The worst NY Mets player performance in All-Star Game history

Even the best pitchers have bad moments in the MLB All-Star Game. For Hall of Famer Billy Wagner, his two trips to the Midsummer Classic had similar results. He represented the New York Mets in 2007 and again in 2008. Both times went about as poorly as it could.

Billy Wagner’s 2007 All-Star appearance didn’t go smoothly

With the National League trailing 3-2, Wagner gave up what would become the winning run. A leadoff single off the bat of Mike Lowell got things started. Wagner was able to retire Justin Morneau and then Grady Sizemore. Future Mets pitcher Johan Santana had pitched the bottom half of the seventh. Pinch hitting for him was Victor Martinez who planted a 2-0 pitch over the outfield wall for a two-run home run.

The American League clung to their 5-2 lead until the bottom of the ninth when with two outs, Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run home run of his own off of another name Mets fans will know, J.J. Putz. Francisco Rodriguez would come in to relieve him following a walk. Rodriguez walked two more before getting Aaron Rowand to fly out.

Wagner wasn’t charged with the loss, but the home run he gave up proved to be the difference.

Billy Wagner was an All-Star again in 2008 with similar results

Could things get any worse for Wagner? Two earned runs in one inning isn’t Hall of Fame worthy. At the 2008 All-Star Game, Wagner was asked to get one out. He entered to face Sizemore, whom he struck out the previous year.

The National League led 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning and Sizemore was about to have his revenge. He singled then stole second base. A ground-rule double off the bat of Evan Longoria followed to tie the game. Wagner got Morneau out for the second consecutive year in the All-Star Game. The damage had been done. Wagner was charged with the blown save and the exhibition game that determined home field advantage in the World Series extended until the 15th inning. A Michael Young sacrifice fly put an end to the misery.

Officially a Hall of Fame player as of 2025, Wagner’s All-Star struggles aren’t much of a surprise considering his proneness to melting in big spots. While the All-Star Game doesn’t compare, his horrific playoff results are at least a cousin. He was a 1-7 pitcher with a 10.03 ERA in 11.2 innings. Mets fans suffered in the 2006 NLCS when he took the loss in Game 2 when a leadoff home run by So Taguchi broke the tie in the ninth.

Only a small number of Mets pitchers have actually given up a run in the All-Star Game. No one has had two repeats that went as south as Wagner’s.