Glancing at the Stars: Ex-College Cagers Excelling in MLB All-Star Contests
July 13th, 2021 - 7:58
When compared to NBA and NFL physical specimens, there is a tendency to undervalue baseball players as versatile athletes. But that viewpoint shouldn't prevail. In deference to this year's festivities in Denver, following is a ranking of the top 10 former college hoopers who performed best as non-pitchers in MLB All-Star Games:
Rank | MLB All-Star | MLB Team(s) | Pos. | All-Star Season(s) | College Played Hoops | MLB All-Star Game Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Dave Winfield | Padres/Yankees | OF | 1977 through 1988 | Minnesota | Eight-time starter went 13-for-36 (.361) with seven doubles and five RBI in 12 games. |
2. | Frankie Frisch | Cardinals | INF | 1933 through 1935 | Fordham | Two-time starter went 4-for-7 (.571) with two HRs and four runs scored in three games. |
3. | Jackie Robinson | Dodgers | INF-OF | 1949 through 1954 | UCLA | Five-time starter went 6-for-18 (.333) with two doubles, one homer, four RBI and seven runs scored in seven games. |
4. | Kenny Lofton | Indians/Braves | OF | 1994 through 1999 | Arizona | Four-time starter went 5-for-14 (.357) with two RBI and five stolen bases in six games. |
5. | Joe Adcock | Braves | 1B | 1960 | Louisiana State | Starter went 3-for-5 (.600) in two games. |
6. | Davey Lopes | Dodgers | 2B | 1978 through 1981 | Iowa Wesleyan | Three-time starter went 2-for-5 (.400) with one RBI in four games. |
7. | Red Rolfe | Yankees | 3B | 1937 through 1940 | Dartmouth | Two-time starter went 3-for-8 (.375) with a triple and two RBI in four games. |
8. | Dick Groat | Pirates/Cardinals | SS | 1959-60-62-63-64 | Duke | Four-time starter went 5-for-15 (.333) with one double and five RBI in eight games. |
9. | Gil Hodges | Dodgers | 1B | 1949 through 1955 and 1957 | St. Joseph's IN/Oakland City IN | Starter in 1951 went 4-for-12 (.333) with one homer and three runs scored in six games (DNP in 1950 and 1952). |
10. | Lou Boudreau | Indians | SS | 1940-41-42-43-44-47-48 | Illinois | Three-time starter went 4-for-12 (.333) with one HR in eight games. |