A Complete History Of Cubs In The Home Run Derby

Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant have been chosen to participate in Monday night's All-Star Home Run Derby in Cincinnati. They'll be the first Cubs to be in this event since Sammy Sosa in 2004, and it's the first time two Cubs have been in the Derby in the same year.

Here, then, is a brief history of all the previous performances by Cubs in the Home Run Derby, which is marking its 30th anniversary this year.

1985: Ryne Sandberg

The defending National League MVP hit two home runs and tied for last place among National League players. The Reds' Dave Parker won the event by hitting six home runs. That doesn't seem like a lot, but before 1991, the Derby was not televised and it consisted of two innings with five "outs" each inning.

1987: Andre Dawson

At the Oakland Coliseum, Dawson, who was on his way to an MVP season, won this event by hitting four home runs. Again, this non-televised event must have been pretty dull.

1990: Ryne Sandberg

The weather at Wrigley Field for the 1990 Derby was similar to this week: cool, with temperatures in the low 70s and a strong north wind blowing in. Only five home runs were hit in the entire event, three by Sandberg, one by Matt Williams and one by Mark McGwire.

1991: George Bell

Bell's only year with the Cubs wasn't too successful, and neither was his performance in the first televised Home Run Derby. He hit two home runs, which at least was more than Chris Sabo and Howard Johnson (two odd choices, if you ask me), who had none.

1995: Sammy Sosa

Sosa's first appearance in the HR Derby resulted in just two homers, tied with Reggie Sanders and Raul Mondesi for fewest among the eight participants.

1999: Sammy Sosa

Sosa hit just one homer in this Derby at Fenway Park, tied with John Jaha for fewest. Ken Griffey, Jr. won with 16.

2000: Sammy Sosa

Sosa won this tournament at Turner Field in Atlanta, hitting 26 total homers and defeating Griffey 9-2 in the finals.

2001: Sammy Sosa

Luis Gonzalez won this year over Sammy in the finals, 6-2.

2002: Sammy Sosa

For the third straight year, Sammy made the finals, but lost that round 7-1 to Jason Giambi. Sammy hit 18 total homers.

2004: Sammy Sosa

Sammy hit five homers in his final Derby appearance and was eliminated after the first round.

Good luck to Rizzo and Bryant in the Derby. The most important thing, of course, for them is to come out of it without having their swings messed up, as has reportedly happened to some players after participating. And, of course, for both of them to play in the All-Star Game itself and to come back to the season's second half starting Friday uninjured.

Here is a complete list of all Home Run Derby participants and results. I'll have a "game thread" here for the Home Run Derby tonight at 6 p.m. CT, an hour before the event begins.