It was the MLB All-Star break in 1964, and Philadelphia had the baseball world in its pocket.

The Phillies had a 47-28 record and a 1.5-game lead at the break, and they would send pitchers Jim Bunning, Chris Short and outfielder Johnny Callison to the classic.

Well, we all know what happened to the Phillies during the season. From the All-Star break, they went 42-43 and lost 12 of their last 15 games, accenting their legendary collapse.

But do you know who the MVP was of the 1964 game, and the only Phillie to ever gain the honor? It was Callison, who launched a walk-off, three-run homer that gave the National League a 7-4 victory. It has been considered one of the better games in the series.

In this week’s version of my Behind the Plate column — investigating past and present trends with the Phillies, Mets and Yankees as well as the overall game — I’ll look back at the 1964 game, as well as some Phillies’ highlights from the Midsummer Classic.

When It Was ’64 ... The 1964 game was played at Shea Stadium, and it featured an NL lineup of Roberto Clemente, Dick Groat, Billy Williams, Orlando Cepeda, Ken Boyer, Joe Torre (catcher), Ron Hunt and pitcher Don Drysdale. Think about having Sandy Koufax, Juan Marichal, Hank Aaron and Willie Stargell on your bench.

Future Phillies’ skipper and then Angel Jim Fregosi led off at shortstop for the American League. Their Nos. 2-4 hitters were Tony Oliva, Mickey Mantle and Harmon Killebrew. The Angels’ Dean Chance — who went 20-9 with a 1.65 ERA during the season — was the AL starter.

Bunning relieved Drysdale in the fourth and allowed two hits with four strikeouts over two innings. Short was touched for two runs and three hits in the sixth. Marichal gained the victory, as he retired the side in order in the ninth.

The NL won the 1963 game by a 5-3 score, but they fell by a 9-4 deficit in 1962 when Art Mahaffey took the loss.

Callison ended the 1964 season with 31 homers, 104 RBIs and a .274 average. Bunning was 19-8 with a 2.63 ERA, and Short went 17-9 with a 2.20 ERA. A then 18-year-old Rick Wise was 5-3, 4.40, and then 29-year-old Dallas Green was 2-1, 5.79. Both of them worked from the bullpen.

Quiet at Home ... Over the years, numerous Phillies have played in the All-Star Game, but few have made a major impact. The Phils have hosted the game in 1943, 1952, 1976 and 1996. They will host the 2026 version again.

In 1943, the game was held at Shibe Park, and Babe Dahlgren didn’t play in a 5-3 AL win. Nine years later, the game was back at Shibe Park, and Curt Simmons got the start, allowing one hit over three innings. Robin Roberts didn’t play in the NL’s 3-2 victory.

During the 1976 bicentennial year, the game returned at the Vet, and the NL won by a 7-3 score. Greg Luzinski got the start in left field, and Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Mike Schmidt and Dave Cash joined him on the roster. Cash had a hit and scored a run, while none of the others made a significant contribution.

Then former and soon-to-be future Phillie Dick Ruthven represented the Braves, and former Phillie Don Money was a then-Brewer.

In 1996, Ricky Bottalico was the lone Phillies’ representative, and he hurled a scoreless inning in the NL’s 6-0 victory.

The Big Hits ... Besides Callison’s walk-off, there were some Phillies’ highlights. Here are some prominent ones:

1967 - Dick Allen joined Callison as one of four Phillies to hit homers in the game. Allen’s solo shot in the second inning gave the NL a 1-0 lead, and they would prevail in a 2-1, 15-inning victory. Allen had a banner season, hitting 23 homers, knocking in 77 runs, hitting .307, and leading the league in OBP (.404) and OPS (.970).

1977 - Bob Boone had a two-run single to help the NL to a 6-3 victory in 1978. He hit. 283 with a career-high 12 homers and added 62 RBIs.

1981 - Mike Schmidt went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs in the NL’s 5-4 victory. Ruthven faced a batter, and Steve Carlton did not play.

Schmidt also appeared in the game during his final season in 1989. Overall, Schmidt had a .278 average with a home run, three RBIs, five hits, and three runs scored overall in 10 appearances.

Carlton had a mediocre All-Star showing, pitching four overall innings with a 6.75 ERA in three games as a Phillie.

By the way, who was the fourth Phillie to hit a home run in the game? It was J.T. Realmuto in 2021.

Grimace and the OMG Moments in a New York Minute ... Since they were 22-33 on May 29, the Mets have been one of baseball’s hottest teams with a 27-13 slate since. Overall, the Mets entered the All-Star break with an overall 49-46 record and they hold the third and final Wild Card spot.

The Mets are fifth in several categories in the league, mainly homers (121) and RBIs (447). On the mound, most of the Mets’ categories are in the 20s, as they have a 4.23 ERA.

Pete Alonso, who has 18 homers and 49 RBIs (.241 average), is the team’s lone All-Star selection, but Brandon Nimmo (16 homers, 62 RBIs, .251) and Francisco Lindor (17, 51, .250) could make an argument.

Third baseman Mark Vientos has filled a void at third (12, 33, .292) and second baseman Jose Iglesias (3, 16, .347, .417 OBP) has been a major surprise taking over for the slumping Jeff McNeil.

Catcher Francisco Alvarez (4, 23, 2.99) is beginning to be billed as the next Mark Piazza for his all-around play, and veteran J.D. Martinez (10, 38, .269) has played his anticipated role.

Luis Severino has been looking like his old Yankee days before his injuries, as he has posted a 6-3, 3.78 line, and Sean Manaea (6-3, 3.46) has been a perfect complement at the top of a staff that has managed to help piece together 49 wins. Kodai Senga, projected as their preseason top starter, will be back soon.

The Mets’ bullpen needs some help, but Edwin Diaz had managed to save 10 games despite having a sub-par year.

The Grimace is the Mets’ new good luck charm, and Iglesias sings the “OMG” song after every home win.

How many of you remember the “Meet the Mets” song? If you can, please let me know.

Time Passages ... Each week, I’ll recall a former game or recollection from the game.

Here are some Phillies’ all-star selections you may have forgotten:

1960 - Tony Taylor (2B); 1963 - Ray Culp (P); 1968 - Woodie Fryman (P); 1969 - Grant Jackson (P); 1970 - Joe Hoerner (P); 1973 - Wayne Twitchell (P); 1984 - Al Holland (P), Juan Samuel (2B); 1985 - Ozzie Virgil (C), Glenn Wilson (OF); 1986 - Shane Rawley (P); 1988 - Kevin Gross (P), Lance Parrish (C) (yes, Parrish did make it).

Final thoughts ... The A’s, who have the league’s second-worst record (37-61), won two of three games at Citizens’ Bank Park this past weekend, and outscored the Phillies, 29-16 ... Hank Aaron hit his first All-Star home run off Oakland’s Vida Blue in the 1971 All-Star Game. Beginning in 1955, Aaron appeared in 16 straight games before his homer and played in 21 straight overall ending in 1975.

Feeback ... Your thoughts are welcomed at tnsports@tnoline.com