MLB All-Star Game: Each team’s worst All-Star selections ever
Cincinnati Reds – Gus Bell (1957)
The 1950’s were an interesting time in the history of the Cincinnati Reds. Known then as the Cincinnati Redlegs while trying to distance themselves from Communism during the Cold War, Cincinnati perhaps though naming a guy named “Gus” to the All-Star team would try to sell the American spirit a bit more. Or maybe it was something different.
In 1957, the Cincinnati Reds were embroiled in an intriguing scandal. You see, the fans in Cincinnati apparently took it upon themselves to stuff the ballot boxes, including using pre-printed ballots with all Reds checked off in an attempt to get the entire team elected. When final votes were tallied, seven Reds players including Bell were elected. Commissioner Ford Frick would have none of it, appointing Hank Aaron and Willie Mays to the line-up, replacing Bell and fellow Reds outfielder Wally Post with two of the most luminary hitters of all-time. Bell was then slid into a reserve role.
To Bell’s defense, he was no stranger to the All-Star game, as 1957 was his fourth selection. However, Bell was little more than a replacement level player in 1957, hitting just 13 home runs after launching 29 the season before. His selection to this list is more due to the fact that fans took it upon themselves to try and rob the game of its true stars and, in the process, had the fan vote stripped from them until 1970. Bell wasn’t necessarily the villain of the piece, but he was certainly the recipient.
Next: Cleveland Indians - Johnny Temple (1961)