Most controversial scandals in MLB history: #21. Fans stuff the All-Star game ballot
When it comes to making the All-Star game, players pride themselves on being selected. The mere thought of being mentioned amongst the best players in the world is a feather in their cap that simply can’t be duplicated.
Their excitement, while high, plays second fiddle to die-hard fans. Although on some occasions, the win column may not be as plush as they would like, when it comes down to it, they want their player in the All-Star game. Their support, of course, is both understandable and relentless. With that said, they took things overboard in 1957.
On the year, fans of the Cincinnati Redlegs did everything in their power to get their hometown players in the big game. Ultimately, it resulted in seven Redlegs getting a starting spot and eight players getting selected all together. MLB decided to investigate and that’s when things got weird.
The local Cincinnati newspaper was found to have printed out several All-Star game ballots with the Redlegs starting lineup and gave them out.
To make matters worse, local bars reportedly refused to serve alcohol to customers unless they filled out a ballot for the Redlegs starters. In the end, it all worked but MLB was none too pleased. They replaced two players from the starting lineup and suspended the fan vote because of it.