Ranking the top all-star games held in Chicago
If the rumors are true, the Cubs will be hosting the 2027 MLB All-Star Game.
It’d be the fourth time for Wrigley Field, and the first since 1990. And it’d add to an illustrious history for all-star games in the city of Chicago.
This week’s High Five looks at the top all-star games ever held in the Windy City.
5. The Sting, 1984
Back in the day, the North American Soccer League was all rage. The Chicago Sting were champions of the 1984 outdoor season, the 17th and final for the NASL.
But for our purposes, we’re talking about the indoor season and the lone all-star game organized by the league. Held at the Chicago Stadium, the Sting faced a team of all-stars from the other six NASL teams.
The Sting lost 9-8, but franchise legend Karl-Heinz Granitza scored four goals in front of more than 14,000 fans.
4. The Cubs, 1990
Without lights, Wrigley Field hadn’t hosted an MLB all-star game since 1962. But with lights installed in 1988, a future hosting was just a matter of time.
Ryne Sandberg, the National League’s leader in fan votes, and Andre Dawson started for the Cubs while Shawon Dunston also earned a roster spot. The White Sox’s Bobby Thigpen and Ozzie Guillen were represented on the American League squad.
Honestly, the game was pretty forgettable — a 2-0 win for the AL.
Perhaps the most memorable aspect was a rain delay that caused CBS to switch to an episode of “Rescue 911.”
3. The Bulls, 1988
A day after Michael Jordan outdueled Dominique Wilkins in a memorable slam dunk contest, Jordan dominated the NBA all-star game at the Chicago Stadium with a 40-point performance while leading the East to a 138-133 victory.
As a bonus, the All-Star Legends Classic featured former Bulls stars Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier in addition to Doug Collins, the Bulls’ coach at the time.
2. The Blackhawks, 1991
The world received a massive dose of the Madhouse on Madison during the NHL all-star game.
Played two days after the start of Operation Desert Storm, a coalition military action to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait, the Chicago Stadium was beyond rocking as Wayne Messmer sang the national anthem while fans waved American flags, patriotic signs and even sparklers.
As for the game, the Blackhawks shined. Chris Chelios started and had a goal and assist. Jeremy Roenick and Steve Larmer combined for a goal and four assists as the Campbell Conference won 11-5.
1. The White Sox, 1933
The first MLB All-Star Game, played at young and sparkly Comiskey Park, littered the field with legends.
Twenty future hall-of-famers suited up, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, the Cubs’ Gabby Hartnett and the White Sox’s Al Simmons. Both managers — John McGraw and Connie Mack — are also in the Hall of Fame.
Lefty Grove sent the National League down in order in the ninth inning to secure a 4-2 win for the American League.