MLB All-Star Game: The Hall of Fame Connection

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was one of the 60 players named to the respective American League and National League All-Star teams yesterday. For Jeter, a likely first-year Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible, it will be his 13th All-Star Game.

The All-Star Game was first played in 1933. In taking a look at the Hall of Famers who played in All-Star Games, there are some interesting facts that pop out.

First, Bert Blyleven was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year on his 14th attempt. Blyleven had a 22-year career in the majors with 287 wins, over 3,700 strikeouts and a career ERA of 3.31. He was an American League All-Star in only two seasons, 1973 and 1985.

He became the Hall of Famer with the fewest All-Star appearances. (He was credited with the loss in that ’73 contest.)

Another surprise was that Milwaukee’s Robin Yount, inducted into the Hall in 1999 in his first year on the ballot, played in only three All-Star Games, 1980, 1982 and 1983. He was a starter in two of the three games. Another interesting fact is that Yount won the 1989 AL MVP without making the All-Star team that year.

Following are the Hall of Famers who had the fewest All-Star games on their resume.

All-Star Games, Players

2: Bert Blyleven

3: Ferguson Jenkins, Robin Yount

4: Don Sutton

5: Richie Ashburn, Phil Niekro, Gaylord Perry, Phil Rizzuto, Hoyt Wilhelm

Hank Aaron tops the list with 21 All-Star Games. There are 16 players who had 10 or more All-Star Games but are not in baseball’s Hall of Fame. For some of these players, the jury is still out on whether they will ever be enshrined in Cooperstown.

All-Star Games, Players

17: Pete Rose

14: Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez

13: Ken Griffey, Derek Jeter

12: Mark McGwire. Mike Piazza, Manny Ramirez, Mariano Rivera

11: Roger Clemens, Bill Freehan

10: Steve Garvey, Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson, Ichiro Suzuki

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