I always thought that getting written in to start an all-star game was as cool as it got.
Granted, the first I ever heard of it was when Steve Garvey was written in to start at first base for the 1974 game.
But later on I learned that Atlanta Braves outfielder Rico Carty
was written in to start an all-star game four years earlier in 1970.
So I thought it would be cool to design a card celebrating Carty's
great season, which led him to a spot in the outfield alongside teammate
Hank Aaron and Giants superstar Willie Mays.
Check it out:
Carty was absolutely ripping the ball apart in 1970, eventually
leading the Major Leagues in batting with a red-hot .366 average to go
along with 25 homers and 101 runs batted in.
He even had a 31-game hitting streak that year, the Braves longest until Dan Uggla hit in 33 straight in 2011.
When all-star voting came around fans found out Carty wasn't even
on the ballot, so the write-in campaign started and picked up steam.
Pretty nifty stuff if you ask me.
Besides Carty and Garvey, I can't seem to find out if any other players were written into a starting spot in an all-star game.
Anyone out there know of others?
Would love to know who else achieved this over the years…