MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred yesterday "confirmed the possibility of the All-Star Game returning to Seattle," according to Bob Dutton of the Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE. Manfred said Mariners Chair & CEO John Stanton "has made me aware that Seattle is interested in an All-Star Game." Dutton notes Seattle "twice previously" served as host city for the game: in '79 at the Kingdome and in '01 at Safeco Field. A possible timeline for the ASG returning to Seattle is "murky, and there is little to suggest the Mariners have done more at this point than express interest" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 9/21). Manfred said, "John Stanton has become a really important addition to our ownership group. Unbelievable insights with respect to the media portion of our business in particular. He's become an important member of the business and media board that oversees the operations of MLB.com and oversaw the BAMtech transaction. It's particularly good to spend time with a newer owner that has brought a lot to the game." In Seattle, Ryan Divish notes Stanton "confirmed the conversation with Manfred and Seattle's interest, which goes beyond the one conversation." But he "admitted that their interest isn't in the immediate future." Unlike past decades where there was "more of a rotation of the host sites, and a reward for organizations with a new stadium, the process now is more like a presentation of why the city and stadium would provide optimum success for the events and fan interaction." MLB wants places that "best showcase its marquee midseason event that is now a three-day affair" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/21).
