The Best All-Star Performances in Texas Rangers History

The Top 5 Texas Rangers All-Star Performances in franchise history

MLB All-Star week is a yearly spectacle that displays premier talent that represents both leagues, the American League and the National League, in not only a full nine-inning game, but also the Home Run Derby, where players can be seen crushing baseballs further than anyone else in the world.

The week brings magical moments that many fans will forever hold dear to their hearts and displays that America’s pastime is still alive and well. While there are still some decisions to be made on who will represent the AL and the NL in the big game, and the home run derby participants are yet to be announced, the excitement for the midsummer classic is growing.

Regardless of how fan voting is turning out this year, it will likely lead to your Texas Rangers only having one representative in the game; even though they had three last year on a team that had less wins at the All-Star break than this year’s Rangers do now.

We may have to ignore the disrespect and look at past performances and displays of greatness in the yearly contest that shows which league has the greater players. With that being said, the following are what I deem to be the best performances of All-Star week in Rangers history.

The Top 5 Texas Rangers All-Star Performances in franchise history

5. Hank Blalock, 2003 All-Star Game

In just his 2nd year in the big leagues, Rangers then 3rd baseman Blalock surged through the first half, sporting a slash of .323/.375/.524 with 17 home runs heading into the 2003 All-Star Game. While he didn’t end up starting for the AL squad, he certainly made his mark by the end of the game. As the game went on, Blalock stayed sitting on the bench, awaiting his time to make his mark.

It wasn’t until the 8th inning that AL manager Mike Scoscia called on Blalock to bat for Troy Glaus, who started the game at third base. Stepping up to the plate against Eric Gagne, who was in the midst of a perfect save season, with a runner on 2nd and his squad down six to five, Blalock smacked a pitch on a 3-and-1 count to right center for a home run. The ball traveled 427-feet and after it landed the AL had the lead and would hold onto it until the end of the game.

Garrett Anderson may have won the MVP award for the first ever All-Star game that counted towards home-field advantage in the World Series, but it was Blalock who had the biggest moment. Check it out here.