3 forgotten Cincinnati Reds All-Stars

Thanks to the Cincinnati Reds’ run of dominance as the Big Red Machine and generational stars such as Barry Larkin and Joey Votto, most Cincinnati representatives at the All-Star Game have been household names, if not future Hall of Famers.

No matter how disappointing the season, one superstar could find glory at the Midsummer Classic. Sometimes, though, the Joe Morgans and Johnny Benches were joined by a teammate, no less deserving but definitely less memorable. Here’s the story of three of the Reds’ most forgettable All-Stars.

3 forgotten Cincinnati Reds All-Stars

Devin Mesoraco, Reds catcher (2014)

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco had been stuck behind Ryan Hanigan on the depth chart for much of his first two seasons but earned the starting job in 2013. The former first-rounder came out of nowhere for his sole All-Star season in 2014.

Mesoraco was named a reserve catcher for the NL All-Star team behind Yadier Molina (winner of the fan vote despite being injured) and Jonathan Lucroy. Mesoraco caught three innings, allowing one stolen base, and he struck out in his lone plate appearance.

In the first half of the season, Mesoraco slugged .609 with 16 home runs. He ultimately finished with 25 long balls, nearly half of his career total of 58. Injury after injury spoiled the rest of his career; he played just 179 games in the four seasons following his breakout.

Mesoraco hasn’t been forgotten quite yet. The Reds chose him as their MLB Draft lottery representative in 2024, and fans still engage in “what if” debates about the once-promising catcher, but as history moves on and recency bias fades, Mesoraco could go the way of the next two All-Stars.

Tom Hume, Reds reliever (1982)

The 1982 season wasn’t even Tom Hume’s best year, but his workman-like first half earned him his only All-Star nod. He ground out 56 ⅔ innings across 42 games for what was arguably the worst team in franchise history.

In the All-Star Game, Hume, a Cincinnati native, entered with two outs in the ninth inning and the NL leading, 4-1. He forced Buddy Bell to fly out to right field to earn the save and secure the victory for the NL.

Unfortunately, Hume didn’t make it out of the month of July before being afflicted by a season-ending knee injury. He had knee surgery and labored through two terrible seasons with the Reds. The former Fireman of the Year (now Reliever of the Year) Award winner had a bit of a career resurgence with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1986 when he posted a 2.77 ERA in 48 outings. Hume closed out his career with a return to Cincy in 1987 and served as the Reds’ bullpen coach from 1996-2007.

Mike LaCoss, Reds starting pitcher (1979)

When a 23-year-old Mike LaCoss won eight straight decisions in a red-hot start to the 1979 season, it seemed like the Reds had found their next ace. Before the All-Star break, he had put up 13 quality starts in 18 starts, and he pitched 10 ⅔ innings of one-run ball in what would be a 13-inning victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

LaCoss joined the All-Star team with a 2.22 ERA and continued his success in a relief appearance for the NL squad. The right-hander worked out of a bases-loaded jam to keep the NL in the game after the AL had taken a 6-5 lead. LaCoss’s 1 ⅓ innings would set up Bruce Sutter to secure the win.

LaCoss struggled after the All-Star Game. His second half ERA was 5.68. The rest of his career was about as memorable as his All-Star selection. He bounced around the league for 12 more years, even making a World Series appearance with the Giants in 1989. Eventually, though, he retired and faded from memory just like the other overlooked Reds All-Stars.

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