MLB All-Star Game: Each team’s worst All-Star selections ever
Kansas City Royals – Mark Redman (2006)
One can hardly fault the Royals for streaming to the ballot box and voting for their favorite players in 2015. While the “every team gets a representative” makes things fair, it certainly has had its way of painting the Royals into a tough corner. No other organization in the history of the All-Star Game has been forced to endure more shameful representation than the Royals.
While we had our pick of the litter here, with such graceful picks as Aaron Crow (2011) and Mike MacDougal (2003), it was the selection of Mark Redman that really took the cake for Kansas City.
During the 2006 campaign, Redman posted an 11-10 record, a 5.71 ERA, and a 4.99 FIP. His peripheral stats weren’t much better, as he struggled to strike-out hitters (4.10 K/9), walked too many (3.40 BB/9), and surrendered a .302 batting average against.
Now, one would think that perhaps he suffered a second-half dip, but it isn’t really that simply. Redman posted a 7-4 record, but a 5.27 ERA and a 3.5 K/9 mark in the first half. Needless to say, we can get a pretty good read on Mark Redman as an All-Star from those lines.
Given the state of pitching in Kansas City in 2006, its truly remarkable that American League manager Ozzie Guillen opted for a pitcher to represent the team. Third baseman Mark Teahen would have been a more logical choice, as would have outfielder Emil Brown. But when the heck, it’s not like the game meant anything…
Next: Los Angeles Angels - Ryne Duren (1961)