Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson will become the 26th player with Alabama baseball roots to start in the MLB All-Star Game on July 16.
Henderson won the fan vote to start in the American League.
“I feel very honored and happy to be the starter,” Henderson said on Wednesday evening after the The starting lineups for the All-Star Game have been announced. “It’s great to be able to do this in my second full year. I’m very honored and truly blessed. …
“I think it’s a kind of recognition for the hard work that not only I have put in, but the hitting coaches, the infield coaches and all the other development staff. And the work continues, but I think it’s pretty cool to get recognition for it.”
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Henderson, a former Morgan Academy star and Alabama’s Mr. Baseball of the 2019 high school season, won the American League’s Rookie of the Year Award in 2023.
The 25 players from high schools, colleges, industrial leagues and sandlots in Alabama who previously participated in the MLB All-Star Game made a total of 72 starts.
Willie Mays, with 18, and Hank Aaron, with 17, have combined for nearly half of those starts. Mays, with 18, has more starts in center field than any other player in All-Star Game history, and Aaron, with 14, has more starts in right field than any other player in the All-Star Game.
The MLB All-Star Game will take place on July 16 at 7:00 p.m. CDT at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. FOX will televise the game.
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MLB All-Star Game starters who played for Alabama high schools and colleges or entered professional baseball from the state’s industrial leagues and sandlots include:
Willie Mays, Fairfield Industrial High School: 18 in midfield for the National League in the years 1957, 1958, 1959 (2), 1960 (2), 1961 (2), 1962 (2), 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971 and 1972.
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Hank Aaron, Central High School in Mobile: 17, including 14 in right field for the National League in 1957, 1958, 1959 (2), 1960 (2), 1963, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1974, one in left field for the NL in 1966, one in center field for the NL in 1967 and one at first base for the NL in 1973.
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Willie McCovey, Central High School in Mobile: Four at first base for the National League in 1966, 1969, 1969 and 1971.
Leon Wagner, Tuskegee: Three in left field for the American League in 1962 (2) and 1963.
Dixie Walker, Industrial Leagues in Birmingham: Three in right field for the National League in 1944, 1946 and 1947.
Frank Bolling, McGill Institute in Mobile, Spring Hill College: Two at second base for the National League in 1961.
Josh Donaldson, Faith Academy in Mobile, Auburn: Two at third base for the American League in 2014 and 2015.
Billy Moran, Russell County High School: Two at second base for the American League in 1962.
Jorge Posada, Calhoun Community College: Two as a catcher for the American League in 2002 and 2003.
Frank Thomas, Auburn: Two at first base for the American League in 1994 and 1995.
Harry Walker, Birmingham Industrial Associations: Two in midfield for the National League in 1943 and 1947.
Billy Williams, Mobile County Training School: Two, one in left field for the National League in 1964 and one in right field for the NL in 1973.
Tim Anderson, Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa: One as a shortstop for the American League in 2022.
Alex Avila, Alabama: One as a catcher for the American League in 2011.
Ben Chapman, Phillips High School in Birmingham: One in left field for the American League in 1933.
Luis Gonzalez, South Alabama: One in midfield for the National League in 2001.
Bo Jackson, McAdory High School in McCalla, Auburn: One in left field for the American League in 1989.
Jimmy Key, Butler High School in Huntsville: One of them was a pitcher for the American League in 1994.
Lance Johnson, South Alabama: One in midfield for the National League in 1996.
Cleon Jones, Mobile County Training School, Alabama A&M: One in left field for the National League in 1969.
Heinie Manush, Tuscumbia: One in left field for the American League in 1934.
Lee May, Parker High School in Birmingham: One at first base for the National League in 1972.
Amos Otis, Williamson High School in Mobile: One in center field for the American League in 1973.
Jake Peavy, St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile: One of them was a pitcher for the National League in 2007.
Early Wynn, Geneva County High School: One of them was a pitcher for the American League in 1959.
(From 1959 to 1962, two MLB All-Star Games were played annually, primarily to raise money for the players’ pension fund.)
Henderson is the 54th Alabama baseball player selected to the MLB All-Star Game.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at@AMarkG1.
