David Schoenfield, ESPN Senior Writer
Online voting is underway for the 94th MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on July 16, which got us thinking: What is the longest All-Star position drought for each team?
Longtime Mariners fans, for example, are aware of the revolving door the franchise has had in left field. With Luke Raley the regular there in 2024, he’s establishing himself as the team’s 17th different left fielder in 17 seasons. Not surprisingly, none of the previous 16 made the All-Star Game — and we have to go back a long time to find a Mariners left fielder who did make it.
So that’s the premise here. We’ll find the longest positional drought for each team, separating out the outfield spots and considering starting pitchers and relievers as well (though don’t expect many pitchers on our list). Players will be considered at the position they played most in the year they were selected for the All-Star Game, even if they didn’t necessarily play the most games at that position for the team (or played elsewhere in the All-Star Game itself).
Let’s get right into it, going from shortest positional drought to longest.