Best players to never make an MLB All-Star roster: 15. Jim Gantner
Stats:
- 1,696 hits
- 47 home runs
- .274 batting average
The 1970s and 80s were a much different time. The gaudy stats weren’t as prevalent. Impact on an overall ball game was the most important measuring stick of a player’s greatness. Or so it seemed.
Jim Gantner was consistent in terms of his effort, ability to get on base and register a crucial hit. At first glance, his All-Star credentials appear poor. Only once did Gantner put together a season of double-digit home runs. He also registered at least 70 RBIs only once as well. His slugging percentage and on base percentage weren’t eye-catching but that was 80s baseball.
In 1983, the same season in which he put together a career-best 11 homers, he seemed to be an All-Star game lock. By the time the teams were selected, Gantner had registered seven on the year. Yet, he was passed up in the voting by a player named Manny Trillo. If you thought Gantner’s seven home runs were bad then get this, Trillo, didn’t record a single home run at the time, but still got the nod over Gantner.
For the duration of his career, Gantner would continue to experience All-Star snubs, despite putting up better stats than his counterparts. Maybe Gantner shouldn’t have made an All-Star squad in retrospect but compared to his competition, he was more than deserving.