MLB, the Minnesota Twins and the Twin Cities unveil 2014 All-Star Game logo
Major League Baseball, the Minnesota Twins and local officials from the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota today unveiled the official logo of the 2014 All-Star Game, which will be played at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tuesday, July 15th.
Those in attendance for today's unveiling at the Twins' home ballpark before the Club's evening game against the Kansas City Royals included Twins Owner and CEO Jim Pohlad; MLB Executive Vice President for Business Tim Brosnan; Twins President Dave St. Peter; Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak; St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman; Twins 2013 American League All-Stars Joe Mauer and Glen Perkins; Chair of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners Mike Opat; and Vice Chair of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority Martin Sabo.
The official logo of the 2014 All-Star Game focuses on the iconic ballpark structure enveloped in vibrant downtown Minneapolis. The Twins' core colors of navy and red are supplemented by tan and sky blue. Tan signifies the locally quarried limestone used throughout the ballpark, and the sky blue symbolic of the clear Upper Midwest sky. The retaining keystone shape is inspired by the Twins' historic and beloved Minnie and Paul logo.
Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said: "Major League Baseball joins the Twins franchise in anticipating a first-class week of events for the fans of Minnesota and their communities as a part of the 85th All-Star Game. We look forward to delivering a memorable experience and applauding our game's very best at Target Field next July 15th."
Twins Owner and CEO Jim Pohlad said: "The Twins are honored to host the 2014 All-Star Game Events. Even before opening Target Field in 2010, we dreamed of hosting this incredible event. With this logo unveiling, we're one step closer to making this dream a reality."
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said: "We're excited for this incredible opportunity to showcase our great city. The City of Minneapolis is committed to making the 2014 All-Star Game a great experience for the many visitors to our region."
Chair of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners Mike Opat said: "Hosting the 2014 All-Star Game Events is exciting for the Twin Cities community. Not only will we collectively reap the incredible economic benefits of hosting this jewel event, the associated charitable contributions will also greatly benefit our community as a whole."
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said: "The All-Star Game events will be great for the City of St. Paul. We look forward to welcoming the many visitors to our great city and showing them our brand of Midwest hospitality."
The 2014 All-Star Game will be the third Midsummer Classic hosted by the Twins. Metropolitan Stadium was the venue of the 1965 event on July 13th, a 6-5 National League victory in which the National League squandered an early 5-0 lead before breaking a 5-5 tie with a seventh inning, go-ahead single by Ron Santo, scoring Mays. Home runs were hit by Twins icon Harmon Killebrew, Willie Mays, current MLB Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations Joe Torre, Willie Stargell and Dick McAuliffe. N.L. starter Juan Marichal earned Most Valuable Player honors with three scoreless innings, and Sandy Koufax was credited with the win. Overall, 18 Hall of Famers appeared in the 1965 Midsummer Classic, including such additional legends as Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente, Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson, Al Kaline, Al Lopez, Mickey Mantle, Brooks Robinson, current MLB Executive Vice President for Baseball Development Frank Robinson, Billy Williams and Carl Yastrzemski.
The 1985 All-Star Game marked another National League win - its 25th in a span of 29 Midsummer Classics - with a 6-1 score at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The Senior Circuit's first two pitchers, starter and MVP LaMarr Hoyt and Nolan Ryan, covered six innings without yielding an earned run, and Dick Williams' lineup scored in three of the first five innings to take a 4-1 lead. The '85 Midsummer Classic featured 14 Hall of Famers: Bert Blyleven, Wade Boggs, George Brett, Gary Carter, Carlton Fisk, Rich Gossage, Tony Gwynn, Rickey Henderson, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Jim Rice, Ryan, Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith. The 1985 All-Star Game marked the debut of the Home Run Derby, with Dave Parker of the Cincinnati Reds winning the inaugural contest.