You can learn a lot about the history of the All-Star Game by looking through the record book.
Players from the first game through the most recent ones are listed for being the best of the best. We picked out a few categories among the all-time leaders and share a little information about their great feats while playing in the best All-Star game of all the professional sports.
Batting average: .500
Charlie Gehringer and Ted Kluszewski: Gehringer went 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in the very first All-Star Game in 1933 — batting in front of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Big Klu once his 49 homers in a season, but he was more than a power hitter. He was 7-for-14 with three doubles and one home run in four All-Star Games.
Slugging percentage: 1.000
Alfonso Soriano: He had a hand in the infamous 2002 All-Star Game that ended in a tie, hitting a home run off of Eric Gagne in the fifth inning. In 2007, he homered off J.J. Putz in the ninth inning to bring the NL within 5-4, but Francisco Rodriguez came in for the final out and the save. Soriano was named to seven All-Star teams and played in six.
Doubles 7
Dave Winfield: He produced a double in his first All-Star Game, in 1977 as a member of the San Diego Padres. Winfield was named to every All-Star team from 1977 through 1988. He batted seventh, between Cal Ripken, Jr. and Jim Rice, in the 1985 game at the Metrodome. He doubled in his final All-Star Game in 1988 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.
Wins: 3
Lefty Gomez: Gomez was named to the first seven All-Star teams and was the winning pitcher in 1933, '35 and '37. He pitched six innings to get the win in 1935 — a also record. That's something we'll never see again because All-Star starters today go one or two innings. Grove's one loss came in 1938.
Strikeouts: 19
Don Drysdale: The sidearmer with the explosive fastball also holds the record for most innings pitched, at 19⅓. His first All-Star Game was in 1959, when he struck out Nellie Fox, Al Kaline, Rocky Colavito and Early Wynn during a three-inning outing. He started both All-Star Games that year — yes, there were two that year — going 1-1 in those games.
