MLB on Friday officially announced Marlins Park as the host for the '17 All-Star Game in a "festive ceremony overlooking downtown Miami from the left-field plaza," according to Manny Navarro of the MIAMI HERALD. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said, "It was time for baseball to recognize and pay back South Florida for what they did in building this stadium.” Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria called the announcement "very gratifying and one of the top five days in Marlins history." Loria: "It’s baseball’s recognition that you’re doing good things. They awarded it to us. We didn’t go and buy it.” Navarro wrote times "have certainly changed for the Marlins." Loria: "I think the public is very excited. We’ve changed the whole offseason into a really super positive offseason." Meanwhile, Marlins President David Samson said that "nearly all fan activities will take place on Miami Beach with the new convention center set to host the official All-Star FanFest" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/14). Manfred said, "I’m optimistic about baseball in Miami. They’ve got a great facility. They’ve got a great young team and I think this market will support a winner.” He added the Marlins’ All-Star bid “was compelling across the board." Manfred: "The facility is absolutely fantastic. They delivered a great (Miami Beach) Convention Center site for our Fanfest" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/15). In Miami, Greg Cote noted there remains a "hard core of haters who may be anti-Marlins" as long as Loria owns the club. But it "may be time the grudge-holders hit the reset button on Loria and give his ownership a fresh look with new eyes." They would "see what the rest of us do: The Marlins are in solid shape and headed right." Hosting the ASG is a "direct result of Marlins Park," and there is a "buzz about the club that is refreshing." The club is "building wisely this time, getting better with fiscal responsibility to avoid another fan-disillusioning teardown" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 2/12).
BALTIMORE CHOP: In Baltimore, Dan Connolly noted the '17 game in Miami will mark "three straight National League hosts, the first time in the exhibition game's history," dating to '33 that one league has been skipped three straight years. Connolly: "Before we get into conspiracy theories, Toronto and Oakland have gone longer without hosting an All-Star Game than Baltimore." Oakland’s ballpark situation is "still a mess, but Rogers Centre is a solid place and Toronto is a wonderful city." Toronto is "deserving of its first midsummer classic" since '91. As for the Orioles not hosting the game since '93, Connolly wrote he is "not buying what MLB is selling: the idea that the Orioles’ legal entanglement" over MASN with the Nationals and MLB is "not at least a contributing factor to their wait to host the All-Star Game again." Connolly: "That just doesn’t ring completely true to me" (
Baltimore SUN, 2/15).
AWAY AT HOME: Despite the NL hosting three straight All-Star Games, Manfred said that MLB "will continue alternating which league is considered the home team, regardless of the venue." YAHOO SPORTS' Mark Townsend wrote, "Exactly what are we doing here? Instead of focusing on the biggest issue most fans have with the All-Star game ... Manfred is over thinking and overreaching just to protect that outdated and unnecessary stipulation" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/14).
