Atlanta Braves Morning Chop – Aaron/EYjr/Stars&Strikes
MLB officially awards 2017 All-Star Game to Marlins Park
MLB, which snatched the 2000 All-Star Game away from the Marlins after the 1997 World Series team was dismantled, finally gave the city a second chance, announcing that the 2017 Midsummer Classic will take place at Marlins Park.
Baseball fans in South Florida have endured many a rainy day since the Marlins opened up shop in 1993. Friday, though, wasn’t one of them.
Major League Baseball, which snatched the 2000 All-Star Game away from the ballclub after the 1997 World Series team was dismantled by then-owner Wayne Huizenga, finally gave the city a second chance, officially announcing the 2017 Midsummer Classic will take place at Marlins Park.
In a festive ceremony overlooking downtown Miami from the left-field plaza, new commissioner Rob Manfred, flanked by owner Jeffrey Loria, team president David Samson, Gov. Rick Scott and the mayors of Miami, Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach, said the reason Miami was rewarded with its first All-Star Game was because it presented the best bid.
“The ’97 decision was somebody else’s decision,” said Manfred, who replaced Bud Selig as baseball’s leader three weeks ago. “All I’m going to say is we’re thrilled to have awarded the 2017 All-Star Game to the Marlins. It was time for baseball to recognize and pay back South Florida for what they did in building this stadium.”
—————————-
RELATED:
The American League will be the home team for the 2016 All-Star Game in San Diego
CRAIG CALCATERRA / NBC HARDBALL TALK
Since Major League Baseball insists on the ridiculousness of the All-Star Game determining home field advantage in the World Series, however, a tweak needs to be made to ensure fairness and to not give the National League last bats in three straight Midsummer Classics. The tweak was just announced:
"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."
[ Ed. note: *sigh*… whatever ]