June is coming to a close and that means the 2026 MLB All Star game is almost here. While all the fans are busy submitting their ballots for their favorite players, let’s take a look at Baseball’s Affirmative Action picks or those just there because someone got hurt!

MLB’s All Star game is often criticized for multiple things but the one that comes up the most is the selection process. With that in mind I want to dive into some of the best moments in All Star Game history that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for some misfit players that found themselves in the July Exhibition.

From the quota picks like Elias Diaz and Jeff Conine to the injury replacements like Shane Bieber and Brady Anderson we are going to take a look at how they stamped their name in All Star History.

Elias Díaz: From Rockies Representative to All-Star MVP

Let’s start with a bat that was only there because the league feels bad for teams like the Colorado Rockies and the Miami Marlins. That bat belonged to Elias Diaz and he put his mark on the Midsummer Classic 3 seasons ago in 2023, where he won the MVP award for his 2 run go ahead long ball. That swing didn’t just change the score, it also helped break the NL’s 9 season losing streak. He wasn’t supposed to be there but in the 8th he went to the plate anyways against Felix Bautista and showed that he not only belonged on the team but was its Most Valuable Player that July night!

Jeff Conine: Mr. Marlin Delivers in 1995

From an MVP catcher in 2023 to Mr Marlin Jeff Conine who hit a less known pinch hit game winner off Dennis Eckersley in 1995, we see that not all heroes are first picks. In 1995 Conine, like Diaz, was an affirmative action pick for the Marlins but showed he shouldn’t be overlooked. Again in the 8th inning he came up to the plate with “deuces wild” on the scoreboard and placed the 1st pitch he saw in the bleachers pushing the NL to victory!

Shane Bieber: The Injury Replacement Who Dominated

Now it’s time to move onto a pitcher that wasn’t a consolation pick but an injury replacement. Though quickly showing maybe he should have made the list the whole time. Shane Bieber in 2019 was added to the AL roster because Mike Minor was injured. Making sure not to waste the great opportunity he was given as he quickly sat down the side in the 5th by striking out Willson Contreras, Ketel Marte, and Ronald Acuna Jr. Becoming another player that shouldn’t have been there but was the most valuable once he was! This MVP was a bit more significant as it came in Cleveland.

Brady Anderson: A Replacement With Immediate Impact

Last but not least lets look at a bat that wasn’t on the list till he had to replace Ken Griffey Jr. due to a broken bone in his hand for the 1996 Summer Classic. The last three players waited for later in the game to make their mark but that isn’t the route Brady Anderson took. In the 90s baseball was ruled by Atlanta’s rotation of Aces so when Brady dug into the box that evening he shouldn’t have had the success he had against John Smoltz. Fortunately for this article and the winning NL team baseball is a magical sport where anything can happen. Brady took Smoltz deep for the NL’s 1st run in a 6-0 rout!

Opportunity Creates Legends

As we approach the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, I hope these stories help you vote for the best at each position. Maybe these stories can also help the fans of the teams at the bottom of the standings find optimism that one of their favorites can become an MVP in July and be remembered for not just showing up but showing up when others couldn’t!