Happy All-Star Game Day, fans. In celebration, here’s a quick look at some Red Sox contributions to the Midsummer Classic.
There’ve been 18 All-Star Home Runs by Red Sox batters since the first All-Star Game in 1933. The most recent was a solo shot in the 4th inning by Adrián González in 2011.
17-time All-Star Ted Williams hit the most All-Star Home Runs by a Boston player (4). They came in 1941, 1946 (when he had two), and 1956.
Fred Lynn hit 3 All-Star Home Runs as a Sox player in 1976, 1979, and 1980 and then hit one more as a member of the California Angels in 1983. Lynn’s HR with Angels came on July 6, 1983 and is the only grand slam home run in All-Star Game history.
Other Red Sox players with All-Star Home Runs: Bobby Doerr (1941), Frank Malzone (’59), Pete Runnels (’62), Carl Yastrzemski (’75), George Scott (’77), Jim Rice (’83’), Wade Boggs (’89), David Ortiz (’04), Manny Ramírez (’04), J.D. Drew (’08), and Gonzalez (’11).
There has been only one walk-off home run by a Red Sox player in an All-Star Game: Of course, it was by Ted Williams on July 8, 1941. Williams’ impressive walk-off All-Star home run came with 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of the 9th with the AL down 5-4. In All-Star Game history, Williams’ walk-off home run was one of only three ever. The others were by Stan Musial (’55) and Johnny Callison (’64).
This year Brock Holt is the Red Sox’ sole representative to the 2015 All-Star Game. Since 2000 this is only 3rd time Boston has been represented by just one player. The others came in 2012 and 2001 when the Red Sox were represented by David Ortiz and Manny Ramírez, respectively.