The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is one of the highlights of the season. It’s when all the best players converge on one night to display their abilities and demonstrate why they are the top players in the game. While it is remarkable to participate in the game one time, those who play in it year in and year out truly distance themselves from the rest of the pack and earn the stature of legend. In his final season in the Big Leagues, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will be making his 14th appearance and ninth start in the Midsummer Classic. While these numbers are exceptional, he does not even crack the top 10 for most appearances in the All-Star Game. With everyone’s attention focused on today’s stars as they take the field in Minnesota on Tuesday night in the 85th All-Star Game, here are the top 10 players for most seasons making an All-Star Game appearance:
[new page = A five-way tie]
10. Yogi Berra, Al Kaline, Brooks Robinson, Tony Gwynn, Ozzie Smith
Yogi Berra, Al Kaline, Brooks Robinson, Tony Gwynn, Ozzie Smith each made the All-Star Game in 15 seasons during the course of their careers. Berra made all of his appearance in consecutive years (1948-62). Robinson’s 15 appearances were also in consecutive seasons (1960-74).
[new page = Mickey Mantle]
9. Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle was selected for the All-Star Game 16 times. He was a three time AL MVP over the course of his 18 year career.
[new page = Pete Rose]
T-7. Pete Rose
Pete Rose was named to the All-Star Game 17 times in his 24 year career. He won three batting titles and one NL MVP award.
[new page = Ted Williams]
T-7. Ted Williams
Ted Williams was selected for the All-Star Game in 17 seasons. He claimed six batting titles and two Triple Crowns. He hit .400 three times and only batted below .300 once in his 19-year career.
[new page = Carl Yastrzemski]
T-5. Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski played in 18 All-Star Games. Over the course of his 23-year career, he won three batting titles, two AL MVP awards and one Triple Crown.
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T-5. Rod Carew
Rod Carew made the All-Star Game 18 times over the course of his 19 year career. He won seven batting titles, including four straight (from 1972-75). He claimed the 1967 AL Rookie of the Year award and 1977 AL MVP honors.
[new page = Cal Ripken Jr.]
4. Cal Ripken Jr.
Cal Ripken Jr. played in the All-Star Game in 19 of his 21 seasons in the Majors. Twice he won All-Star Game MVP honors. The two-time AL MVP will be remembered best for setting the Major League record for most consecutive games played (2,632).
[new page = Stan Musial]
T-2. Stan Musial
Stan Musial played in the All-Star Games in 20 seasons during his 22-year career. The three-time NL MVP claimed seven batting titles.
[new page = Willie Mays]
T-2. Willie Mays
Willie Mays played in the All-Star Game in 20 seasons. The two-time All-Star Game MVP played 22 years in the Big Leagues. He won two NL MVP awards and finished his career with 660 home runs.
[new page = Hank Aaron]
1. Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron made the All-Star Game in 21 seasons during his 23-year career. He hit 755 home runs, which was the most in history at the time he retired in 1976.