Marlins Park favorite to host 2017 MLB All-Star Game

It was officially announced on Thursday that Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, will host the 2016 MLB All-Star Game.

Marlins Park is reportedly now the leading candidate for the All-Star Game in 2017.

It makes sense that MLB is finally giving the Marlins a chance here. Marlins Park is entering just its fourth season in operation and is the newest park in Major League Baseball. When it opened in 2012, Miami was considered to be in the running for an upcoming All-Star Game, but then the fire sale happened. When Cincinnati was awarded the 2015 ASG, it meant the Midsummer Classic wasn’t coming to South Florida until at least 2017.

The reshaping of the roster, coupled with Giancarlo Stanton‘s record contract, probably helped the Marlins’ case. With the team’s image vastly improved, Marlins Park might find itself back in the national spotlight.

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It would also mean that National League ballparks would be hosting three consecutive All-Star Games for the first time ever. The 2006 and 2007 All-Star Games were played at National League Parks — Pittsburgh and San Francisco, respectively. The game has traditionally alternated yearly between leagues.

We’ve known for a while that Miami was a finalist for 2017. The Padres had been in the running for that game as well as the Baltimore Orioles. Now that the 2016 game is coming to Petco Park, a 2017 All-Star Game at Marlins Park makes sense. The Washington Nationals are also in the picture, though; Nationals Park opened in 2008 and hasn’t hosted a Midsummer Classic yet.

The Marlins have never hosted an All-Star Game. In fact, it’s never been played in the state of Florida. The 2000 All-Star Game was originally awarded to the Florida Marlins, but Bud Selig had it moved to Turner Field because Joe Robbie Stadium was considered an unfit site.

We’ll probably find out who gets the 2017 All-Star Game around this time next year.

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