The City of Detroit was celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding in 1701 and requested to host the year's All-Star Game.

Long-time Tigers player and broadcaster Harry Heilmann died at age 56 in Detroit the day prior to the game.

A moment of silence was observed in Heilmann's memory prior to the game's start.

Chico Carrasquel became the first Latin American player in Major League history to start in an All-Star game.

[2] Players in italics have since been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.