As first reported by John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, The Midsummer Classic will return to Cincinnati in 2015, baseball sources confirmed.
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig will be in town Wednesday to announce the newest Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy. The academy will be built in Cincinnati, the first one in the Midwest. During his visit, Selig is expected to announce the exciting news about the first All Star Game in Cincinnati since 1988.
It will be the first All-Star Game at Great American Ballpark. The Reds last hosted in 1988 at Riverfront Stadium. Cincinnati also hosted in 1938 and 1953 Crosley Field and in 1970 at Riverfront.
“The commissioner has talked about it before, it’s gone from asking cities to host to everyone wanting to host,” MLB media relations Patrick Courtney said earlier last week. “It’s become such a big deal with the five or six events.”
MLB has been alternating the game between National League and American League cities. This year’s game will be at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets. Next year’s game will at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins.
The Reds have pushed for an All-Star Game since Bob Castellini took over ownership of the club. Castellini said on Opening Day 2012 that an All-Star Game was coming to Cincinnati, but he wouldn’t say when.
This is very exciting news for Reds fans and especially Greater Cincinnati. It will have a great economic impact with all of the events leading up to the game itself.
Remember this?
1970 All Star Game at Riverfront Stadium
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