Orioles History: Only diehard fans will remember these 6 obscure Baltimore All-Stars

The 2024 MLB All-Star Game is fast approaching as the selection process is underway. In early stages, we'll vote for the best and/or our favorite players to start the Midsummer Classic in Arlington, Texas. Our hope to see Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Corbin Burnes, Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle, and others. So many possibilities for the American League squad.

But, for the sake of this exercise, we'll remember some lesser-known players who represented our lovely franchise on this big stage — the one-hit wonder guys who played because MLB rules state teams must have at least one player to represent all the 30 franchises or those with random breakout seasons, only never to heard from again. Then there are the multi-time All-Stars we have simply forgotten about. It happens.

Only diehard Orioles fans will remember these 6 obscure Baltimore All-Stars

Jonathan Schoop (2017)

Seven years ago, Jonathan Schoop had his best year in the majors. With a .293/.338/.543 slash line, 182 hits, 32 home runs and 105 RBI, the former Oriole finished 12th in MVP voting and earned a selection to the All-Star Game at Marlins Park. He came off the bench in the top of the fifth inning, hit a double and scored a run. The AL won 2-1 in extras.

After that year, his game never reached that level. A down 2018 resulted in a trade for Milwaukee at trade deadline. Since then, he played for Minnesota and Detroit. He put good numbers in 2021, but he's been out of MLB since 2023 after the Tigers released him. Per his Baseball-Reference page, he play for the Algodoneros de Union Laguna in the Mexican League.

Ty Wigginton (2010)

One of the most "unknown" All-Stars in Baltimore Orioles history (we think he's helped some Immaculate Grids), Ty Wigginton played an All-Star Game in the twilight of his career (NL won, 3-1). The only Oriole on 2010 AL roster, he came to play defense at third base to replace Evan Longoria. He didn't have an at-bat, but Joe Girardi put him in the field. He's not a villain (All-Star in this case) like Cito Gaston and Alex Cora. Let's the Birds play!

Wigginton retired in 2013 for the St. Louis Cardinals.

George Sherrill (2008)

One of the players in the Erik Bedard trade, Sherrill was the first player in that package who played an All-Star Game in an Orioles uniform (Adam Jones and Chris Tillman waited some years to play, too). The lefty was the only representative of the O's in 2008, the last at the old Yankee Stadium.

That game went wild, finishing with a walk-off win by American League in the bottom 15th (a sac fly by Michael Young). Sherrill pitched in the 14th inning and just missed grabbing the victory. It'll be the only accolade of his career. After 2009, he didn't perform well for the Dodgers and Mariners, and retired after 2012 season.

Jimmy Key (1997)

The 1997 squad was remarkable. That team put five players on AL roster for the ASG. Most fans will remember Cal Ripken, Roberto Alomar, Brady Anderson and Mike Mussina. But lefty Jimmy Key was on that roster, too.

At 36 years old, the veteran earned his fifth, and last, All-Star nod. He didn't play at Jacobs Field (AL won, 3-1), but if your Immaculate Grid ask for Orioles All-Stars, Key is one of them. He retired after 1998.

Terry Kennedy (1987)

In a brief two-year stint with Baltimore, Kennedy played in his fourth All-Star Game for Baltimore. Alongside Ripken, the catcher started that game at the Oakland Coliseum, but didn't have a good performance (0-2 with a strikeout). He spent 1988 with the O's, but saw a big downturn in production.

After that, he would log three more campaigns with the San Francisco Giants before calling it a acareer.

Don Aase (1986)

Reliever Don Aase played mostly of his career for the California Angels. In Baltimore, his second season in 1986, he blossomed. The closer had his breakout year with 34 saves and sub-3.00 ERA. He was chosen for the All-Star Game with Eddie Murray and Ripken. At the Astrodome, he closed the door against NL to earn a save in a 3-2 win.

He played for Baltimore until 1988. He retired as a member of Dodgers in 1990.

Birdland, do you remember another "obscure" All-Star? Let us know!