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Making the All-Star team in your designated sport is a major accomplishment any player wishes to achieve. It’s already pretty memorable enough to participate in the All-Star game of your associated sport, but there are some moments that we can’t get enough of.
Each of the big American sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL all contain their respective All-Star games with moments that are remembered throughout history. So, in this article, we are outlining the top 5 most memorable All-Star Game moments in major sports, featuring some big names in big games.
In this one, Hockey fans had the luxury of watching 22-year-old Wayne Gretzky perform to the best of his ability. By the time of this game, Gretzy had already set the record for most goals (92), assists (120) and points (212) in a season, so watching him fair against other experienced all-star competitors was truly a sight to behold.
While putting off the excitement until the third quarter, Gretzky, in 13 minutes, would score four goals and lead his team to win. To this day, Gretzy remains atop the league’s all-time scoring ladder with 2,857 points, and game was an indicator of what was to come from arguably hockey’s greatest player.
Before the unexpected tragic murder of Sean Taylor in his own home, the Redskins safety was on the uprise during one of the most enticing NFL Pro Bowls to date. At just 24 years old, Sean Taylor participated in the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl, playing for the NFC and was considered one of the best all-around NFL players.
In one particular play against the AFC Bill’s punter Brian Moorman off a fake kickoff punt, Sean Taylor committed one of the hardest hits on Moorman, sending him rocking to the turf after the ball flew out of his hands. Taylor would be included in the next Pro Bowl and Washington’s Ring of Fame in 2008 after his death.
For the 1999 MLB All-Star Game, Pedro Martinez was a sight to behold from the mound. Martinez struck out big-time players like Barry Larkin, Walker, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Matt Williams by the top of the second inning. Soon after, he’d strike out Jeff Bagwell, where catcher Ivan Rodriguez launched the ball to second for an inning-ending double play. By the end, Martinez was MVP of the game with five strikeouts in two innings, tying the American League record for All-Star Game strikeouts.
The 2007 MLB All-Star Game occurred at San Francisco’s AT&T Park, where Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki took advantage of the oddly shaped outfield walls.
In his first swing at bat, Suzuki crushed a line drive to right-center field, taking an awkward bounce off an All-Star banner attached to the wall. By the time Cincinnati outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. was able to retrieve the ball, Ichiro was already headed to home plate. Ken Griffey Jr. rifled it to home plate as quickly as possible, but Suzuki was already safe for the first inside-the-park home run in All-Star game history.
To wrap up the list of memorable All-Star moments is the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, one that will never be forgotten. Following the end of the Chicago Bulls dynasty, the 76er’s point guard Allen Iverson would set his name in stone during one of the most thrilling East vs. West All-Star games ever.
With just nine minutes left in the fourth quarter of the game, the East trailed by 19 points. To everyone’s surprise, Iverson, within this time, put up 15 of his 25 total points, sparking one of the greatest comebacks in All-Star history, leading the East to a narrow 111-110 last-second victory and winning the NBA MVP that year. When it comes to most memorable moments, this one tops the lot!
Liam has been a major sports fan and soccer player for over a decade, with a particular focus on major top-level soccer leagues, including the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and MLS. He has written numerous promotional articles for various top sportsbooks and continues to publish historical and factual sports articles covering the NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB, EPL and more.