Phillies Players Typically Suck In The All-Star Game

Jul 14, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ed Pfeiffer from Majestic presents jerseys to Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee (33) left fielder Domonic Brown (9) and the Phillie Phanatic in honor of their selection to the all-star game prior to playing the Chicago White Sox at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the White Sox 4-3 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies players can win home run derbys. That, they’ve got down.

But when it comes to hitting the baseball effectively, or with impact, in the actual Major League Baseball All-Star Game itself, Phils’ All-Stars have typically not done too much.

Bob Vetrone of the Philadelphia Daily News had an interesting look at a Phils’ All-Star Game RBI drought that has reached epic proportions. But going beyond that, it’s hard to find a Phillies offensive player that has done anything noteworthy whatsoever.

Of course, the best Phillies moment in All-Star Game history was Johnny Callison‘s walk-off homer in the 1964 Midsummer Classic, as evidenced by this extremely helpful video footage apparently shot from a neighboring building across the street from the stadium.

That was the high water mark for Phils’ All-Stars, and that happened 49 years ago.

Hey Dom Brown. It’s all on you now. No pressure, dude.

Last year, Carlos Ruiz went 0 for 1. In 2011, neither Placido Polanco or Shane Victorino actually played in the game. In 2010, Ryan Howard went 0 for 2 with a strikeout and Chase Utley did not get an at bat. In 2009, five position players made the All-Star team. Howard, Utley, Raul Ibanez, Victorino and Jayson Werth went a combined 1 for 8 with a run scored.

And so on.

In fact, perhaps the All-Star Game moment that is most closely associated with the Phillies was this terrific at bat by John Kruk in the ’93 game against Randy Johnson. Cue the hilarity.

Admittedly, that was pretty damn funny.

Still, most Phillies fans tune into the All-Star Game every year hoping to watch one of their players shine brightly with the rest of the best of the best of Major League Baseball. Usually what you get is an 0 for 2 performance with a strikeout and groundout. Maybe a Phils player will work a walk or something. But it’s been a long time since a Phils player has actually had a real impact on an All-Star Game.

Not that it really matters. After all, this is just a pointless exhibition that doesn’t mean anything.

Other than homefield advantage in the World Series, of course.

Like that matters.