Severna Park High School graduate Josh Banks was named Player of the Game in the 2000 Brooks Robinson All-Star game and now pitches for the San Diego Padres.
The Brooks Robinson All-Star game, which is in its 27th year and features only recently-graduated Maryland high school seniors, was established in 1982 as the Crown All-Star Game with Brooks Robinson as the honorary spokesman.
It is widely considered the top high school baseball event in Maryland and is played at Camden Yards in Baltimore. The game started out playing in historic Memorial Stadium. In 2004, Geier Financial Group took over as the sponsor of the game, and in connection with Robinson, plans to continue the game for future generations.
Robinson played his entire 23-year career with the Baltimore Orioles (1955-77) and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. He won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards during his career, tied with pitcher Jim Kaat for the second most all-time for any player at any position. The 15-time All-Star batted .267 for his career to go along with 2,848 hits and 268 home runs.
Hundreds of players have played in the game since its inception, many of which have gone on to play in the Major Leagues.
When San Diego Padres pitcher Josh Banks (Severna Park, 2000) made his major-league debut at Camden Yards on Sept. 27 last summer as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, he reflected on playing in the prestigious game.
"I grew up watching Cal Ripken Jr. with his consecutive playing streak so I take that stuff pretty seriously," said Banks, who is currently in the pitching rotation for the Padres and was named Player of the Game back in the 2000 All-Star game.
"The last time I played (at Camden Yards), it was for the senior all-star game so it was a real treat to start my first major-league game here as well," Banks said days after the game.
Some other notable players to play in the all-star game and move on to the big leagues include:
Year, Name, School, Drafted by, MLB Career
1982, Bill Ripken, Aberdeen, BAL, 1987 - 1998
1982, Craig Wilson, Annapolis, STL, 1989 - 1993
1982, Tim Drummond, Thomas Stone, PIT, 1987 - 1990
1985, Greg Smith, Glenelg, CHC, 1989 - 1991
1985, Brian Jordan, Milford Mill, STL, 1992 - 2004
1986, Denny Neagle, Arundel, MIN, 1991 - 2007
1987, Ryan Thompson, Kent, NYM, 1992 - 2002
1990, Jay Witasick, C.M. Wright, OAK, 1996 - 2007
1991, Troy Brohawn, Cambridge-SD, ARI, 2001 - 2004
1992, Tony Saunders, Glen Burnie, FLA, 1997 - 1999
1993, Ken Cloude, McDonogh, SEA, 1997-1999
1998, Mark Teixeira, Mount Saint Joseph, TEX, 2003 - Present
1998, Michael O'Connor, Mount Saint Joseph, WAS, 2006 - Present
2000, Josh Banks, Severna Park, TOR, 2003 - Present
2001, Gavin Floyd, Mount Saint Joseph, PHIL, 2004 - Present