7 Cubs Headed To All-Star Game, Including Entire Starting Infield For NL

By Chris Emma--

(CBS) The Cubs have made some history.

While their ultimate team goal still lies ahead, a large group of Cubs has been rewarded for its individual accomplishments in the first half of the season. The Cubs' entire infield -- first baseman Anthony Rizzo, second baseman Ben Zobrist, shortstop Addison Russell and third baseman Kris Bryant -- has been voted in as the National League starters in the All-Star Game on July 12 in San Diego.

"To have this many people, it's just going to make the experience much more memorable for us," Bryant said.

It's the first time since in MLB history that a team's entire infield has been voted in as starters by fans, and it will mark the first time since 1963 that a starting infield is comprised of players from one club. The 1963 Cardinals had the NL's starting infield back when the honor was voted on by players, managers and coaches.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon still remembers watching the 1963 All-Star Game with five Cardinals playing.

"It's pretty impressive," Maddon said. "As a kid back then, my God, I was blown away by it. Any 9-year-old right now that's seeing this Cubs infield go, I'd like to believe they felt the same way I did in 1963."

In addition to the Cubs' infield, Dexter Fowler was voted in as a starter in the outfield, while pitchers Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester were tabbed as All-Stars as well by managers and fellow players.

Fowler's availability for the All-Star Game remains in question, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury that's sidelined him for several weeks. On Monday after doing some intense running, Fowler said he's close to a return. He's hitting .290 with a .398 on-base percentage.

Rizzo is hitting .281 with 20 homers (tied for fourth in NL), 61 RBIs (third in NL) and a .964 OPS (third in NL). This will mark his third All-Star berth, and he was the leading vote-getter with 3,242,670 votes received.

Bryant leads the majors with 25 homers after hitting another one Tuesday afternoon, and his 68 runs lead the NL. His 64 RBIs rank second in the NL, and he's hitting .278 with a .948 OPS. This is his second All-Star honor.

Zobrist is hitting .291 with a .398 on-base percentage that ranks third in the NL. He also has 11 homers, 43 RBIs and 55 runs. This is his second All-Star berth.

Russell is hitting .242 with 11 homers, 48 RBIs and a .754 OPS. At just 22, this is his first All-Star Game.

"It means a lot," Russell said. "Ever since I was a little kid, that's all I wanted to do, is make an All-Star Game. Just to be able to do that in a short amount of time that I've been in the big leagues, it makes it a little bit better. Hopefully, it's the first of a few."

Lester is 9-4 with a 2.67 ERA. This is his fourth All-Star berth and first in a Cubs uniform. He isn't the only Cubs pitcher joining the core in San Diego.

Arrieta leads the NL with 12 wins, while his 2.33 ERA ranks third and his 1.06 WHIP ranks 12th. This is his first All-Star berth. In 2015, he won the NL Cy Young, but that was largely on the strength of a historical second half.

"It's a good feeling," Arrieta said. "I've been through a lot, a lot of hard work. It's started to pay off. My career has moved to a positive direction over the past couple years."

Long after the Cubs' 9-5 loss on Tuesday, teammates stayed around in the clubhouse to congratulate their All-Star teammates.

This was an accomplishment that baseball's best team is celebrating.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.