1956 East-West Game (Negro League)

The 1956 East-West Game, played August 12, 1956, was the 29th East-West Game, and marked the game's 24th year. Reported attendance was 8,567, the lowest for an East-West Game to that point. The NAL again consisted of four teams this year. The West team was made up of 23 players from the Kansas City Monarchs and Memphis Red Sox, while the 22 East team players were from the Birmingham Black Barons and Detroit Stars.

The East team won, 11-5, breaking a four-game streak by the West team. The West still maintained a 16-13 edge in the series overall.

Detroit Stars pitcher Willie Harris started and earned the win for the East team, while Memphis Red Sox pitcher Ace Robinson started and took the loss for the West team. Unlike the previous season’s game, in which both teams were held to a total of two runs and four hits, the East Stars outdoing that total in the top of the first, scoring three runs on four hits. They chased Robinson in the third with three more runs, and were leading 7-0 before the West got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Veterans Willie Ivory (Detroit) and Otha Bailey (Birmingham) were the offensive stars of the game with two hits each, while Willie Harris was the pitching star with three scoreless innings. Monarchs pitcher Enrique Maroto was a surprise starter in centerfield, and led the West Stars with two hits.