Time for Home Run Derby
Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
The T-Mobile Home Run and All-Star Team practice at Petco Park and the dedication of two All-Star Legacy projects on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border highlight Monday's All-Star Game activities.
In addition, FanFest will be open for the fourth of its five-day run at the Convention Center, while the All-Star Youth Classic and the MLB All-Star Week Pepsi Block Party continue.
Monday begins early with Commissioner Rob Manfred and Major League Baseball and Padres officials traveling to Tijuana for the 9:30 a.m. PT dedication of the renovated and expanded facilities at the Boys and Girls Club built at part of the MLB's All-Star Legacy Project.
From Tijuana, the group will re-cross the international border for similar ceremonies at noon at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, where the MLB All-Star Legacy Project has refurbished fields and facilities.
Action at Petco Park begins at 12:15 p.m. with the finals of the national Pitch, Hit & Run competition.
The doors to Petco Park swing open to ticketholders at 2 p.m. for a day of action. The American League will take batting practice from 2:15-3:10 p.m. The National League will take batting practice from 3:15-4:10 p.m. At 4:15 p.m., the eight participants in the 2016 Home Run Derby will get extra batting practice.
The T-Mobile Home Run Derby begins at 5 p.m. and features Wil Myers of the hometown and host Padres as well as defending champion Todd Frazier of the Chicago White Sox, plus Giancarlo Stanton (Miami), Mark Trumbo (Baltimore), Robinson Cano (Seattle), Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado), Corey Seager (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Adam Duvall (Cincinnati).
The first-round, head-to-head matches will pit Myers vs. Duvall; Frazier vs. Gonzalez; Stanton vs. Cano, and Trumbo vs. Seager.
Following the Home Run Derby, Major League Baseball will host the invitation-only All-Star Gala at the Port Pavilion on the Broadway Pier.
Before the players head for Petco Park, there will be media interview sessions at the Hyatt Manchester Hotel.
Meanwhile, FanFest, the All-Star Youth Classic and the Block Party continue.
FanFest opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. at the Convention Center. The list of players involved in autograph sessions and photo opportunities today include Myers, former Padres David Winfield, Tony Gwynn Jr., Benito Santiago, Brian Giles, Sterling Hitchcock and Nate Colbert, and former Major Leaguers Tony Olivo, Bert Campaneris and Ferguson Jenkins
FanFest tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for senior citizens and kids 2-12.
FanFest features interactive exhibits -- skill areas for running, throwing and hitting -- as well as displays from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame in Kansas City. The history of the San Diego Padres is also chronicled.
The MLB All-Star Week Block Party opens on J Street at noon and runs through 6 p.m.
There will again be youth baseball and softball games throughout the day at Robb Field in Ocean Beach and at Play Ball Park in front of the Hilton Bayfront Hotel starting at 10:30 a.m.