Hall of Fame Players with the 10 Worst MLB All-Star Game Batting Averages

There’s an age old debate about MLB position players versus top notch starting pitching. Who beats who?

Some players have made a Hall of Fame career by beating up on the third, fourth, and fifth guys in a pitching rotation. Even worse, some guys beat up on bullpen pitchers and get called great for doing so.

How many times have you heard about a player who has a great batting average from the seventh inning on? This is just hitting against a relief pitcher who couldn't make the starting rotation.

The 82^nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game played on July 12^th showed that not all All-Stars are All-Stars when playing against the best of the best.

Here’s a list of great position players that did not fare well when playing against their All-Star contemporaries. 

Hammerin' Hank Aaron

Hammerin’ Hank had a career .194 all-star batting average in 67 at-bats.

Over 17 years Aaron was selected to the All-Star Game 25 times. From 1959 to 1962 MLB had two all-star games in each season. The funds raised from the second all-star game went towards the player’s pension fund.

The former home run king only had two dingers in 67 at-bats.

Ozzie Smith

The Wizard of Oz was better known for his glove than his bat, which is a good thing considering his all-star batting average of .148.

Ozzie had 15 selections, 27 at bats, and 4 hits. Let’s hope his all-star fielding average was better.

Smith was inducted to Cooperstown in 2002. 

Paul Molitor

Paul Molitor’s 21 year career .306 batting average didn’t translate to all-star success.

In seven invites to the all-star game, “Molly” had a career .125 batting average in the mid-season classic.

The 2004 Hall of Fame inductee only had one hit in eight at bats.

Ryne Sandberg

The career Chicago Cubs second baseman and current AAA manager for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate, had an all-star career batting average of .115 in 10 all-star selections.

Ryno had three hits in 26 at bats. Sandberg was admitted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Donny Baseball

Maybe it’s a prerequisite to being a head skipper for the Dodgers? Or maybe the greats just have bad games.

Either way add Mattingly to the list.

Mattingly was selected to 6 all-star games and batted .111, which translates to one hit in nine at bats.

That the greatest first baseman of his generation is not in the HOF is troubling.  

Joe Torre

The 1971 NL MVP and NL batting champion (.363) and skipper of the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers wouldn’t be the best person to give all-star batting tips.

In nine all-star selections Torre batted .095. That’s two hits in 21 at bats. Ouch!

Eddie Murray

“Steady Eddie” was an eight time all-star and a 2003 Hall of Fame selection.

His 11 plate appearances yielded only one hit, giving him a .091 all-star batting average.

That must be a bitter pill for a player with 3,255 career hits. 

It's a Family Thing

Neither Brett nor Aaron will ever be in the Hall of Fame, but the Boone name is baseball royalty.

Neither can give the other one a hard time around the dinner table over their all-star success… because neither one had any.

The Boone Brothers combined for 4 all-star appearances, 5 at bats, and zero hits. 

Eddie Matthews

Regarded as one of the best third basemen to ever play the game, this 1978 Hall of Famer has the second worst all-star career in MLB history.

In 12 all-star games Matthews had four hits in 25 ABs for a .080 average.

Not so Killer B'

Craig Biggio is not in the Hall yet, but the 3,060 career hits he had while playing for the Houston Astros will make him a shoo in.

In seven all-star selections and 15 ABs, Biggio had only one hit giving him a .067 average. 

Want More Bad Averages?

Notable Bad Averages of Other Great Players

Roger Maris .105

Pee Wee Reese .118

Barry Larkin .111

Edgar Martinez .167

Barry Bonds .194

Who About the Best of the Rest?

Frank Thomas .800

Ken Griffey Jr. .440

Derek Jeter .435

Steve Garvey .393

Will Clark .385

Dave Winfield .361

Johnny Bench .357

Jackie Robinson .333

Babe Ruth .333

Roberto Clemente .323

Wade Boggs .321

Willie Mays .307

Ernie Banks .303