While the term “worst All-Star” may seem like an oxymoron, in the whole history of the Boston Red Sox, there have been a handful of questionable nominations to the Midsummer Classic. Here, we’ll break down five of the worst Red Sox All-Stars of all time.
The 5 worst All-Stars in Red Sox history
Frank Malzone
Despite being an eight-time All-Star, Frank Malzone’s inclusion in the 1960 team is certainly a head-scratcher. While he was an elite defender at third, he was a below average player at the plate, slashing a first-half statline of .262/.318/.391/.709 to go along with a 96 OPS+. Malzone was relatively the same player to finish out the season, finishing the 1960 season with an 86 wRC+ and 0.8 fWAR.
Luis Aparicio
A Hall of Famer and a thirteen-time All-Star, Luis Aparicio’s inclusion in the 1971 All-Star team is extremely puzzling. Despite his career prestige, Aparicio was in his age-37 season in 1971, and it showed. In 70 games, Aparicio accumulated a first-half line of .206/.273/.287/.559 in addition to a 63 OPS+. And, while some may argue that it was his glove that got him in, by 1971, even his defense had begun to suffer as that year he mustered -0.8 defensive WAR.
Rick Burleson
Another infielder, Rick Burleson, comes in at number three with his 1978 All-Star campaign. A member of the 1975 Red Sox, Burleson was a one-time All-Star before the 1978 season, during which he logged a mediocre .248/.298/.656 slash line with four homers and an 86 OPS+ at the break. Burleson’s offensive struggles continued in the second half, with him finishing the year with a 70 wRC+ and 1.7 fWAR.
Bruce Hurst
While many fans expected there to be a Red Sox pitcher heading to the 1987 All-Star game, it was probably quite the surprise for many to see it be Bruce Hurst as opposed to the team’s ace, Roger Clemens, that year’s eventual Cy Young winner. For Hurst, this was his only All-Star appearance, a year in which he posted a 4.41 ERA and 4.15 FIP. While his first-half results were slightly better, they were still average at best, with a 3.81 ERA and an ERA+ of 88.
Mark Loretta
Coming in last on our list is Mark Loretta. Loretta, a one-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner, had appeared in his second Midsummer Classic with the 2006 Red Sox. Outside of hitting 300 in the first half of the season, Loretta had put together an average to below average stat line, slashing 305/.353/.385/.738 to go along with three homers and a 94 OPS+. While underwhelming, Loretta’s walk-off homer on Patriots Day that season surely helped in getting his name into the starting lineup for the American League.
Based on these inclusions, it is understandable why many, including even MLB players, feel that the All-Star accolade has lost its significance over the years, especially when considering the “All-Star level” seasons that earned these players a spot. Hopefully, MLB looks to change how All-Star selections are made, as it is frustrating to see players like Ceddanne Rafaela continue to be snubbed of their rightful spots.