MLB News: Commissioner Rob Manfred Announces Washington Nationals as 2018 All-Star Game Host
Major League Baseball commissioner, Rob Manfred confirmed Monday that the 2018 All-Star game will be held at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
"Everybody at Major League Baseball is thrilled that the nation's capital will be the host to the 89th mid-summer classic," Manfred said during the Opening Day press conference. "The game will take place a decade after the beautiful park here was opened. Nationals Park has already hosted [postseason games]. But we think the All-Star game will be another opportunity to showcase this fantastic facility."
In 2008, the Washington Nationals, owned by the Lerner Family, who was in attendance during the conference, moved from RFK Stadium to Nationals Park, which cost more than $600 million to construct. The All-Star game will celebrate the Park's 10th anniversary.
"Time has passed, but still it's a great day," Mark Lerner, who has been lobbying for an All-Star game since he and his family came into ownership back in 2006, said "I know that Washington will be one of the best host cities because nothing could be more fitting, exciting or appropriate than hosting the All Star game for the national pastime in the nation's capital."
The 2018 All-Star Game will be the District's fifth one. The four previous games took place in 1937, 1956, 1962 and 1969. There are only three remaining stadiums that have not hosted an All-Star game and they are home to the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies.
The 2018 game will also be the fourth game hosted by a National League city. The Cincinnati Reds are hosting this year and after the Reds, the San Diego Padres and the Miami Marlins will host in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
