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The Unlikely All-Star: A Story of Serendipity
13 Jul
Summary
- Three players made the All-Star team in 1984, a franchise first.
- One player was an All-Star due to a last-minute roster change.
- The player made the team simply by being in the right place.
The 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game featured a franchise-record three selections from one team: Dave Stieb, Damaso Garcia, and Alfredo Griffin. Stieb, a four-time All-Star by then, pitched well as the starting pitcher, finishing the season with a 16-8 record.
Damaso Garcia, a middle infielder, made his first of two All-Star appearances. He showcased decent batting and speed, typical for the era. Griffin, however, is highlighted as a surprising selection, being a defense-first shortstop with a lagging batting average that year.
Griffin's inclusion stemmed from a fortunate turn of events. He accompanied Garcia to San Francisco, and when an injury created a last-minute roster opening, AL manager Joe Altobelli added Griffin, partly due to his presence. Griffin entered the game but did not bat, recording one assist.
