The All-Time Connecticut High School / Major League Baseball All-Star team

ALL-CT All Star Inside

So what if you could put together an all-time all-star team of Major League Baseball players who attended high school in Connecticut? We decided to give it a try and were pleasantly surprised not only with the talent that has played in the state, but the fact we could fill each position. Heck, we even have two managers and a pitching coach.

We put together a list that spans more than 100 years. There are modern-day All-Stars and those that played before the first All-Star game in 1933. Fourteen players were selected to the actual All-Star game during their careers.

Statistics from baseball-almanac.com. Click on player’s name for complete career statistics.

P – Steve Blass (Housatonic Valley)

Steve Blass, right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team in 1967. Location unknown. (AP Photo)

All-Star selection in 1972, played 10 seasons for Pirates, ending with a 103-76 record (including 3-9 in final full season when he lost control of his pitches). Three seasons had ERA less than 2.90

P – Ricky Bottalico (South Catholic)

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Ricky Bottalico pumps his fist after earning the save in the Phillies? 3-0 opening day victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in an undated photo. Starting pitcher Curt Schilling went eight scoreless innings for the Phillies to pick up the win. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Ricky Bottalico (AP)

Made All-Star team in 1996 for Phillies with 34 saves.

P – Craig Breslow (Trumbull)

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Breslow delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Tuesday, June 23, 2015, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

In 10th season as reliever, presently with Red Sox.

P – Rob Dibble (Southington)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rob Dibble, known on the Reds as one of the “Nasty Boys”, is pictured during All Star festivities at Wrigley Field in Chicago, July 9, 1990. (AP Photo/Peter Southwick)

Two-time All-Star selection with Reds in 1991-92. Finished seven-year career with 89 saves.

P – Fred Goldsmith (Hopkins)

Fred Goldsmith

New Haven-born Goldsmith holds claim to throwing the first curve ball in 1870. But he was also a gifted pitcher in his day, playing for six seasons in the National League, winning 98 games over a four-season span (1880-83) with the Chicago White Stockings (Cubs).

P – Jesse Hahn (Fitch)

Oakland Athletics’ pitcher Jesse Hahn works against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 26, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

13-10 with 3.23 ERA thus far in two-year career with the A’s.

P – Matt Harvey (Fitch)

National Leagueís Matt Harvey, of the New York Mets, is congratulated by teammates after pitching during the MLB All-Star baseball game, on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Matt Harvey, of the New York Mets, during the MLB All-Star baseball game in 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Career ERA of 2.61, started 2013 All-Star Game for National League as member of the Mets.

P – Charles Nagy (Fairfield)

Charles Nagy

Two-time All-Star played 14 seasons, 13 for the Indians. Ended career with Padres.

P – Carl Pavano (Southington)

Carl Pavano (AP)

Career spanned 14 seasons. All-Star selection for National League in 2004 with Marlins.

P – Frank “Spec” Shea (Naugatuck)

Frank Shea of the New York Yankees poses for an action shot on September 17, 1947. (AP Photo)

Frank Shea of the New York Yankees in 1947. (AP)

Eight-year career with Yankees and Senators, finishing 56-46. He was an All-Star selection in 1947 when he was the winning pitcher for the American League.

P – Joey Jay (Middletown)

Middletown’s Joey Jay on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1961.

First Little League player to make the Majors, pitched 13 seasons with Braves and Reds. Selected to All-Star team for National League in 1961.

C – Brad Ausmus (Cheshire)

Brad Ausmus (left)

Played 18 years in Majors with Padres, Tigers, Astros and Dodgers, earning an American League All-Star selection in 1999 while with Detroit.

C/1B – John Ellis (New London)

John Ellis of New York Yankees in 1970. (AP)

Played for Yankees, Indians and Rangers during 13-year career. Named Yankees spring training player of year in 1970 and most underrated player for Indians in 1974.

1B – Jeff Bagwell (Xavier)

File - In this March 6, 2006 file photo, Houston Astros' Jeff Bagwell warms up before the start of a spring training baseball game, in Kissimmee, Fla. The Astros announced Sunday, June 11, 2010 that Bagwell, who has been serving as a special assistant to the general manager, will replace hitting coach Sean Berry after the All-Star break. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Houston Astros’ Jeff Bagwell. (AP)

Played 15 seasons for Astros, ending career with .297 average, 449 home runs and 2,314 hits. Four-time All-Star was National League MVP in 1994 and Rookie of the Year in 1991.

1B – Roger Connor (Waterbury High School)

Roger Connor (Wikipedia)

Held career home run record with 138 before Babe Ruth broke it. Played from 1880-1897.

1B – George “Candy” LaChance (Putnam native)

George “Candy” LaChance (Wikipedia)

Batted .280 in 12-year career from 1893-1905.

2B: Billy Gardner (Waterford)

Billy Gardner (Wikipedia)

Played 10 years in majors, with six teams, most notably the Orioles. Had stints with Yankees, Red Sox.

2B: Dick McAuliffe (Farmington)

This picture of (l. to r.) Harm Killebrew, Brooks Robinson, and Dick McAuliffe, before All-Star game on July 13, 1965 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo)

Farmington’s Dick McCauliffe (far right) with Harmon Killebrew (far left) and Brooks Robinson before All-Star game on July 13, 1965 in Minneapolis. (AP)

Played 16 Major League seasons for Tigers and Red Sox. Three-time All-Star (1965, 66, 67) was steady defensive second baseman who batted .247 for career with 197 home runs.

2B: Tim Teufel (St. Mary’s, Greenwich)

Second baseman Tim Teufel of the Mets in the 1986 World Series vs. Boston (AP)

Second baseman Tim Teufel of the Mets (center) in the 1986 World Series vs. Boston (AP)

Played 11 years with Twins, Mets and Padres. Batted .308 for Mets in 1987.

SS Tommy Corcoran (New Haven native)

Tommy Corcoran (Wikipedia)

Corcoran set a still-standing ML record for shortstops with 14 assists in a nine-inning game.

SS / 2B: Horace “Hod” Ford (New Haven native)

Horace Ford

Played 15 seasons for Braves, Phillies and Reds from 1919-1933.

SS/2B: Bobby Valentine (Rippowam, Stamford)

New York Mets first baseman Bobby Valentine lunges to tag Cincinnati Reds batter Joe Morgan at first base in the fourth inning of a game in Cincinnati, Aug. 24, 1977. (AP Photo/Brian Horton)

New York Mets first baseman Bobby Valentine lunges to tag Cincinnati Reds batter Joe Morgan in 1977. (AP)

Played for five teams over 10 season, including Dodgers, Angels and Mets. Played all eight fielding positions other than pitcher during career.

3B – Joe Dugan (Hillhouse/Torrington)

Joe Dugan, third baseman of the New York Yankees, winners of the 1927 American League Pennant, is shown, Sept. 29, 1927. (AP Photo)

Joe Dugan, third baseman of the New York Yankees, in 1927. (AP)

Played 14 seasons in Majors, including seven with the Yankees from 1922-28. Batted .280 lifetime and .322 in 1920 for Athletics. Considered one of best defensive third basemen of his generation.

OF Rajai Davis (New London)

Detroit Tigers' Rajai Davis breaks for second during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, July 2, 2015, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Tigers’ Rajai Davis vs the Pirates on July 2, 2015, in Detroit. (AP Photo)

In 10th season in Majors with a .271 career average. He has stolen 318 career bases.

OF Chris Denorfia (Southington/Choate)

Chicago Cubs' Chris Denorfia watches his game-winning sacrifice fly that scored Matt Szcur during the 10th inning of a baseball game to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago Cubs’ Chris Denorfia watches a game-winning sacrifice fly during the 10th inning of a baseball game to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

In 10th season in Majors with a .274 career batting average.

1B Walter Dropo (Plainfield)

Walt Dropo with the Boston Red Sox. (AP)

The Moose from Moosup was the American League rookie of the year in 1950 when he made the All-Star team as a member of the Red Sox.

OF Johnny Moore (Waterbury)

Johnny Moore (Wikipedia)

Played 10 seasons for Cubs, Reds and Phillies. Lifetime .307 hitter. From 1934-36 for the Phillies batted .331. Finished ninth with .330 batting average in 1934.

OF Jimmy Piersall (Leavenworth High, Waterbury)

Jimmy Piersall, Boston Red Sox centerfielder, seen July 20, 1958, has spent more time on the bench in Boston, the past three weeks than playing. However, yesterday he interrupted his sun bath on the edge of the dugout to pinch hit against the Detroit Tigers in the twelfth inning and scored when Ted Williams hit his homer in the same inning to beat the Tigers 7 to 6. (AP Photo/Peter J. Carroll)

Jimmy Piersall, Boston Red Sox centerfielder, on July 20, 1958 (AP)

Played 17 seasons in majors. Most known for time with Red Sox, where he was an All-Star in both 1954 and 56. Played five positions in majors: LF, CF, RF, SS and 3B.

OF A.J. Pollock (RHAM High School, Hebron)

Arizona Diamondbacks runner A.J. Pollock is safe back on first after a second inning pickoff attempt by the Miami Marlins during a baseball game in Miami, Monday, April 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

Arizona Diamondbacks’ A.J. Pollock during a baseball game vs. the Marlin, Monday, April 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

An All-Star selection this season for the Diamondbacks.

OF George Springer (New Britain / Avon Old Farms)

Houston Astros’ George Springer in action against the Seattle Mariners in baseball game Sunday, June 21, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Already 33 home runs in two-year career with Astros.

U- Jim O’Rourke (Bridgeport)

Jim O’Rourke (Wikipedia)

Hard to leave the player credited with first hit in National League out. Played all nine positions in 19-year career. Batted .360 with 115 RBIs for Giants in 1890. Ended career with 2,643 hits. Inducted into Hall of Fame 1945.

Manager

Bobby Valentine (Rippowam, Stamford)

Bobby Valentine, in disguise after being tossed from a game in 1999.

Bobby Valentine, in disguise, after being tossed from a Mets game in 1999. (Screenshot)

Managed Rangers, Mets and Red Sox. National League All-Star manager in 2001.

Billy Gardner

Billy Gardner as Twins Manager

Managed Twins (1981-85) and Royals (1987)

Pitching coach

Dave Wallace (Sacred Heart, Waterbury)

Dave Wallace as Baltimore Orioles pitching coach (AP)

Has served as pitching coach for Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox and Astros and, currently the Orioles. He was the pitching coach for the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox.

Note: Mo Vaughn did not play high school baseball in Connecticut. A Norwalk native, he played for Trinity Pawling.

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