MLB awards 2017 All-Star Game to the Miami Marlins
City of Miami Will Host the Midsummer Classic for the First Time; Sides Will Continue to Alternate Who Bats Last, Regardless of Venue; American League Will Bat Last in 2016 All-Star Game
MIAMI - Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. has awarded the 2017 All-Star Game to the Miami Marlins, he announced today at a Marlins Park press conference attended by Club executives, state and local leaders, and representatives from the business and civic communities.
The City of Miami will become a first-time host of the Midsummer Classic when the 88th All-Star Game is played at Marlins Park, which opened in 2012. The 2017 season will mark the Marlins franchise's 25th season of play. The game date of the 2017 Midsummer Classic is Tuesday, July 11, 2017.
Commissioner Manfred said: "Miami has hosted two World Series, and I am pleased that Marlins Park will now welcome the city's first All-Star Game in 2017. The Marlins and the City made a comprehensive bid to hold a memorable All-Star Week during the Club's 25th season. As the Gateway to Latin America, Miami will be a perfect venue for a global game to celebrate the summer's best sporting event."
Marlins Owner Jeffrey H. Loria said: "The Miami Marlins are thrilled to host the 2017 All-Star Game at Marlins Park. This is representative of a new chapter in so many ways, including the evolution of our great city, the bright future for our ballclub, and even the sport itself, as we welcome our new and dynamic Commissioner to the helm. It's an exciting time for baseball and we look forward to hosting one of its iconic events in 2017."
The Marlins will follow this year's hosts, the Cincinnati Reds, and the 2016 presenters, the San Diego Padres, marking three consecutive National League hosts from 2015-2017. As previously announced, Major League Baseball has received a number of outstanding bids from National League Clubs whose ballparks have never hosted the All-Star Game. Thus, it was determined that the 2017 site would be awarded to the Club that made the most competitive bid, regardless of league affiliation.
The last time that the same League hosted the All-Star Game in two consecutive years was in 2006-2007, when Pittsburgh and San Francisco of the N.L. hosted the event, respectively. Given that three consecutive National League ballparks are now scheduled to host the All-Star Game from 2015-2017, MLB has decided that sides will continue to alternate who bats last. Thus, in the 2016 All-Star Game in San Diego, the American League will bat last. Since 2010, the designated hitter has been in effect for both sides, regardless of venue.
The Reds will stage Baseball's 86th Midsummer Classic on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Great American Ball Park. This will be the fifth time that the City of Cincinnati will host the All-Star Game and the first such duties for the Reds' home ballpark, which opened in 2003. The 2016 All-Star Game, scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, 2016, will mark the third time ever that the Padres have hosted the event and the first for Petco Park, which opened in 2004.