20 offbeat facts about the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Major League Baseball's annual All-Star Game is sure to receive extra attention July 16 as it's played in New York at Citi Field, the home of the Mets. Here is a collection of facts, mostly offbeat, to enhance your enjoyment of the midseason classic.
Members of the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres line the field as they honor first responders and volunteers who aided victims of hurricane Sandy on Opening Day of a baseball game at Citi Field on April 1, 2013 in New York.
(KATHY KMONICEK/AP)
1.American League All-Stars who were first-round draft picks
Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer shares some words with plate umpire Ed Hickox in the fourth after being called out for the second time on pitches by New York Yankees pitcher David Phelps in a baseball game, July 4, 2013 in Minneapolis.
(JIM MONE/AP)
In a clear indication that baseball scouts have a sharp eye for identifying talented prospects, 24 players in this year's All-Star Game were first-round draft picks, 13 from the American League and 11 from the National League.
Here are the first-round draftees on the AL roster, starting from highest player chosen:
Joe Mauer: 1st pick of 2001
Catcher, Minnesota
Justin Verlander: 2nd pick of 2004 …. Pitcher, Detroit
Alex Gordon: 2nd pick of 2005 …. Outfield, Kansas City
Manny Machado: 3rd pick of 2010 … Third base, Baltimore
Prince Fielder: 7th pick of 2002 …. First base, Detroit
Jason Castro: 10th pick of 2008 …. Catcher, Houston
Max Scherzer: 11th pick of 2006 …. Pitcher, Detroit
Chris Sale: 13th pick of 2010 …. Pitcher, Chicago White Sox
Torii Hunter: 20th pick of 1993 …. Outfield, Detroit
Glen Perkins: 22nd pick of 2004 …. Pitcher, Minnesota
Mike Trout: 25th pick of 2009 …. Outfield, Los Angeles Angels
Adam Jones: 37th pick of 2003 …. Outfield, Baltimore
Brett Cecil: 38th pick of 2007 …. Pitcher, Toronto
2.National League All-Stars who were first-round draft picks
Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper pulls his gloves off after his solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Nationals Park, July 1, 2013, in Washington.
(ALEX BRANDON/AP)
Here are the first-round draftees on the NL roster, starting from highest player chosen:
Bryce Harper: 1st pick of 2010
Outfield, Washington
Jason Grilli: 4th pick of 1997
Pitcher, Pittsburgh
Buster Posey: 5th pick of 2008
Catcher, San Francisco
Troy Tulowitzki: 7th pick of 2005 …. Shortstop, Colorado
Clayton Kershaw: 7th pick of 2006 …. Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
Michael Cuddyer: 9th pick of 1997 …. Outfield, Colorado
Madison Bumgarner: 10th pick of 2007 …. Pitcher, San Francisco
Andrew McCutchen: 11th pick of 2005 …. Outfield, Pittsburgh
Jose Fernandez: 14th pick of 2011 …. Pitcher, Florida
Adam Wainwright: 29th pick of 2000 …. Pitcher, St. Louis
David Wright: 38th pick of 2001 …. Third base, New York Mets
3.A.L. All-Stars: position players and DH with the most minor-league experience
Texas Rangers' Nelson Cruz watches his solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, June 13, 2013, in Arlington, Texas.
(LM OTERO/AP)
Nonpitchers who have paid the most "dues" in the minor leagues before achieving stardom in the majors:
Nelson Cruz (Rangers) 739 games
Torii Hunter (Tigers): 628 games
Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays): 607 games
Jhonny Peralta (Tigers): 562 games
David Ortiz (Red Sox): 537 games
4.N.L. All-Stars: position players with the most minor-league experience
San Francisco Giants second baseman Marco Scutaro makes a catch for a force out against the Toronto Blue during their MLB American League baseball game in San Francisco, June 4, 2013.
(STEPHEN LAM/REUTERS)
Marco Scutaro (Giants): 894 games
Joey Votto (Reds): 716 games
Brandon Phillips (Reds): 710 games
Michael Cuddyer (Rockies): 688 games
Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies): 637 games
Domonic Brown (Phillies): 535 games
Allen Craig (Cardinals): 524 games
Andrew McCutchen (Pirates): 511 games
5.A.L. pitchers with the most games pitched in the minors
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Joe Nathan works against the Seattle Mariners in the ninth inning of a baseball game July 3, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. The Mariners won 4-2 in the 10th.
(TONY GUTIERREZ/AP)
Joe Nathan (Rangers): 129
Jesse Crain (White Sox): 128
Glen Perkins (Twins): 106
Mariano Rivera (Yankees): 93
6.N.L. pitchers with the most games pitched in the minors
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jason Grilli throws against the Houston Astros in the ninth inning of the baseball game on May 19, 2013, in Pittsburgh. Grilli got the save as the Pirates won 1-0.
(KEITH SRAKOCIC/AP)
Jason Grilli (Pirates): 180 games
Jeff Locke (Pirates): 154 games
Adam Wainwright (Cardinals): 140 games
Travis Wood (Cubs): 139 games
Craig Kimbrel (Braves): 121 games
7.A.L. teams with just one All-Star
Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz makes Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout laugh as they interact on the field before an American League baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., July 6, 2013.
(DANNY MOLOSHOK/REUTERS)
Angels (Mike Trout)
Astros (Jason Castro)
8.N.L. teams with just one All-Star
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Travis Wood delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 4, 2013
(GENE J. PUSKAR/AP)
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw, P)
Cubs (Travis Wood, P)
Padres (Everth Cabrera, SS)
Marlins (Jose Fernandez, P)
9.Best represented A.L teams
Detroit Tigers' Prince Fielder celebrates after scoring on Victor Martinez's two-run double in the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, July 8, 2013, in Cleveland.
(MARK DUNCAN/AP)
Tigers, 6 All-Stars
(Prince Fielder, Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Torii Hunter, Jhonny Peralta)
Orioles, 4 All-Stars
(Chris Davis, J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones, Manny Machado)
Blue Jays, 4 All-Stars
(Brett Cecil, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, Steve Delabar)
Rangers, 3 All-Stars
(Yu Darvish, Nelson Cruz, Joe Nathan)
Red Sox, 3 All-Stars
David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Clay Buchholz)
10.Best represented N.L. teams
St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Beltran straps on his batting gloves as he prepares for batting practice during warmups for a baseball game in San Diego, May 20, 2013.
(LENNY IGNELZI/AP)
Cardinals, 5 All-Stars
(Carlos Beltran, Adam Wainwright, Matt Carpenter, Allen Craig, Yadier Molina)
Reds, 3 All-Stars
(Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Aroldis Chapman)
Rockies, 3 All-Stars
(Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Michael Cuddyer)
Braves, 3 All-Stars
(Craig Kimbrel, Brian McCann, Freddie Freeman)
11.States with the most All-Stars
Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman, a native of Fountain Valley, Calif., hits a single in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, July 3, 2013, in Atlanta.
(DAVID GOLDMAN/AP)
based on place of birth
California, 7
Texas, 5
Florida, 4
Arkansas, 3
Virginia, 3
Minnesota, 2
North Carolina, 2
Georgia, 2
15 other states with 1 All-Star each
12.Colleges with alums in the All-Star Game
Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who played collegiately at Arizona State, signs autographs prior a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park in Boston, June 18, 2013.
(ELISE AMENDOLA/AP)
(ASU is the only college with two All-Stars: Boston’s Dustin Pedroia and Cleveland’s Jason Kipnis. All the rest have one apiece.)
Florida State
Long Beach State
University of North Carolina
Seton Hall
Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Wallace State Community College
University of Arkansas
Texas Christian University
Texas State
Navarro Junior College (Texas)
Angelina Junior College (Texas)
University of Maryland
San Diego State
University of California
Chipola College (Fla.)
Stanford
University of Missouri
SUNY-Stony Brook
University of Minnesota
Florida Gulf Coast
University of Nebraska
University of Houston
Vanderbilt
Volunteer State Community College (Tennessee)
13.Countries, besides the US, represented in the All-Star Game
Toronto Blue Jays' Edwin Encarnacion, one of 10 All-Stars from the Dominican Republic, celebrates his home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning of their baseball game in Toronto May 27, 2013.
(MARK BLINCH/REUTERS)
Dominican Republic, 10 players
Venezuela, 5 players
Canada, 2 players
Japan, 2 players
Cuba, 2 players
Puerto Rico, 2 players
Nicaragua, 1 player
Panama, 1 player
(American Justin Masterson, of the Cleveland Indians, was born in Jamaica.)
14.A.L. position players fast-tracked to the majors
Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado prepares for an at-bat during an interleague baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Baltimore, May 15, 2013.
(PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP)
with the fewest games in the minors
Manny Machado (Orioles): 219 games
Jason Castro (Astros): 222 games
Alex Gordon (Royals): 235 games
Jason Kipnis (Indians): 254 games
Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox): 272 games
Mike Trout (Angels): 286 games
15.N.L. position players fast-tracked to the majors
Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki looks on against the New York Mets during the third inning of a baseball game on April 18, 2013, in Denver.
(JACK DEMPSEY/AP)
with the fewest games in the minors
Bryce Harper (Nationals): 134 games
Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies): 153 games
Buster Posey (Giants): 172 games
Pedro Alvarez (Pirates): 234 games
16.A.L. pitchers fast-tracked to the majors
Chicago White Sox starter Chris Sale delivers a pitch during the first inning of an MLB baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in Chicago, June 30, 2013.
(PAUL BEATY/AP)
with the fewest games pitched in the minors
Chris Sale (White Sox): 11 games
Justin Verlander (Tigers): 20 games
Max Scherzer (Tigers): 33 games
Justin Masterson (Indians): 53 games
Felix Hernandez (Mariners): 58 games
17.N.L. pitchers fast-tracked to the majors
Cincinnati Reds' Aroldis Chapman pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning of a baseball game on June 12, 2013, in Chicago. The Reds defeated the Cubs 2-1.
(JIM PRISCHING/AP)
with the fewest games pitched in the minors
Jose Fernandez (Marlins): 27 games
Matt Harvey (Mets): 46 games
Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers): 48 games
Aroldis Chapman (Reds): 48 games
Jordan Zimmerman (Nationals): 50 games
Madison Bumgarner (Giants): 63 games
18.Dominican Republic's All-Star selections
New York Yankees' Robinson Cano takes off his helmet after he flied out during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., June 14, 2013.
(JAE C. HONG/AP)
Jose Bautista, OF, Blue Jays
Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox
Bartolo Colon, P, Athletics
Edwin Encarnacion, DH, Blue Jays
Nelson Cruz, OF, Rangers
Jhonny Peralta, SS, Tigers
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates
Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers
Jean Segura, SS, Brewers
19.2012 A.L. All-Stars not in the 2013 game
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Josh Hamilton misses a ball hit by Boston Red Sox's Jonny Gomes during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., July 5, 2013.
(JAE C. HONG/AP)
Mike Napoli, 1B, Red Sox (with Rangers in 2012)
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers
Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees
Josh Hamilton, OF, Angels (with Rangers in 2012)
Curtis Granderson, OF, Yankees
CC Sabathia, P, Yankees
Jered Weaver, P, Angels
C.J. Wilson, P, Angels
Jake Peavey, P, White Sox
Matt Wierters, C, Orioles
Billy Butler, DH, Royals
Paul Konerko, 1B, White Sox
Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers
Ryan Cook, P, Athletics
Matt Harrison, P, Rangers
Jim Johnson, P, Baltimore
Chris Perez, P, Indians
David Price, P, Rays
Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Indians
Mark Trumbo, OF, Angels
Adam Dunn, DH, White Sox
20.2012 N.L. All-Stars not in the 2013 game
San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval warms up for a baseball game in San Diego, Saturday, July 13, 2013.
(LENNY IGNELZI/AP)
Dan Uggla, 2B, Braves
Rafael Furcal, SS, Cardinals
Melky Cabrera, OF, Giants
Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Giants
Matt Cain, P, Giants
Gio Gonzalez, P, Nationals
Cole Hamels, P, Phillies
Stephen Strasburg, P, Nationals
Jonathan Papelbon, P, Phillies
Matt Holliday, OF, Cardinals
Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
David Freese, 3B, Cardinals
R.A. Dickey, P, Blue Jays (with Mets in 2012)
Joel Hanrahan, P, Red Sox (with Pirates in 2012)
Lance Lynn, P, Cardinals
Wade Miley, P, Diamondbacks
Huston Street, P, Padres
Carlos Ruiz, C, Phillies
Bryan LaHair, 1B, playing in Japan (with Cubs in 2012)
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros
Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs
Ian Desmond, SS, Nationals
Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves (now retired)
Michael Bourn, OF, Indians (with Braves in 2012)
Jay Bruce, OF, Reds
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Marlins
