As we don't have any Brewer baseball today or tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to look at the history of the Milwaukee Brewers representation in the MLB All-Star game.
I recently discovered some old Gillette AS ballots. Gillette started issuing these ballots to the fans in 1970, which is a great launching point for Brewer fans. The ballot has seen some changes over the years, and I have logged them below. As a side note, 1970 was not the first time that fans were able to vote for their favorite players. In 1957 MLB discovered that the naughty people of Cincinnati were able to get their entire team and Stan Musial elected to the AS game. No Hank Aaron, no Willie Mays, no Roberto Clemente, just a bunch of Reds and Stan the Man.
MLB investigated this silliness and subsequently took away the voting privilege from the fans, until 1970, when apparently we learned our lesson and could be trusted to vote honestly and not stuff the ballot box.
As you all know, the fans only chose the starting position players. The bench and the pitchers are chosen by the team's manager. Every team is supposed to have a representative, Ellie Rodriguez is pretty thankful for that. Most of the names that you see below you should have expected to see. Still, I think some people forget how good of a player Don Money was, and I think looking at this information will help put some historical perspective on our team.
Enjoy!
1970
Brewers on the ballot: Tommy Harper (2b)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Joe Azcue (c), George Scott (1b), Sal Bando (3b), Ken McMullen (3b), Hank Aaron (of), Larry Hisle (of), Jimmy Wynn (of), Ollie Brown (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the All-star roster: Tommy Harper (3b)
Notes: 1970 was the year that MLB returned the privilege of voting for All-stars back to the fans. The ballots were provided to the fans by the fine people at the Gillette Company. Fans could chose one infield position player per league out of six choices, and could chose three outfielders from a list of 20. The ballot also allowed for write-in candidates to be selected, and former Milwaukee Brave Rico Carty, was written in by the fans to represent Atlanta in 1970.
1971
Brewers on the ballot: Tommy Harper (3b), Phil Roof (c)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Ray Fosse (c), Phil Roof (c), George Scott (1b), Jack Heidemann (ss), Sal Bando (3b), Ken McMullen (3b), Don Money (3b), Hank Aaron (of), Felipe Alou (of), Bernie Carbo (of), Jimmy Wynn (of), Ollie Brown (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the All-star roster: Marty Pattin (p-DNP)
Notes: Don Money makes his first ballot appearance, and Phil Roof (who played for both the Braves and Brewers in Milwaukee) gets a spot on the ballot as well. Roof, would be traded to the Twins on July 8th for Paul Ratliff. Also the ballot expanded in 1971 to include eight infielder choices and 24 outfielders for each league.
1972
Brewers on the ballot: Johnny Briggs (1b), George Scott (3b), Dave May (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Ray Fosse (c), Ted Simmons (c), Sal Bando (3b), Ken McMullen (3b), Don Money (3b), Hank Aaron (of), Jimmy Wynn (of), Ollie Brown (of), Tommy Harper (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the All-star roster: Ellie Rodriguez (c-DNP)
Notes: Off-season acquisitions Briggs and Scott (even though the Boomer only played 27 games at 3b) make the ballot for the Crew, as does catcher Ted Simmons for the first time in St. Louis.
1973
Brewers on the ballot: Johnny Briggs (of), George Scott (1b), Dave May (of), Ellie Rodriguez (c), Don Money (3b)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Ray Fosse (c), Sal Bando (3b), Hank Aaron (of), Ted Simmons (c), Jimmy Wynn (of), Bobby Darwin (of), Ken Berry (of), Tommy Harper (of), Jose Cardenal (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Dave May (of), Jim Colborn (p-DNP)
Notes: Don Money appears as a Brewer for the first time. 1973 would be the first time the Brewers had more than one representative in the game.
1974
Brewers on the ballot: George Scott (1b), Darrell Porter (c), Don Money (3b), Pedro Garcia (2b), Dave May (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Ray Fosse (c), Sal Bando (3b), Hank Aaron (of), Ted Simmons (c), Jimmy Wynn (of), Bobby Darwin (of), Tommy Harper (of), Jose Cardenal (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Darrell Porter (c-dnp), Don Money (3b)
Notes: Darrell Porter appears on the ballot for the first time. Don Money makes his first All-star appearance.
1975
Brewers on the ballot: Robin Yount (ss), George Scott (1b), Darrell Porter (c), Don Money (3b), Hank Aaron (of), Johnny Briggs (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Ray Fosse (c), Jim Sundberg (c), Ellie Rodriguez (c) Sal Bando (3b), Ted Simmons (c), Jimmy Wynn (of), Bobby Darwin (of), Jose Cardenal (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Hank Aaron (of), George Scott (1b)
Notes: Hank Aaron makes his last All-star ballot appearance as a Brewer. Johnny Briggs was traded in June to the Twins for Bobby Darwin. Robin Yount makes his first ballot as well. County Stadium hosted this game in 1975, which was fitting to end Hank Aaron's illustrious All-Star appearance streak. Brewer manager Del Crandall helped coach the AL squad, and 8 of the 9 starters for the AL were either Yankees or Athletics.
1976
Brewers on the ballot: Robin Yount (ss), George Scott (1b), Darrell Porter (c), Don Money (3b)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Jim Sundberg (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Gary Sutherland (2b), Sal Bando (3b), Ted Simmons (c), Jimmy Wynn (of), Larry Hisle (of), Rick Manning (of), Jose Cardenal (of), Dave Parker (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Bill Travers (p-DNP), Don Money (3b)
Notes: Hank Aaron ends his All-star appearance streak at 21 games.
1977
Brewers on the ballot: Cecil Cooper (1b), Don Money (2b), Sal Bando (3b), Robin Yount (ss)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: George Scott (1b), Willie Randolph (2b), Ray Fosse (c), Ted Simmons (c), Jose Cardenal (of), Larry Hisle (of), Rick Manning (of), Dave Parker (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Jim Slaton (p-DNP), Don Money (2b-DNP)
Notes: The Brewers put a complete infield on the ballot for the first time.
1978
Brewers on the ballot: Ray Fosse (c), Cecil Cooper (1b), Don Money (2b), Robin Yount (ss), Larry Hisle (of), Sixto Lezcano (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Darrell Porter (c), Jim Sundberg (c), George Scott (1b), Willie Randolph (2b), Roy Howell (3b), Ted Simmons (c), Rick Manning (of), Dave Parker (of)
Brewers voted in: Don Money (2b)
Brewers on the roster: Money, Lary Sorenson (P), Larry Hisle (OF)
Notes: Newly acquired Larry Hisle makes his first ballot appearance for the Brewers. The greatest Brewer of all-time, Sixto Lezcano makes his inaugural ballot visit. Ray Fosse was picked up by the Brewers in December of 1977, but didn't play for the Brewers in 1978. Don Money also became the first Brewer to be selected by the fans to start an All-Star game. 1978 would also be the only AS game in MLB history, where one team provided two guys named "Larry" with different spellings.
1979
Brewers on the ballot: Cecil Cooper (1b), Paul Molitor (2b), Robin Yount (ss), Don Money (3b), Sal Bando (3b), Larry Hisle (of), Sixto Lezcano (of), Gorman Thomas (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Darrell Porter (c), Jim Sundberg (c), George Scott (1b), Willie Randolph (2b), Ted Simmons (c), Rick Manning (of), Dave Parker (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Cecil Cooper (1b)
Notes: The ballot expands to 27 listed outfielders per league, and 9 infielders. The Brewers managed to get two third-basemen on the ballot in Don Money and Sal Bando. Eight Brewers on the ballot was the most to date. Cecil Cooper got to be the token representative for the Brewers in 1979, his first AS appearance.
1980
Brewers on the ballot: Cecil Cooper (1b), Paul Molitor (2b), Robin Yount (ss), Larry Hisle (of), Sixto Lezcano (of), Gorman Thomas (of), Ben Oglivie (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Darrell Porter (c), Jim Sundberg (c), Rick Dempsey (c), Rick Cerone (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Ted Simmons (c), Rick Manning (of), Dave Parker (of)
Brewers voted in: Paul Molitor (2b-Injured)
Brewers on the roster: Cecil Cooper (1b), Robin Yount (ss), Ben Oglivie (of)
Notes: 1980 found four Brewers outfielders on the ballot. Robin Yount made his first AS game, and Paul Molitor made his first as well, however was injured and didn't play. Ben Oglivie became the 2nd Brewer to be selected to start an AS game for the Brewers.
1981
Brewers on the ballot: Cecil Cooper (1b), Ted Simmons (c), Robin Yount (ss), Paul Molitor (of), Gorman Thomas (of), Ben Oglivie (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Darrell Porter (c), Jim Sundberg (c), Rick Dempsey (c), Rick Cerone (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Sixto Lezcano (c), Dave Parker (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Ted Simmons (c), Gorman Thomas (of)
Notes: In 1981 the All-star game was canceled, due to the player's strike. However, once an agreement was reached between the players union and the owners, the AS game was played to start the 2nd half of the season. Paul Molitor was listed as an OFer for the first time.
1982
Brewers on the ballot: Cecil Cooper (1b), Jim Gantner (2b), Robin Yount (ss), Paul Molitor (3b), Ted Simmons (c), Gorman Thomas (of), Ben Oglivie (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Darrell Porter (c), Jim Sundberg (c), Rick Dempsey (c), Rick Cerone (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Rick Manning (of), Dave Parker (of), Sixto Lezcano (of)
Brewers voted in: Robin Yount (ss)
Brewers on the roster: Cecil Cooper (1b), Rollie Fingers (p), Ben Oglivie (of)
Notes: Jimmy Gantner makes his first AS ballot appearance. The Brewers go to the World Series. Cecil Cooper was a starter in this game as he replaced the elected starter Rod Carew, who had to sit out because of injury.
1983
Brewers on the ballot: Ted Simmons (c), Cecil Cooper (1b), Jimmy Gantner (2b) Paul Molitor (3b), Robin Yount (ss), Gorman Thomas (of), Ben Oglivie (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Darrell Porter (c), Jim Sundberg (c), Rick Dempsey (c), Rick Cerone (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Rick Manning (of), Dave Parker (of), Tom Brunansky (of)
Brewers voted in: Ted Simmons (c), Robin Yount (ss)
Brewers on the roster: Cecil Cooper (1b), Ben Oglivie (of)
Notes: Mid-season 1983 Gorman Thomas and Rick Manning were traded for each other (along with some crappy pitchers). Harvey Kuenn managed the AL squad, which featured two fan-elected Brewers in the starting lineup for the first time.
1984
Brewers on the ballot: Jim Sundberg (c) Ted Simmons (c/dh), Cecil Cooper (1b), Jimmy Gantner (2b) Paul Molitor (3b), Robin Yount (ss) , Ben Oglivie (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Darrell Porter (c), Rick Dempsey (c), Bill Doran (2b), Dickie Thon (ss), Willie Randolph (2b), Gorman Thomas (of), Dave Parker (of), Tom Brunansky (of), Jeff Leonard (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Jim Sundberg (c)
Notes: 1984 was the first year that players were labeled as "DH" on the ballot. Ted Simmons was in the catcher grouping, but labeled as a DH. The Brewers are back to only one OF on the ballot. There were a lot of great players on the 1984 Brewers, but Jim Sundberg was the lone representative from Milwaukee
1985
Brewers on the ballot: Cecil Cooper (1b), Jimmy Gantner (2b) Paul Molitor (3b), Robin Yount (ss) , Ben Oglivie (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Greg Brock (1b), Bill Doran (2b), Dickie Thon (2b), Darrell Porter (c), Jim Sundberg (c), Rick Dempsey (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Rick Manning (of), Dave Parker (of), Tom Brunansky (of), Jeff Leonard (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Cecil Cooper (1b), Paul Molitor (3b)
Notes: 1985 had some familiar names in Cooper and Molitor make the AL squad.
1986
Brewers on the ballot: Rick Cerone (c), Cecil Cooper (1b), Jimmy Gantner (2b) Paul Molitor (3b), Ernie Riles (ss), Ben Oglivie (of), Robin Yount (of), Mike Felder (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Greg Brock (1b), Bill Doran (2b), Dickie Thon (ss), Kevin Bass (of), Jim Sundberg (c), Rick Dempsey (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Dave Parker (of), Tom Brunansky (of), Jeff Leonard (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Teddy Higuera (p)
Notes: In 1986 the ballot expanded to 12 NL infielders and 36 NL outfielders, 14 AL infielders and 42 AL outfielders. So essentially each team had one representative at each position for the first time. Robin Yount is listed as an OF for the first time. Teddy Higuera became one of the very few Brewer starters to pitch in the AS game. Teddy pitched 3 strong innings and even got to show his off his batting skills -- he struck out.
1987
Brewers on the ballot: Greg Brock (1b), Jimmy Gantner (2b) Paul Molitor (3b), Eddie Diaz (ss) , Bill Schroeder (c), Robin Yount (of), Rob Deer (of), Glenn Braggs (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Franklin Stubbs (1b), Bill Doran (2b), Darrell Porter (c), Rick Dempsey (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Dave Parker (of), Tom Brunansky (of), Jeff Leonard (of), Dave Leonard (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Dan Plesac (p)
Notes:Greg Brock replaced Cecil Cooper (eww). Bill Schroeder made it to the ballot. I wonder if he was ever aware of that. For the second year in a row, the Brewers only send one player -- a LHP, to the AS game.
1988
Brewers on the ballot: Greg Brock (1b), Jimmy Gantner (3b) Paul Molitor (2b), Dale Sveum (ss) , BJ Surhoff (c), Robin Yount (of), Rob Deer (of), Glenn Braggs (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Randy Ready (2b), Bill Doran (2b), Julio Franco (2b), Scott Fletcher (ss), Jamie Quirk (c), Dave Valle (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Dave Parker (of), Tom Brunansky (of), Jeff Leonard (of), Dave Leonard (of), Kevin Bass (of), Dion James (of)
Brewers voted in: Paul Molitor (2b)
Brewers on the roster: Dan Plesac (p)
Notes: 1988 was the first year that the team was listed along with the player's name. Molitor and Gantner switch positions on the ballot. Paul Molitor won the fan vote for the first time in his career in 1988.
1989
Brewers on the ballot: Greg Brock (1b), Jimmy Gantner (2b) Paul Molitor (3b), Gary Sheffield (ss) , BJ Surhoff (c), Robin Yount (of), Rob Deer (of), Glenn Braggs (of)
Former/Future Brewers on the Ballot: Bill Doran (2b), Dickie Thon (ss), Julio Franco (2b), Scott Fletcher (ss), Dave Valle (c), Willie Randolph (2b), Dave Parker (of), Tom Brunansky (of), Jeff Leonard (of), Dave Leonard (of), Kevin Bass (of), Dion James (of)
Brewers voted in: None
Brewers on the roster: Dan Plesac (p)
Notes: Dan Plesac made his 3rd consecutive appearance for the Brewers in 1989, tying the mark set by Don Money in 1976-78.