MLB All-Star Game: Each team’s worst All-Star selections ever

St. Louis Cardinals – Rafael Furcal (2012)

Rafael Furcal enjoyed a few great years as a member of the Atlanta Braves during the early part of the century, so much so that many viewed him as one of the more significant shortstop prospects of the decade. So when injuries and off the field issues started to stand in the way of that potential, teams started to find ways to try and figure out a way to get some of the leftover magic out of him.

The 2012 Cardinals were one of those teams, and after seeing some of that potential show through down the stretch in 2011, St. Louis re-upped with Furcal for two more seasons starting in 2012. In the first half of that season those glimpses still showed, with Furcal hitting .275/.337/.364 with five home runs, 54 runs scored, and 36 RBI. Combined with his performance down the stretch in 2011 (and perhaps the World Series title the team won), that first half work earned Furcal the fan vote to start at shortstop for the National League in the 2012 All-Star Game.

The problem was, Furcal was nowhere near the best possible choice; neither was back-up Starlin Castro. Furcal finished the first half with a 0.8 WAR, which ranked him 8th in the National League at the time. Castro, at 1.3, was 6th. Rather, secondary back-up Ian Desmond should have been the starter, with Jed Lowrie of the Astros (2.4 WAR) and Jimmie Rollins of the Phillies (2.0) much more fitting of spots on the roster.

Furcal’s selection was likely a combination of factors. St. Louis fans always turn out strong in the balloting, but most likely it was a result of the classic World Series hangover. Furcal would hurt his elbow later that season and would miss time from August forward. The injury would then necessitate Tommy John surgery, and essentially ended his career.

Next: Tampa Bay Rays - Lance Carter (2003)