The Best All-Star Performances in Texas Rangers History

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 12: Members of the Texas Rangers organization pose in the outfield during batting practice before the start of the 82nd MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field on July 12, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 12: Members of the Texas Rangers organization pose in the outfield during batting practice before the start of the 82nd MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field on July 12, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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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.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 03: A sign for the MLB All-Star game at Dodger Stadium on June 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 03: A sign for the MLB All-Star game at Dodger Stadium on June 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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

All-Star game MVP Garret Anderson (L) of the Anaheim Angels shakes hands with Hank Blalock (R) of the Texas Rangers who hit the game winning home run in the eighth inning 15 July, 2003 in the 74th mid-summer classic at US Cellular Field, in Chicago, IL. The American League beat the National League 7-6. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
All-Star game MVP Garret Anderson (L) of the Anaheim Angels shakes hands with Hank Blalock (R) of the Texas Rangers who hit the game winning home run in the eighth inning 15 July, 2003 in the 74th mid-summer classic at US Cellular Field, in Chicago, IL. The American League beat the National League 7-6. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

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.