That man was an All-Star? Each MLB crew’s most forgotten choice from the previous quarter-century
John Stearns, a major-league catcher for a decade, additionally performed security for the College of Colorado. He carried himself with such swagger that individuals referred to as him “Dangerous Dude.” Even so, as a Mets coach within the early 2000s, Stearns was not above gentle teasing from some veterans who had grown up watching him play.
John Franco and Al Leiter had come of age as Mets followers within the late Seventies, after the Tom Seaver commerce that plunged the crew to the basement. They’d inform Stearns how they liked to look at him within the All-Star Recreation — regardless that he solely made it as a result of the roster wanted somebody from each crew.
That rule persists right now, a captivating quirk that helps make sure that each crew has loads of obscure(ish) All-Star alumni. However as soon as an All-Star, all the time an All-Star — and certainly, when Stearns died in 2021, the primary line of his obituary referred to as him a four-time All-Star.
As we anticipate subsequent week’s festivities in Atlanta — and have fun the final quarter-century — right here’s a round-up of 2000s All-Stars you could have forgotten from every MLB crew.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Junior Spivey, 2002
Whereas Spivey by no means constructed on his profession 12 months (.301/.389/.476), it’s nonetheless cool to recollect a time when a participant may very well be drafted on the finish of the thirty sixth spherical from a neighborhood faculty in Kansas, get shipped to the Pioneer League in Alberta, Canada, and work his means as much as the All-Star Recreation. The draft is now capped at 20 rounds, and the Pioneer League misplaced its affiliated standing in 2021.
Athletics: Ryan Prepare dinner, 2012
The 2012 A’s reached the All-Star break at .500, 9 video games out within the AL West. Their lone All-Star was Ryan Prepare dinner, a rookie reliever who struck out a fellow rookie, Bryce Harper, in his scoreless inning. “That is all the things I assumed it might be,” Prepare dinner informed The Athletic’s Dan Brown, then with the San Jose Mercury Information, “and 10 instances extra.” The 12 months was about to get even higher, because the A’s stormed to an unlikely division title.
Atlanta Braves: John Burkett, 2001
In relation to Braves pitchers catching well-known house run balls past the left area fence, no person’s topping Tom Home, who snagged Hank Aaron’s 715th in 1974. However Burkett is a stable second: Watch him step from the bullpen shadows for a nonchalant, sun-kissed catch of Cal Ripken Jr.’s farewell All-Star blast.
Baltimore Orioles: George Sherrill, 2008
There are many methods to go right here: Center reliever Brad Brach, Austin Hays (the beginning middle fielder in 2023), the ever-versatile Ty Wigginton. However let’s salute Sherrill, a lefty reliever who was the unsung hero of the AL’s 15-inning win within the Bronx in 2008. Sherrill labored out of a bases-loaded jam within the twelfth, then pitched a scoreless thirteenth and 14th in a seven-out effort that matched the longest of his profession.
Boston Crimson Sox: Matt Clement, 2005, and Steven Wright, 2016
Simply because each pitchers went 13-6 of their one standout season with the Crimson Sox, and also you most likely don’t keep in mind them within the midsummer basic. Wright — the final knuckleballer to make an All-Star crew — didn’t get to pitch, however Clement tossed a scoreless inning in Detroit and struck out Carlos Beltrán.
Chicago Cubs: Bryan LaHair, 2012
4 years later, on their solution to a championship, the Cubs would declare your complete NL beginning infield: Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant. In 2012, although, solely LaHair represented the North Facet. A primary baseman, LaHair hit simply .202 after the break, signed with a Japanese crew and by no means returned to the majors.
Chicago White Sox: Jesse Crain, 2013
The file reveals that Crain pitched the ultimate recreation of his profession earlier than his solely All-Star Recreation. A setup man in his tenth season, Crain earned his choice with a 0.74 ERA in 38 video games. However he injured his shoulder in late June and by no means returned to the majors.
Cincinnati Reds: Arthur Rhodes, 2010
Arthur Rhodes wasn’t a more in-depth, however he certain knew how you can end his profession. Rhodes pitched for 18 seasons within the majors with out ever reaching the All-Star Recreation or the World Collection. In 12 months 19, he made the All-Star crew for the Reds, and in 12 months 20, he gained the World Collection with the Cardinals.
Cleveland Indians/Guardians: Matt Lawton, 2004
Roberto Alomar had made 12 consecutive All-Star groups when the Mets traded for him in December 2001. How may they know that Alomar, who had simply hit .336/.415/.541, was completed as a productive main leaguer? Alomar was very a lot not an All-Star for the Mets, however Lawton — one in all 5 gamers traded for him — bought there for Cleveland in 2004.
Colorado Rockies: Mike Hampton, 2001
Mike Hampton is remembered for failing in Colorado, the place he lasted for simply two seasons of an eight-year, $121 million contract. However do you know that he truly began off properly? Hampton was 9-2 with a 2.98 ERA in his first 13 video games for the Rockies, turning into the primary All-Star pitcher in crew historical past.
Detroit Tigers: Tony Clark, 2001
The pinnacle of the MLB gamers’ union made his lone All-Star look in Seattle as a pinch hitter for Edgar Martínez — at a ballpark that now has a statue of Martínez out entrance. Clark struck out in opposition to Jon Lieber.
Houston Astros: Shane Reynolds, 2000
It’s all the time unusual when a great crew principally simply takes a season off. That’s what occurred to the Astros in 2000, the 12 months they moved into the dubiously named Enron Discipline. The Astros had completed the Nineties with three division titles and would win one other in 2001. However in 2000 they misplaced 90 video games and had only one All-Star: Reynolds, an excellent pitcher within the midst of his worst season (5.22 ERA). Reynolds didn’t get into the sport and ended his season two weeks later whereas injuring his knee on a jog.
Kansas Metropolis Royals: Mark Redman, 2006
The Royals had only one All-Star consultant every season from 2004 by means of 2012, with fellows like Aaron Crow, Ken Harvey and Redman, a lefty who blitzed by means of eight groups in a 10-year profession. Redman gained all 5 of his begins in June 2006, however reached the break with a really un-All-Star-like 5.27 ERA.
Los Angeles Angels: Jared Walsh, 2021
Walsh actually deserved the distinction with 22 homers on the break. However when he truly bought into the sport, he discovered himself at a place he had by no means performed within the majors: left area. Naturally, the ball got here his means — and Walsh made a nifty sliding catch.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Hung-Chi Kuo, 2010
A lefty from Taiwan, Kuo was principally bizarre, with a 4.38 ERA in six of his seven seasons with the Dodgers. The outlier was his otherworldly 2010, when Kuo had a 1.20 ERA, a sub-0.800 WHIP and 11 Ok/9 in 60 innings. The one pitcher with a season like that within the first 10 years of the 2000s, Eric Gagne, gained the Cy Younger Award.
Miami Marlins: Henderson Álvarez III, 2014
Right here’s one thing we’ll by no means see once more — a pitcher witnessing the top of his personal no-hitter whereas carrying a batting helmet within the on-deck circle. That’s what occurred to Álvarez within the closing recreation of the 2013 season, when the Marlins walked off Detroit on a wild pitch, with Álvarez due up subsequent, within the backside of the ninth. Álvarez parlayed that into a powerful 2014 season (12-7, 2.65) however shoulder issues saved him from ever incomes one other win.
Milwaukee Brewers: Derrick Turnbow, 2006
On the finish of June in 2006, Turnbow had 23 saves and a 3.28 ERA — ok to earn a visit to Pittsburgh. From that time on, he had one save, 4 blown saves and a frightful 13.06 ERA. He did pitch a scoreless seventh inning within the All-Star Recreation, however was completed within the majors inside two years.
Minnesota Twins: Eduardo Núñez, 2016
Núñez spent 11 seasons as an primarily league-average participant, compiling 0.2 bWAR for his profession. He had his moments in greater markets, with 4 seasons as a Yankee and three in Boston, the place he starred within the 2018 World Collection. However a mid-career stint with the Twins gave him his lone All-Star nod.
New York Mets: Taijuan Walker, 2021
Walker made the All-Star crew by going 7-3 with a 2.66 ERA within the first half. It seems that he was finished successful for the season. After the sport, during which Walker allowed a house run to Mike Zunino, he went 0-8 with a 7.13 ERA, a part of a teamwide collapse within the second half.
New York Yankees: Mike Stanton, 2001
Right here’s one thing wild: Dellin Betances suited up 4 instances as a Yankees All-Star — greater than Roger Maris (3), Mark Teixeira (2) and Tino Martinez (1). However Betances isn’t the choose right here. It’s Stanton, the tireless lefty reliever, who produced an all-time All-Star spotlight when he broke Vladimir Guerrero’s bat in Seattle:
Philadelphia Phillies: Vicente Padilla, 2002
The reply for essentially the most obscure Phillies All-Star of the 2000s is outfielder Domonic Brown in 2013. However let’s highlight the weird expertise of Padilla in 2002. The Phillies had gotten him from Arizona in a commerce for Curt Schilling, the NL starter that 12 months. Padilla was the unlikely NL finisher — as a result of after two innings, he couldn’t go any longer and the sport led to a tie, embarrassing commissioner Bud Selig at his house ballpark in Milwaukee. Phillies supervisor Larry Bowa was grateful that Padilla wasn’t overextended, however acknowledged to the New York Occasions: “As a fan, do I agree with it? No, under no circumstances. If I’m paying $100-125 a ticket, I wish to see anyone win.”
Pittsburgh Pirates: Evan Meek, 2010
The third member of the NL’s 2010 bullpen to make this listing, Meek was most likely finest identified for the ultimate pitch of his major-league profession. As an Oriole in 2014, Meek gave up Derek Jeter’s walk-off single within the final recreation Jeter ever performed at Yankee Stadium.
San Diego Padres: Everth Cabrera, 2013
It’s secure to say that the All-Star choice was the excessive level of Cabrera’s summer season. The 2012 NL chief in stolen bases, Cabrera was suspended three weeks later for his function within the Biogenesis scandal. He hit .227/.267/.285 for the remainder of his temporary profession.
San Francisco Giants: Melky Cabrera, 2012
Talking of PEDs, who can neglect the heartwarming story of the 2012 All-Star Recreation? Returning to Kansas Metropolis after the Royals had traded him the earlier fall, Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a homer to win the MVP award. The following month, he was suspended after testing constructive for testosterone, a caper that concerned a pretend web site constructed on his behalf in a ham-handed effort to exonerate him. The Giants went on to win the World Collection with out Cabrera, who was stripped of the 2012 batting title however did go on to earn $60 million in future salaries.
St. Louis Cardinals: Aledmys Díaz, 2016
Lesser-known All-Stars are enjoyable. However generally you simply wish to see the massive stars. Take 2016 in San Diego: bases loaded, two outs, eighth inning, NL down by two runs. It’s the best level of late-game leverage, with Corey Seager set to face Andrew Miller. Two strikes later the matchup is Díaz in opposition to Will Harris, and Díaz strikes out wanting in the one All-Star look of his profession. Each had been deserving stars that summer season, to make certain. However you get what I imply.
Seattle Mariners: Daniel Vogelbach, 2019
It’s tempting to go together with Shigetoshi Hasegawa, simply because his identify is so mellifluous, however how can we resist Vogelbach, the 6-foot, 270-pound first baseman who smashed 21 homers earlier than the break in 2019? Enjoyable reality: the sport passed off in Cleveland, the place the pitcher Seattle traded to get Vogelbach, Mike Montgomery, had saved Recreation 7 of the 2016 World Collection for the Chicago Cubs.
Tampa Bay Rays: Corey Dickerson, 2017
The Rays have had a lot of random reduction pitchers make the All-Star crew — Danys Báez, Brad Boxberger, Lance Carter and so forth — however Dickerson is the choose right here, due to the oddity of him truly beginning the All-Star Recreation as designated hitter. A journeyman who performed for eight groups, Dickerson truly gained a Gold Glove the subsequent season for Pittsburgh.
Texas Rangers: Milton Bradley, 2008
Bradley had ended the earlier season, with the Padres, by tearing his ACL whereas being restrained by supervisor Bud Black throughout an umpire argument. Bradley’s infamous mood most likely value him an opportunity at stardom, however eight groups gave him a attempt — and one bought an All-Star efficiency. Bradley was sensational in 2008, hitting .321 with an AL-best .999 OPS and serving because the beginning DH on the Yankee Stadium All-Star Recreation.
Toronto Blue Jays: Santiago Espinal, 2022
The Jays have had fairly a number of obscure All-Stars this century, from all around the diamond: catcher John Buck, infielder Whit Merrifield, outfielder Michael Saunders, starter Ricky Romero and the left-right middle-relief duo of Brett Cecil and Steve Delabar, who made it collectively in 2013. However the alternative right here is Espinal, a reliable utility man now taking part in for Cincinnati.
Washington Nationals: Tyler Clippard, 2011 and 2014
Clippard is the Nationals’ chief in video games pitched (with 418, he’s simply seven behind franchise chief Tim Burke of the Expos) and a deserving All-Star twice. He makes this listing for the trick he pulled in 2011, when he confronted one batter, gave up successful — and earned the victory. How? He gave up successful to Adrián Beltré, however Hunter Pence threw out José Bautista on the plate. Then the NL got here to bat and took the lead for good, giving Clippard a curly-W within the field rating.
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Photographs: Jonathan Daniel, Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Todd Warshaw/Getty Photos, Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Photos)