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is a vintage 1956 official All-Star game ballot,
"To be played Tuesday, July 10, 1956 at Griffith
Stadium, Washington, D.C." Between 1933, and 1958
ballots were printed up by local newspapers, and
publications to make it easier for the fans to vote.
This ballot was printed by the Chicago
Tribune and features eight baseball positions
(except the pitcher) for each the American League, and
National League.
In 1933
Arch Ward, the sports editor of the Chicago Tribune, put together the first
All-Star Game as a part of Chicago's Exposition that year.
The All-Star Game managers selected the entire lineups from 1933 to 1946.
Starting in 1947 the fans were entrusted with selection of the starting
lineups until 1957 when the Cincinnati Reds fans stuffed
the ballot box and selected 7 Reds and Stan Musial. The Cincinnati Enquirer had printed up pre-marked
ballots and distributed them with the Sunday newspaper to make it easy for Reds fans to vote often.
Commissioner Ford Frick stepped in to replace two of the
Cincinnati starters and, in 1958, balloting was taken
away from the fans and given to major league players,
coaches, and managers. Voting was restored to the fans
in 1970 and has been entrusted to them ever since.
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