I’ve been trying to think for days on an article to write about this years MLB All-Star Game. With all of the history being celebrated this week at Yankees Stadium, I thought about ranking the most memorable moments in All-Star Game history. Nice thought but nothing new there has been a ton of articles about notable moments and plays. So instead, I’ve decided to give you the player I consider to be MLB’s All-Time All-Star MVP. Who would this be? It would be the player who has had the most success in recent history of the game.
To qualify a player would of had to won an MVP Award, so this immediately eliminates anyone before 1962, as that is the year MLB began to award an MVP. A player must of also been selected to the All-Star game a minimum of 10 times. I’ve chosen 5 finalists to choose from, 4 of which have won the MVP Award twice. Those finalists are Cal Ripken Jr, Steve Garvey, Ken Griffey Jr, Willie Mays and Gary Carter. Let’s take a look at the All-Star careers of each of these players.
Cal Ripken Jr - MVP 1991 and 2001. Ripken is without a doubt a player that you have to consider one of the best in the history of this game. Ripken was selected to 19 All-Star Games, and was a starter in 17 of those, all consecutive appearances from 1983 to his final season of 2001. During this time, Ripken had 51 plate appearances, sporting a .265 average with 2 homers and 8 rbis. His number weren’t overly impressive but the reason I have him here is because of the dual MVP Awards. You can’t help but agree, winning the award TEN years apart is pretty amazing. Granted the 2001 Award was more sentimental then a game-winning hit or something of the sorts, he did at least a home run that game.
Steve Garvey - MVP 1974 and 1978. Garvey is a player most wouldn’t even consider for this award. He doesn’t have the super star name, he doesn’t have Hall of Fame credentials but he was a solid player who performed day in and day out, even carrying that into this game. He was selected to 10 games, starting in 9 of them. His numbers were VERY impressive, 30 plate appearances with a .393 average, 2 homers and 7 rbis, as well as 2 doubles and 2 triples. 1974 was his inaugural appearance in this game and he responded by going 2 for 4, with a run, rbi and a double to earn the MVP award as an All-Star Rookie.
Ken Griffey Jr - MVP 1992. Griffey is the only nominee who hasn’t won two MVP awards, and you know what how could anyone argue against the Kid. He’s been selected to 13 games, starting 9 of them. The 9 he didn’t start was due to injury, something that has plagued him his entire career. So with only one award why is he considered? Well the Kid is lights out in the Mid-Summer Classic. In 25 at-bats, he’s batted a .440 with 1 hr and 7 rbis, including a double and a stolen base. He’s also considered because he has always been such a fan favorite, and always rewards them by playing this game as it is any other.
Willie Mays - MVP 1963 and 1968. Willie Mays, the Say Hey kid, he’d be a nominee no matter who you talked to. He was selected to an astounding 24 All-Star games, starting in a whopping 18. With that many appearances you would expect a players true talent to shine, and by that I mean his numbers match his career. Well Willie did not let down, having 75 at-bats, he batted .307 with 3 homers and 9 rbis, while hitting 2 doubles, 3 triples and stealing 6 bases. He was nothing short of remarkable and deserves a place on this list.
Gary Carter - MVP 1981 and 1984. Carter is much like Garvey, a player that doesn’t have the super sexy stats, the big name but he was one of the best catchers in baseball for a decent stretch. With that came numerous All-Star appearances, 10, and 7 of those as a starter. Carter didn’t disappoint either hitting 3 homers in 20 career at-bats, sporting a .300 average.
So who wins? Who is my All-Time All-Star MVP????
It’s none other then Willie Mays. There’s no way you can really choose against the guy. The Say Hey kid played this game as he played any other game, and over such a long stretch of time. His 24 appearances is a record shared by Hank Aaron and Stan Musial. Even more impressive is the fact that Mays won MVP awards in his final 10 seasons, he easily would of won a couple more had baseball given the award out before 1962. I wish I was around to see Willie roam center field.
Who is your MLB All-Star MVP? Do you agree with my selection? Let me know!
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5 Comments
He only batted .212 in his 17 (yea…that’s 17) All-Star appearances and never won the MVP award, but Pete Rose is my all-time All-Star MVP.
Rose started 5 (yea…that’s 5) different positions (2B, LF, RF, 3B, 1B) in the midsummer classic and created the most famous All-Star moment all time (in any sport) when he ran over catcher Ray Fosse to win the 1970 All-Star game in the 12th inning.
yea blue when i was considering top play/best moments in history he was without a doubt #1 there. for this one thou it was a little tougher for me to put him in there, especially with the qualifications I chose
You can’t call it the “All-Time” All-Star MVP if you’re going to limit it to only recent players! That’s a contradiction of terms.
ALL-Time means ALL TIME, not Recently, not Lately, not Just in your life time!
My vote for the REAL ALL-Star MVP(s) (of all time) would be…you picked 5 so I’ll pick five…
Babe Ruth
Stan Musial
Mickey Mantle
Ted Williams
Willie Mays (the only player we agree on)
I wouldn’t even vote for a player who has been “selected”
by the current system. It’s not really an “ALL-Star” game,
it’s a popularity contest, at best. (you have your criteria, I have mine). Mine is based on ALL TIME and having been selected by other players and managers…they know who the real ALL Stars are.
And I really don’t see any reason to choose an ALL Star MVP based on a SEASON MVP. If I’m selecting an ALL STAR MVP then I’m going to base it on the players performance in All Star Games. (Roger Clemens is great during the season but sucks in an All Star Game).
If I base my selection according to your qualifications then I can’t possibly pick an ALL-TIME MVP.
I have to eliminate Ted Williams, Micky Mantle, Hank Aaron, Joe Dimaggio, Willie McCovey, Eddie Mathews, Yogi Berra, etc. I just can’t do it.
These are all players in my lifetime and I can tell you this….my All Stars can beat up your All-Stars every time and, all things being equal, would collect a lot more MVP awards.
I agree the past All-Stars would crush todays, there’s no debate on that. I did consider Musial but based on the qualifications, I couldn’t put him in the nomination. In a way, I chose best of All-Time out of the All-Star MVPs. It wasn’t awarded before ‘62, so thats why some of the greatest of all-time aren’t included. I do agree with you thou, season MVP should have nothing to do, and it doesn’t in any of my selections, if it did Gary Carter would of never been a consideration haha.
Thanks for the comment thou Dave!
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