All-Time Latino All-Star Team

The game’s greatest stars will be on display in Cleveland on Tuesday at the 2019 All-Star Game. For some young stars like Javier Báez and Willson Contreras, starting for a second consecutive year gets people thinking about their place in the history of the game. Francisco Lindor will appear in his fourth straight All-Star Game before his 26th birthday, also a great accomplishment.

Latino players have produced some of the great performances in All-Star Game history.

From Juan Marichal’s MVP honor in 1965 to Fernando Valenzuela striking out five in two innings in 1986 to Pedro Martínez ’s performance at Fenway Park in 1999, pitchers have authored some memorable moments. And the emotions were palpable when Mariano Rivera was named the All-Star Game MVP in 2013.

Similarly, Dave Concepción’s All-Star Game MVP in 1982 and Miguel Cabrera adding an All-Star Game MVP in 2012 were among the best batter performances in the game.

How would we put together an all-time Latino All-Star team based off of Midsummer Classic performances?

Based on the most All-Star Game appearance by position, here’s the La Vida Baseball all-time All-Star team.

Catcher: Iván Rodríguez

14 All-Star Games

Pudge is one of the great combinations of defensive excellence and offensive power ever seen behind the plate. His 14 appearances in the All-Star Game are five more than Yadier Molina. Sandy Alomar Jr. appeared in six All-Star Games and was named the MVP of the midsummer classic as well.

1B: Albert Pujols

10 All-Star Games

Among the greatest righthanded hitters of all-time, Pujols’ 10 appearances at first base get him the nod here. Others, including a Hall of Famer named later, have had memorable performances and great stretches at first base in the All-Star Game, but Pujols is the man.

2B: Roberto Alomar

12 All-Star Games, MVP in 1998

Alomar’s dozen are the most by a Latino at second base. He was defensively outstanding and combined speed and power in a way that electrified fans in his 12 All-Star Games. Robinson Canó has appeared in eight. Another Hall of Famer appeared in nine as a second baseman. We’ll talk about him a bit later.

SS: Luis Aparicio

13 All-Star Games

There have been some great shortstops over the years, and Lindor is one of the stars in the current generation chasing Aparicio’s career total of 13 appearances. The first Venezuelan inducted into the Hall of Fame would probably bat leadoff for this roster.

3B: Alex Rodriguez

14 All-Star Games (7 at third base)

A-Rod appeared in 14 All-Star Games; seven at third. Half of A-Rod’s 14 career All-Star Games came as a third baseman. Adrián Beltré appeared in only four All-Star Games.

Outfield

Roberto Clemente

15 All-Star Games

There’s no question The Great One would make our roster. His 15 All-Star Games rank second among all Latino players.

Reggie Jackson

14 All-Star Games

Mr. October hit some of the most memorable home runs in All-Star Game history. No roof was safe when he was at bat, even against the best pitchers the National League had to offer.

Manny Ramírez

12 All-Star Games

Manny was Manny in 12 All-Star Games. The fan favorite in Cleveland and Boston for years never disappointed.

DH: Rod Carew

18 All-Star Games (9 at second, 9 at first base)

Here’s the Hall of Famer we alluded to at first base and second. While he wasn’t a designated hitter, Carew’s 18 consecutive All-Star Games are the most ever for a Latino player. The American League batting champion trophy is named for him because of his prowess at the plate, so we’re making him our DH on the all-time squad.

Bench

Orlando Cepeda – 11
Miguel Cabrera – 11 – MVP in 2012
David Ortiz – 10
Carlos Beltrán – 9
Dave Concepción – 9 – MVP in 1982
Vladimir Guerrero – 9
Yadier Molina – 9

Pitchers

SP: Juan Marichal – 10 – NL starter in 1965, ’67, MVP in ‘65
SP: Pedro Martínez – 8 – AL starter and MVP in 1999
SP: Félix Hernández – 6 – AL starter in 2014
SP: Fernando Valenzuela – 6
CL: Mariano Rivera – 13 All-Star Games – MVP in 2013

How would you like to step into the box to face any of these guys, much less all five? Marichal is the only Latino to start multiple All-Star Games. Pedro and Fernando, two players who were big enough to live by their first names alone, had historic strikeout performances. King Félix is overlooked, but his six appearances are tied with Valenzuela. Closing the game, and our roster, is Mariano because who else could we call out of the pen?