The 2013 MLB All-Star Game, at Citi Field on July 16, will feature a slew of events throughout the city in the week leading up and will be spread throughout the borough.
Citi Field was cited as a potential venue for the mid-summer classic since opening in 2009, with the rumor becoming official last May. This marks the second All-Star Game the city’s hosted in the last five years.
All venues attached to the game are expected to have a $191 million economic impact for the city this July, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
Although the game and tournaments, like the Home Run Derby, will be held in Flushing, a significant amount of All-Star fanfare will be in Manhattan – much like when the Yankees hosted the game in 2008.
Chevrolet’s Red Carpet Parade will again go through 42nd Street, with MLB Executive Vice President Tim Brosnan calling it one of the marquee events for fans. Baseball lovers, from New York or afar, will get to come within 10 feet of the game’s premier players.
Met alumns like 1986 World Series champ Mookie Wilson and late 90s legends Eduardo Alfonzo and John Franco are team ambassadors for the All-Star Game. Wilson, known for his bloop single through Bill Buckner’s legs in Game 6 of the World Series, said while he never played in an All-Star game he’s excited to represent the team during the festivities
“I’ve always enjoyed the festivities that go into it,” Wilson said. “I’m not a native New Yorker, but I feel as if I am. I can’t wait to get this All-Star game started.”
Managers this year will be San Francisco Giants Skipper Bruce Bochy and Detroit Tigers’ Jim Leyland.
The game’s logo was revealed last August, mainly resembling the traditional Mets logo and is worn on the team’s sleeve throughout this season.
Bloomberg said the city has become “the sports capital of the world,” and proceeded to list all the major events, past and future, the city has hosted.
On security, the mayor has no worries the NYPD will be successful in keeping the city safe as fans worldwide pour into the five boroughs for the game.
Ballots for the American League and National League were also released:
For Met fans:
- First base: Ike Davis
- Second base: Daniel Murphy
- Shortstop: Rueben Tejada
- Third base: David Wright
- Catcher: John Buck
- Outfielders: Mike Baxter, Lucad Duda and Kirk Nieuwenhuis
For Yankee fans:
- First base: Mark Teixeira
- Second base: Robinson Cano
- Shortstop: Derek Jeter
- Third Base: Kevin Youkilis
- Catcher: Chris Stewart
- Outfielders: Curtis Granderson, Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki
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