Padres lobby to host All-Star Game

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres aren't just hoping to land an All-Star Game at Petco Park, they've taken steps to do more than simply get on the radar of Major League Baseball and the Commissioner's Office.

San Diego team president and CEO Mike Dee said on Wednesday that the team has made a case to Major League Baseball and the Commissioner's Office to bring the Midsummer Classic to San Diego.

"We're very focused on it and would love to host it," Dee said. "We've made our case, and now we just have to sit back and wait it out. But having the game there in July, San Diego is probably the best place for an All-Star Game."

The Padres have hosted the All-Star Game twice, first in 1978 and again in '92. The games were played at Jack Murphy Stadium, the home of the team until the 2004 season.

The 2004 season was the first for the Padres in their downtown ballpark, Petco Park.

The 2013 All-Star Game was played at the Mets' Citi Field in Queens. The 2014 game will be played at the Twins' Target Field in Minneapolis. The 2015 game will be held at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park.

All three ballparks opened after Petco Park.

The 1978 Midsummer Classic in San Diego drew 51,549 to Jack Murphy Stadium, where the National League, led by MVP Steve Garvey of the Dodgers, defeated the American League, 7-3.

Then in 1992, 59,372 fans saw the AL win, 13-6. Ken Griffey Jr. of the Mariners was named Most Valuable Player of that game.