Ranking the top 5 most memorable moments in Cubs All-Star history

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Top 5 Most Memorable Cubs All-Star Moments: #5 - 1990: Wrigley Field hosts Midsummer Classic

It was a rainy Tuesday evening on the North Side when the American League shut out the National League in the 1990 MLB All-Star Game. A seventh-inning rain delay caused CBS to air Rescue 911 to blanket the dead air. Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Oakland Athletics outfielder Jose Conseco and Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg were their respective league leaders for fan votes.

Interestingly enough, this is the only All-Star Game to feature two players bearing the same name. Baltimore Orioles pitcher Gregg Olson and the Atlanta Braves catcher Greg Olson were selected. The National League registered just two hits in a 2-0 loss. As of today, that is the fewest hits ever for an All-Star squad.

Rumors have swirled about the Midsummer Classic returning to Wrigley Field, with an opportunity possible as soon as 2025. Obviously, the Friendly Confines are quite different than they were over three decades ago - and is far better suited for baseball's marquee event. With the confluence of certain weather conditions, a Home Run Derby at Clark and Addison would be a summer treat.

Top 5 Most Memorable Cubs All-Star Moments: #4 -1960: Ernie Banks hits first career All-Star Game home run

A little history lesson in baseball. From 1959-1962, there were two All-Star Games played. The second contest was implemented to help fund the MLB players' pension funds as well as other causes. The idea was quickly vacated due to fears of watering down the event's novelty.

During the league's first All-Star Game in 1960, Cubs great Ernie Banks smashed his first career All-Star Game home run to aid in the NL's 5-3 victory of the AL at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Banks would finish his illustrious career with 14 All-Star appearances and a first ballot induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

Two seasons later, Banks would play in an All-Star Game in front of his home crowd. In 1962, the All-Star Game returned to Wrigley for the first time since 1947. Banks wasn't voted as a starter but did see playing time. Mr. Cub hit a triple off pitcher Hank Aguirre and scored a run in the National League's 9-4 loss on the North Side.

Top 5 Most Memorable Cubs All-Star Moments: #3 - 2003: Kerry Wood's two-strikeout inning inside enemy territory

In 2003, the MLB All-Star Game was played at Comiskey Park on the South Side. There were a lot of nerves riding on this game, considering the previous year's kerfuffle. At the brand new Miller Park in Milwaukee, the All-Star Game ended in a 7-7 tie. A lack a pitchers prevented the continuation of the contest.

Back to 2003, the Cubs' lone representatives at the 2003 Midsummer Classic were pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. The latter made a brief appearance during the fourth inning. After allowing a single to the Angels' Garret Anderson, Wood recorded two strikeouts in the next three batters: Seattle's Edgar Martinez and Anaheim's Troy Glaus both went down looking.

We all know the Wood story. Plagued by injuries, the Texas-born phenom didn't ever live up to the hype that brought him so much attention at the infancy of his career. He would make one more All-Star Game roster in 2008 before hanging his spikes up for good in 2012 at the age of 35.

Top 5 Most Memorable Cubs All-Star Moments: #2 -1967: Fergie Jenkins fans six batters in Anaheim

Fergie Jenkins earned three appearances in the Midsummer Classic during his 19-year big league career. During his first appearance, Jenkins allowed one run on three hits while striking out six batters. At just 23 years old, Jenkins struck out Harmon Killebrew, Tony Conigliaro, Jim Fregosi, Rod Carew and Tony Oliva and caught Mickey Mantle looking.

The game went 15 innings, with the National League prevailing, 2-1. Tony Perez blasted a homer off Catfish Hunter. Anyway, Jenkins' appearance was sandwiched between Juan Marichal, who started the game and Bob Gibson who relieved him.

It's pretty crazy to think that a guy who won 284 games, earned a Cy Young and ran off a 10-year stretch where he averaged 20 victories annually only made three All-Star Games, but at least he made the most of that first one.

Top 5 Most Memorable Cubs All-Star Moments: #1 -2000: Sammy Sosa crushes competition in Home Run Derby

Unlike the NBA, NHL and NFL, there aren't a multitude of events during the All-Star Break showcasing the different raw talents of their respective sports. The Home Run Derby is the sole event that involves current MLB players crushing the ball into the packed stands. Not too long ago, the Cubs were gifted by the presence of Sammy Sosa.

In 2000, Sosa entered the Home Run Derby for the third time in his career. The year prior, at Fenway Park, Sosa hit just one home run and was eliminated quickly. At Turner Field in Atlanta, Sosa had different plans. With the new millennium came a new Sammy Sosa.

To say the least, Sosa put on a show for the crowd. He smashed a total of 26 home runs, seven more than anybody had ever hit in a single derby. Sosa defeated the reigning champ Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners.

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The Chicago slugger hit the most dingers in each of the three rounds. Fans in attendance no doubt remember Sosa's home runs flying over the pennants pinned along the upper deck of the Braves' former home in Atlanta.

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