up. Norm Cash doubled with one out against Roy Face. Al Kaline singled home pinch-runner Nelson Fox. Roy Face was replaced by Sandy Koufax, who gave up a single to Roger Maris that put runners on first and second. Stu Miller came in to Face Rocky Colavito. As Miller prepared to pitch to Colavito, a gust caused him to balk, advancing runners to second and third with one out. Colavito hit a grounder to third and Ken Boyer fumbled the ball. Kaline tied it and then the National League got out of the inning. With the wind still extremely fierce in the tenth, the National League came back against Hoyt Wilhelm. Hank Aaron singled, went to second on a passed ball and tied it on Willie Mays's double. The wind blew a Wilhelm Knuckleball into Frank Robinson, putting runners at first and second. Roberto Clemente singled to right, scoring Mays with the winner. In the 1961 All-Star Game one the National League defeated the American League 5-4 score in the tenth.