The game was planned as a benefit for the family of Addie Joss, a pitcher for the Naps who died in April.

The all-stars defeated the Naps, 5–3, and the game raised $12,914 for the Joss family ($422,288 in current dollar terms).

Following Joss's death, Cleveland's management announced their plans to put on a benefit for his widow and two young children.

Addie Joss, the ace starting pitcher for the Cleveland Naps of the American League, experienced fainting spells while training for the 1911 season.

He died of tubercular meningitis on April 14, at his home in Toledo, Ohio, leaving behind his wife, Lillian, and two young children, Ruth and Norman.

[1][2] Joss's funeral took place on April 17 in Toledo, when the Naps were scheduled to play the Detroit Tigers.

[6] Charles Sommers, the owner of the Naps, began to plan an "Addie Joss Day" to benefit his family.

[11] Barnard requested that McAleer bring Germany Schaefer, the baseball comedian, to serve as a utility infielder and provide entertainment to the fans.

[3] The all-star team had Johnson, Smoky Joe Wood, and Russ Ford as the pitchers, an outfield of Cobb, Sam Crawford, Tris Speaker, and Clyde Milan, and infielders Schaefer, Eddie Collins, Home Run Baker, Hal Chase, and Bobby Wallace.

[3] In total, nine players from the game were later inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame: Cy Young and Nap Lajoie for Cleveland, Johnson, Cobb, Collins, Speaker, Crawford, Baker, and Wallace for the all-stars.

J.P. Garvey of the Plain Dealer wrote that "there was no mourning, save that the flag hung at half mast from the pole in center field.

Nap Lajoie and Ted Easterly entered the game for Cleveland in the top of the fifth inning, replacing Stovall at first base and Syd Smith at catcher, respectively.

[14] Joss's death inspired his Cleveland teammates to discuss forming a benefit association for players.