The San Diego Padres officially announced they will serve as the hosts for the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Petco Park.
They confirmed the hosting duties on social media:
Team president Mike Dee commented on the decision:
The game, which is scheduled for July 12, 2016, will mark the second consecutive All-Star Game in a National League park. Great American Ball Park, the home of the Cincinnati Reds, is set to welcome the league’s best players this year.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports it’s only the second time since 1963 the same league was awarded the opportunity to host back-to-back Midsummer Classics. He notes it could become three straight with the Miami Marlins being favorites to host in 2017.
It’s also pointed out the game heads to San Diego after the Padres named part of their stadium after outgoing commissioner Bud Selig last year:
The Padres, who have not hosted an All-Star Game since 1992, and never since the opening of Petco Park in 2004, created a backlash from fans in August when they announced that they were dedicating an area outside Petco Park to Selig.
Of course, the same league hosting the event wouldn’t have been a big deal before 2003. That’s when the league started awarding home-field advantage in the World Series to the league that won the All-Star Game. It’s made the exhibition far more important, for better or worse.
More details about the events coinciding with the MLB showcase will surely get released as the date moves closer.
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