MIAMI-BOUND QUINTET
The Astros’ All-Star starters join some impressive company.
The Astros’ contingent at this year’s MLB All-Star Game in Miami will be a historic group.
For the first time, Houston will have three starters voted in by the fans, with the trio of second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa and outfielder George Springer set to start for the American League on Tuesday at Marlins Park. Starting pitchers Dallas Keuchel — who won’t pitch because of injury — and Lance McCullers Jr. are the other Astros all-stars.
Here’s a look at the other times Astros players have started in the AllStar Game:
1972: First baseman Lee May went 1-for-4 with an RBI in the National League’s 4-3 victory in 10 innings at Atlanta.
1973: At Kansas City, Cesar Cedeno started in center field for the NL and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in its 7-1 win.
1980: J.R. Richard started and struck out three in two scoreless innings of a 4-2 NL win at Dodger Stadium.
1987: Righthander Mike Scott started for the NL at Oakland and threw two shutout innings, striking out one. The NL won 2-0 in 13 innings.
1995: Craig Biggio made his first All-Star start at second base, going 1-for-2 with a solo home run at Arlington in the NL’s 3-2 victory.
1996: Craig Biggio once again started for the NL at second base, going 0-for-3 with an RBI in a 6-0 romp at Philadelphia.
1997: For the first time, the Astros had two AllStar starters, with Craig Biggio at second base and Jeff Bagwell at first for the NL at Cleveland. Each went 0-for-3 as the American League won 3-1.
1998: Craig Biggio made his fourth straight All-Star start at second for the NL. He went 0-for-3 in the AL’s 13-8 win at Denver. 1999: Returning to his New England roots, Jeff Bagwell started at designated hitter for the NL and was 1-for-3 in its 4-1 loss at Boston.
2004: Three Astros started as Minute Maid Park hosted its first All-Star Game. Jeff Kent (second base) was voted in by the fans, while Roger Clemens was named the NL’s starting pitcher and Lance Berkman (center field) started as a replacement for injured starter Ken Griffey Jr. Clemens was touched up for six runs (three earned) on five hits in one inning and took the loss in the NL’s 9-4 setback. Berkman was 0-for-2. Kent went 1-for-2 and scored a run.
2008: At New York, Lance Berkman started at first base and went 0-for-2 with an RBI in the NL’s 4-3 loss in 15 innings at the old Yankee Stadium.
2015: Second baseman Jose Altuve (voted in) and lefthander Dallas Keuchel started for the AL at Cincinnati. Keuchel allowed one unearned run in two innings. Meanwhile, Altuve went 0-for-2 as the AL won 6-3.
2016: At San Diego, Jose Altuve made his second straight start at second base, going 0-for-3 in the AL’s 4-2 victory.