An Exclusive All-Star Club

2015 Topps Update
#US364 Mike Trout (AS)

 

Recently, MLB released it's first update of voting results for this year's All-Star game. As it stands now, Mike Trout is on track to be one of the starting outfielders for the American League. Should he be named a starter, he'll become just the 9th player ever selected by the fans to start 10 consecutive All-Star games! He's been named the starter every year since 2013 (with the exception of 2020, which of course did not have an All-Star game). Who else is in this prestigious club?

 

Voted to start 10 straight All-Star Games:

 

Johnny Bench, C (1969-1978) 

1976 Topps #300 Johnny Bench (AS)

 

After Bench's streak was broken in 1979 (he was injured anyway), he was selected as the starter for the 1980 All-Star Game.

Wade Boggs, 3B (1987-1996)

1987 Topps #608 Wade Bogg (AS, LL)

 

Boggs' first All-Star start was actually in 1986, when he replaced the injured George Brett. 

 

Willie Mays, OF (1957-1966) 

1958 Topps #486 Willie Mays (AS)

 

Mays also won an NL Gold Glove Award and finished in the top six in MVP voting in all 10 of these seasons.

 

Ozzie Smith, SS (1983-1992)

1992 Donruss #423 Ozzie Smith (AS)

 

Ozzie failed to make the All-Star team in 1993, but was the fans' selection the next two years.

Voted to start 11 straight All-Star Games: 

George Brett, 3B (1976-1986)

1978 Topps #100 George Brett (AS)

 

Just think, the AL All-Star squad only had 2 elected starting third basemen from 1976 to 1996! 

Ken Griffey Jr., OF (1990-2000)

1993 Stadium Club Murphy
#56 Ken Griffey, Jr. (AS)

 

All of these All-Star starts came before he turned 30 years old!

 

Voted to start 13 straight All-Star Games:

 

Cal Ripken Jr., SS/3B (1989-2001)

1991 Upper Deck Final Edition
#85F Cal Ripken Jr. (AS)

 

In 1988, Alan Trammell was voted in as the AL starting shortstop. If not for that little blip, Ripken's streak would have started in 1984. (Ironically enough, Trammell got hurt and couldn't play. Guess who started in his place?)

Voted to start an amazing 18 straight All-Star Games:

Rod Carew, 2B/1B (1967-1984)

1970 Topps #453 Rod Carew (AS)

 

This is the part where I remind you Carew played for 19 seasons. His last year (1985) was the only year he ever played without being selected to the All-Star game, not even as a reserve.

Here's hoping Trout joins this elite club!