This was the 40th Anniversary of the All-Star Game and Major League Baseball invited all the living players from 1933 Midsummer Classic, twenty of the players attended. The Midsummer Classic was played on July 24, 1973 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, 40,849 fans attended the Midsummer Classic. The game was special as it marked the final All-Star appearance of Willie Mays who many consider to be the greatest all-round performer in All-Star history. During his twenty-four appearances, he hit .307, had twenty three hits, including three home runs, three triples and two doubles. More than just a threat at the plate, he was also responsible for many highlights on the field with spectacular defensive play. Players from the 1933 Midsummer Classic Game who attended included Carl Hubbell, Bill Hallahan, Lefty Gomez, Dick Bartel, Lefty Grove, Joe Cronin, Jimmie Dykes and Charlie Gehringer. The American League started out in the lead, but was unable to hold onto it. During the second inning, Billy Williams hit a hard liner back to the pitcher [Catfish Hunter] and fractured the ace’s right thumb.

Trailing 1-0 in the third, the National League scored two runs and went on scoring steadily and modestly through the sixth, building the 7-1 lead. Bobby Bonds entered the game during the fourth inning to replace starter Billy Williams, then proceeded to smack a two run homer during his first at-bat in the fifth inning off California’s Bill Singer, as National League earned the victory. Many fans felt that the All-Star Game was becoming too predictable once again and many of their favorite regulars had begun to retire. At the completion of the 1973 Midsummer Classic, an All-Star record fifty-four players were used by both clubs. This was the first Midsummer Classic held at Royals Stadium in Kansas City. Back to the first All-Star Game played in 1933, the National League now leads the American League 25-18 with one tie. Bobby Bonds secured the Most Valuable Player Award in the seventh inning when he ran out a lazy single for a very exciting double. The National League won 7-1 against American League.