Editor’s note: Throughout this year Press Room Pass will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 baseball season with a variety of stories from the covering personal accomplishments, unique moments, major league expansion and the amazing New York Mets. This is the first installment of that series.
The Sporting News began selecting one post-season all-star team in 1925. By 1961, the magazine was choosing a team for each league.
The 1969 squad for the American League was led by Most Valuable Player Harmon Killebrew of Minnesota.
Here’s a look at the full squad:
1B – Boog Powell (Baltimore) finished second in the MVP voting behind Killebrew as he hit 37 homers and knocked in 121 runs with a .304 batting average for the Orioles, who won 109 games during the regular season.
2B – Rod Carew (Minnesota) was in his third big league season with the Twins and he won his first of seven batting title with a .332 average. He stole home seven times to tie 1946 mark set by Brooklyn’s Pete Reiser.
3B – Harmon Killebrew (Minnesota) was one of the most feared hitters in 1969. He won his sixth home run title with 49 long balls, while topping the league with 140 RBI. He also led the AL in walks with 145 and tied for lead in intentional passes with 20.
SS – Rico Petrocelli (Boston) made his second of two all-star game appearances in 1969 as he blasted a career-high 40 homers and knocked in 97 runs.
OF – Frank Howard (Washington) finished with a career-high 48 homers just one behind Killebrew for the league lead. He had 111 RBI to go with a .296 batting average, which was his career best that he also accomplished 1961 and 1962 with the Los Angels Dodgers.
OF – Paul Blair (Baltimore) made his first of two all-star appearances and won a Gold Glove for the Orioles as he helped them to the AL pennant. He had 26 homers, 76 RBI and 20 stolen bases, while leading the league with 13 sacrifice bunts.
OF – Reggie Jackson (Oakland) was selected for for his first of 14 all-star games with career-high totals of 47 homers and 118 RBI. He led the AL in slugging percentage at .608, which was also a career best. He also tied for the AL lead with Killebrew with 20 intentional walks.
C – Bill Freehan (Detroit) earned his fifth and final Gold Glove in 1969. He had 16 homers and 49 RBI for the Tigers and played in his sixth of 11 all-star games.
P – Mike Cuellar (Baltimore) was with his fourth team when he was traded to the Orioles prior to the 1969 season. He shared the Cy Young award with Denny McLain after posting a 23-11 record and a 2.38 ERA. Started and won the first game of the World Series 4-1 over the New York Mets as he tossed a complete game with eight strikeouts.
P – Denny McLain (Detroit) won his second straight Cy Young award as he and Cuellar tied for the most votes. McLain backed up is 31-8 1968 campaign with a AL best 24-9 record. He topped the league with 41 starts and nine shutouts, while making his third and final all-star game roster.