The Colorado Rockies, known for their poor performance this season, will have catcher Hunter Goodman as an All-Star representative, despite questions over his status among the best players. All MLB teams are required to have at least one All-Star, which allows players, including those not typically recognized as elite, to gain this honor. Historical analysis of All-Star selections reveals that many players, like Frankie Zak, have had surprising and obscure paths to this designation, particularly during periods like World War II when player demographics shifted dramatically.
Frankie Zak stands out among all others as the unlikeliest All-Star of all time. It happened during World War II, when the majors were full of minor leaguers and 4-F players unable to serve in the military.
Zak played just 123 games in the majors, hit no home runs and drove in just 14 runs. He made the roster out of spring training but didn't even start a game until June 1.
Zak was hitting .305 with the Pittsburgh Pirates at the All-Star break, demonstrating how circumstances can lead to surprising achievements in sports.
Every team gets an All-Star representative, ensuring that players like Hunter Goodman, despite the team's overall performance, still gain recognition for individual accomplishments.
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