WASHINGTON -- There's a large banner covered by a tarp located in center field at Nationals Park. Behind it lies the official logo for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, which is being unveiled prior to tonight's game against the Brewers.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Nationals owner Mark Lerner and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser have been joined by Nats manager Dusty Baker and stars Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer and Ryan Zimmerman for the unveiling ceremony, which is currently streaming live on MLB.com and Nationals.com.
The unveiling serves as the ceremonial beginning to Washington's All-Star year as the march to July 2018 begins. This will be the fifth time the Midsummer Classic has been played in the nation's capital and the first time since 1969. It will be the first time Nationals Park, which opened in 2008, will play host to the event.
Youth is always a central part of All-Star Game festivities, so it was fitting that before Wednesday's ceremony that Nationals Park hosted a Play Ball event. About 100 youth participants from the D.C. area ages 5-13 will be invited to the stadium, including those participating in the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities Program and children invited by the D.C. mayor's office. They were to be greeted by Commissioner Manfred, Mayor Bowser and Nationals VIPs.
The Nationals had five players and four starters in the 2017 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, including the starting pitcher for the NL All-Stars in Scherzer. If Harper makes what would be his fourth consecutive All-Star team (and sixth overall), he says he plans to participate in the Home Run Derby.