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Today in Chicago History: Wrigley Field hosts its 1st MLB All-Star Game

The momentous moment in the seventh inning of the All-Star Game on July 8, 1947, at Wrigley field as the American leaguers score a run which brought them a 2 to 1 victory over the National league. Bobby Doerr of the Red Sox, who had singled, stolen second, and gone to third on a wild throw, comes home on a single by pinch hitter Stan Spence, nearing first on his drive to right field. The score was made at the expense of pitcher John Sain of the Braves. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
The momentous moment in the seventh inning of the All-Star Game on July 8, 1947, at Wrigley field as the American leaguers score a run which brought them a 2 to 1 victory over the National league. Bobby Doerr of the Red Sox, who had singled, stolen second, and gone to third on a wild throw, comes home on a single by pinch hitter Stan Spence, nearing first on his drive to right field. The score was made at the expense of pitcher John Sain of the Braves. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
By | krumore@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 8, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Flashback: July 8, 1989

Nirvana performs on Oct. 12, 1991, at Cabaret Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, as people are lifted up over the crowd. The band's album "Nevermind" was released weeks prior. (Michael Fryer/Chicago Tribune)
Nirvana performs on Oct. 12, 1991, at Cabaret Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, as people are lifted up over the crowd. The band's album "Nevermind" was released weeks prior. (Michael Fryer/Chicago Tribune)

1989: Nirvana played Club Dreamerz on Milwaukee Avenue in support of the band’s debut album “Bleach.” The show was one of more than 10,000 recorded by Aadam Jacobs.

A 1973 Fender Maverick guitar that lead singer Kurt Cobain played during the concert sold for almost $500,000 during a 2022 auction.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 99 degrees (1955)
  • Low temperature: 48 degrees (1984)
  • Precipitation: 2.41 inches (1951)
  • Snowfall: Trace (1911)
William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, stands on stage next to an American flag, circa Oct. 3, 1896. (Library of Congress)
William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, stands onstage next to an American flag, circa 1896. (Library of Congress)

1896: William Jennings Bryan stepped onto the podium at the Democratic National Convention inside the Chicago Coliseum at 63rd Street and Stony Island Avenue, and demonstrated that reformers could profit from working within the system rather than fighting it.

Stretching his arms wide, he mimed Jesus’ crucifixion.

Chicago’s history with hosting Democratic and Republican conventions dates back to 1860

“You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns!” he thundered. “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!”

Bryan played third-party politics to his advantage. He won the nomination but lost the presidential election to William McKinley.

The Tribune reported the 2-1 score in favor of the American League on July 8, 1947, at Wrigley Field, was the "lowest in the history of the mid-summer spectacle, in striking contrast to the lopsided 12-0 affair in Boston" in 1946. (Chicago Tribune)
The Tribune reported the 2-1 score in favor of the American League on July 8, 1947, at Wrigley Field, was the "lowest in the history of the mid-summer spectacle, in striking contrast to the lopsided 12-0 affair in Boston" in 1946. (Chicago Tribune)

1947: American League 2, National League 1

Wrigley Field’s first All-Star Game was a low-scoring affair that was eventually decided by the sharp baserunning of the Boston Braves’ Bobby Doerr.

Johnny Mize’s fourth-inning home run off Spec Shea sent the NL in front 1-0. The AL got that run back when Luke Appling singled in the sixth, went to third on a Ted Williams single, and scored while Joe DiMaggio was grounding into a double play.

A look back at when Chicago ballparks have hosted All-Star Games as Wrigley Field prepares for 2027

With the game tied 1-1 in the seventh inning, Doerr singled, stole second and advanced to third after pitcher Johnny Sain’s pickoff throw sailed into the outfield.

Pinch-hitter Stan Spence then singled Doerr home for the deciding run. It was the AL’s 10th victory in the 14-game series.

More than 41,000 fans gathered on the North Side and contributed $105,314.90 (or roughly $1.5 million in today’s dollars) to the players’ pension fund.

The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger is out front during their show at Soldier Field on July 8, 1978, in Chicago. (James Mayo/Chicago Tribune)
The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger is out front during their show at Soldier Field on July 8, 1978, in Chicago. (James Mayo/Chicago Tribune)

1978: The Rolling Stones headlined at Soldier Field for the first time. The stadium was filled on a steamy summer day with 80,000 fans, with opening acts Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Peter Tosh and Journey, featuring new vocalist Steve Perry.

The Rolling Stones in Chicago: A timeline of the band’s 55-year fascination with the city’s blues

The Stones’ set list included most of the songs on the quintet’s latest release, “Some Girls.” Later that night Jagger dropped in on a Lefty Dizz set at Kingston Mines.

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