San Diego to Host 2016 MLB All-Star Game

In a press conference today, Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig, announced that San Diego has been rewarded rights to host the 2016 MLB All-Star Game.(See the video of the announcement here ). This marks the third time that the Midsummer Classic will be held in "America's Finest City" and first since 1992 when the game was played at Jack Murphy Stadium, since renamed Qualcomm Stadium. That game won by the American League 13-6 in a slugfest, featured the likes of "Mr. Padre" Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr., Greg Maddux, Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett, and Wade Boggs, among others. All of which have since become members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, with game-MVP, Ken Griffey Jr. likely to join them next year. In simple terms, the game was played by legends.

This time around, a fresh set of young phenoms highlights today's group of baseball superstars. With the likes of Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Giancarlo Stanton becoming the faces of Major League Baseball the 2016 All-Star Game could be feature as many Hall of Famers as that of '92.

As for the city of San Diego, the opportunity to finally commemorate  Petco Park, arguably one the most beautiful ballparks in baseball, with an event as grand as the All-Star Game, marks something special for "America's Finest City" and its "Padre Faithful" baseball team. "San Diego is obviously a beautiful city and showcasing Petco Park will be a remarkable opportunity for the Padres franchise and all of Major League Baseball," said Selig, in what is likely his last major announcement before his retirement as Commissioner of Baseball later this month.

The 2016 All-Star Game, which is scheduled for Tuesday July 12, 2016, is still more than a year away, but the hype surrounding it is huge and should only build as All Star Week approaches. Let the countdown begin!