Sports journalist by TIM BOOTH AP
SEATTLE (AP) – When the Seattle Mariners began competing for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the goal was to host a third time in 2024 or later.
When MLB got back to the club earlier this year and asked if 2023 was an option, the Mariners quickly got going.
“I think with some of the shuffling movements (2023) became the more viable alternative,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday. “And I have to say, the Mariners did a fantastic job in terms of up-tempo and preparation. It takes a lot to put on an All-Star game, a lot of preparation and planning, and (Mariners Chairman) John (Stanton) and his people did a fantastic job getting ready earlier. “
Seattle was officially unveiled as the host of the Midsummer Classic 2023 on Thursday, with the announcement made in the Space Needle with Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez.
Seattle’s first All-Star Game took place at the Kingdome in 1979 and was re-held at Safeco Field 22 years later in 2001.
22 years later, the game returns in what is now T-Mobile Park.
“I believe the 2023 All-Star Game will give us the opportunity to celebrate the entire region,” said Stanton. “I think you must agree, look out the window today, there is no better place in America than Seattle in the middle of summer.”
Seattle’s play to host will last three years in a row if the game is played in the western half of the country. This year’s All-Star game was moved from Atlanta to Denver in April after Manfred made the decision to relocate the game due to a Georgia voting law that critics say will adversely affect color communities. His decision was widely denounced by conservatives and lauded by liberals.
The 2022 game will be played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. It was originally scheduled for 2020 before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manfred said he was “unable” to comment on conversations about a future game in Atlanta and praised Seattle for being ready to host sooner than expected.
“John and his people did a fantastic job and got ready earlier. They know our greatest hope is that baseball will return to its traditional apolitical stance, ”Manfred said. “We are all about entertaining our fans and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can come and enjoy our games.”
Seattle’s application was led by Senior Vice President Randy Adamack, who was 44 of the 45 seasons for the franchise.
Adamack said 2023 would be part of the initial talks, but initially some of the “pieces of the puzzle” didn’t fit together. There was talk of potentially considering 2027 for the game and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the franchise.
Adamack said when MLB asked if 2023 was an option earlier this year, the biggest complication was securing hotels. Adamack estimated Seattle’s initial listing book was about 120 pages, much of it about hotel space.
“Everything has come together in the last few months, and here we are,” said Adamack.
A key element in Seattle’s bid was a partnership with First and Goal, who operate Lumen Field across from the Mariners ballpark. The home stadium of the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders as well as the surroundings of the two venues are used intensively for fan activities.
“The other thing the MLB cares about is the city, county and state support, and we have been able to communicate that in a really tangible way,” said Adamack. “To have the corporate support in the city to do this for the business community, the sports community, there are many institutions and many people coming together.”
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