5 Most Memorable All-Star Games In New York History
By Daniel Friedman
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As New York City gets set to host the NBA's biggest names this weekend, we look back at some of the best All-Star games the area has ever seen:
5. 1964 MLB All-Star Game, Shea Stadium
The first & only All-Star game at Shea Stadium took place on this day in 1964. http://t.co/eVYfXqPzYa #Shea rt pic.twitter.com/LgC7imrJ20
— Retro Brand (@retrobrand) July 7, 2014
NYC and the expansion Metropolitans got to show off their spanking new ballpark. Johnny Callison felt right at home, hitting a walk-off home run to give the NL a 7-4 victory.
4. 1998 NBA All-Star Game, Madison Square Garden
Michael Jordan won the game's MVP honors despite playing with the flu, and Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in league history (19) to appear in an All-Star Game. The Eastern Conference defeated the West, 135-114.
3. 1934 MLB All-Star Game, Polo Grounds
Lou Brock hit it out of straight center. RT @uniformcritic: 1934 All Star Game at the Polo Grounds. pic.twitter.com/ilojSvCipc
— Ed Hardin (@Ed_Hardin) July 10, 2014
It was just the second Midsummer Classic in MLB history, and it featured a then-record five consecutive strikeouts by Carl Hubbell -- against Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin. The AL won, 9-7.
2. 1983 NHL All-Star Game, Nassau Coliseum
Wayne Gretzky set a record with four goals in the third period, and Mark Messier set one for most assists in a period by helping out on three of 99's four tallies. The Campbell Conference team smoked the Wales squad, 9-3.
1. 2008 MLB All-Star Game, Yankee Stadium
It was a special year for the House that Ruth Built, as it marked the final season before the Yankees would move on to their future digs next door. The game started on an emotional note with late owner George Steinbrenner taking the field in a cart. Like many others, the AL and NL teams evidently did not want to stop playing baseball there; the game went on for a record 4:50. The AL eventually took it in 15 innings by a final score of 4-3.
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