Foster excited to see All-Star Game in Cincy

CINCINNATI -- There's a good chance a few of the Reds could impact this year's All-Star Game, and it was announced Thursday that some former Redlegs will be featured in the Midsummer Classic festivities.

Former Reds left fielder George Foster, along with Hall of Famer Barry Larkin and 40 other MLB legends, will be participating in the T-Mobile All-Star FanFest. The event runs from Friday, July 10, to Tuesday, July 14, at the Duke Energy Convention Center, and it will include clinics, Q-and-A sessions and appearances from the many former players.

The T-Mobile All-Star FanFest is one of the many events taking place in Cincinnati leading up to the 2015 All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park on July 14. Foster said the FanFest is a great opportunity for families to come out and enjoy all of the All-Star Game festivities.

"It's great for the kids, it's great for the family and for sports fans," Foster said during a conference call on Thursday. "A lot of activities, Q-and-As, get a chance to do clinics, so it's going to be great to have that whole week for the All-Star celebration. It's going to be great for the city of Cincinnati."

Foster played for the Reds from 1971-81, and he was considered one of the top offensive threats for the "Big Red Machine." Foster was a five-time All-Star, and he was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2003.

Foster led the league in RBIs from 1976-78 and home runs from 1977-78. He also won the National League MVP Award in 1977 after posting a .320 average, a club-record 52 home runs and 149 RBIs.

When looking back on his five All-Star Game appearances, Foster said playing in the 1976 All-Star Game at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia was his most memorable. Foster won the All-Star Game MVP Award in 1976, but he said he enjoyed that All-Star Game the most because there were six other Cincinnati players and his manager, Sparky Anderson, on the NL roster.

"What stuck out the most for me was the '76 All-Star Game," Foster said. "You can say I was the MVP of that game, but we had, I think, at least six or seven Reds players there selected for the All-Star Game."

Foster added that he enjoyed the fact that all of the players who were participating in the game had earned their way there, and didn't only make it because of their popularity.

Now retired from the game of baseball for nearly 30 years, Foster said he enjoys the fan aspect of the All-Star Game. He believes the game has become more of an event, and he is entertained by the Home Run Derby.

"Being a participant, it was great; now being a spectator, I love the home run hitting contest," Foster said. "Just seeing these guys hit the balls out of the ballpark with frequency, so that's great entertainment in itself. So I just feel that fans will enjoy it. It's going to be a week of great celebration."

Tickets, which are available now, will cost $35 for adults and $30 for children 12 and under, and autographs will be included in the price of admission. Children under 2 are admitted free.

T-Mobile has sponsored the fan festival for three straight seasons. All-Star Weekend will also include the All-Star Workout Day on July 13, which features the Home Run Derby. The Futures Game and the All-Star Legends & Charity Softball Game will be held on July 12.

The All-Star Game will be held at Great American Ball Park on July 14. For more MLB All-Star Week information, please visit AllStarGame.com or the MLB All-Star Game Twitter account (@AllStarGame).