Atlanta Braves Players Are A Big Part of All-Star Game History
By Fred Owens
Braves Catchers
Del Crandall was the first Brave to start an All-Star game in 1955. After a two-year break, Crandall started the 1958 ASG and both ASGs in 1959, 1960, and 1962. His eight starts put him third on the list behind Johnny Bench and Mike Piazza, who share the lead with 10 each.
Brian McCann earned seven ASG nods, became the second Braves to win the All-Star Game MVP at the 2010 game, and started the game in 2011.
Javy López earned three selections but never started a game, and somehow, Johnny Estrada was the only Atlanta Braves on the 2004 All-Star squad.
Around the Horn
Freddie Freeman holds the Braves record for All-Star game selections with three. Joe Adcock and Fred McGriff were selected twice, and McGriff won the first All-Star Game MVP in 1994 when his pinch-hit two-run home tied the game in the bottom of the ninth.
Ozzie Albies is the franchise leader at second base, followed by Frank Bolling with two and nine others with one.
Eddie Mathews’ seven ASG starts is a franchise record and tie him with Mike Schmidt for most starts at third for the NL.
Chipper Jones’ five starts are second among Braves, but Austin Riley is coming up in his read view mirror. Jones is tied for third in the NL with David Wright, one start behind Ken Boyer.
Johnny Logan was selected for four All-Star Games but played at the same time as Ernie Banks and didn’t start any of the games.
Jeff Blauser and Rafael Furcal earned two selections at shortstop, but only Blauser made a start.
Braves on Other All-Time Lists
In 1961, Warren Spahn became the fourth pitcher to throw three All-Star Game innings with a 0.00 WHIP.
Jim Bunning was the first in 1957, Billy Odell duplicated Bunning’s feat in 1958, and Don Drysdale followed suit in 1959. Bunning repeated the feat in the second 1961.
Lew (Lou) Burdette was the third pitcher to throw four scoreless innings in an All-Star Game (1957), behind Spud Chandler (1942) and Johnny Antonelli the second in 1956.
That’s a Wrap
I wondered why Boston Braves right fielder Randy Moore didn’t get a nod in 1933, then I saw that Chuck Klein was on his way to winning the NL triple-crown.
It’s harder to understand why Andruw Jones earned only four All-Star selections and never started a game. But that’s all water under the bridge; this year, the Atlanta Braves for 25% of the squad, it’s time for the NL to get off its gluteus maximus and win the game!