MLB Parks Worthy of Hosting The MLB All-Star Game

1. Wrigley Field-Chicago Cubs

2014 will make it a century
that “The Friendly Confines” of Wrigley Field have seen baseball played
there. The Cubs are in the process of making a bid for The 2014 All-Star
Game, but Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is a proponent
on The National League and The American League alternating the home
venue. With The AL scheduled to host the game in 2014 it might be tough
to sway Selig’s mind. Wrigley has not hosted an All-Star Game since 1990
when The AL won 2-0 led by Texas Rangers infielder Julio Franco who was
the game’s MVP. I like many fans of baseball would love to see The Home
Run Derby in Chicago when the wind is blowing out at Wrigley. Fans in
Chitown would flock to Waveland and Sheffield Avenues in hopes of
catching a big fly.

2. Fenway Park-Boston Red Sox

2012 marks the 100-year
anniversary of Fenway Park. The park has become more modernized with
seats atop The Green Monster and even two World Series Championships in
the last decade. I know that The Sox hosted The Midsummer Classic in
1999 which was highlighted by Ted Williams greeting The All-Stars and
Rex Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez striking out five of the six NL batters
that he faced, but when a park is as historic as Fenway, it cannot go
for a lengthy period of time without hosting the game. The 1999 Home Run
Derby was highlighted by St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire
putting on a display as he almost hit some baseballs to Foxboro.

3. Camden Yards-Baltimore Orioles

Oriole Park at
Camden Yards opened in 1992 and was the blueprint for what ballparks
would look like during the stadium boom of the 90s and 2000s. The
Orioles last hosted The All-Star Game in 1993 which was highlighted by
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman John Kruk being afraid to take an
at-bat against Seattle Mariners hard throwing left-hander Randy Johnson.
The at-bat with Kruk was legendary as he bats left-handed, but he
decided to take swings against Johnson as a right-hander. With The
Orioles currently having a record above .500 this late in the season, a
buzz is once again growing around the franchise which could possibly
entice Selig to bring the game back to Maryland.
 
4. Dodger Stadium-Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger Stadium
which is located at Chavez Ravine has been the home of The Dodgers since
1962. Rapidly, Dodger Stadium has become one of the oldest ballparks in
Major League Baseball as the older parks have made way for more state
of the art facilities. Dodger Stadium has been kept in good condition
which allows it to remain one of the true beauties of baseball. I know
that Hollywood saw The MLB All-Star Game in 2010 when The Los Angeles
Angels hosted the event, but Los Angeles is too big off a market for The
MLB to have a delay in bringing the game back.

5. Citizens Bank Park-Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia’s
Veterans Stadium was a shining example of the old “cookie cutter”
mutli-purpose stadiums that had exhausted there usefulness. The Phillies
moved into Citizens Bank Park in 2004 and since 2007, The Phils have
made the playoffs in every season which was highlighted by a World
Series Title in 2008. The Phillies have also become one of baseball’s
biggest draws as they constantly have home sellouts. In 1996, The Vet
hosted The All-Star Game. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza won
the game’s MVP Award after The NL’s 6-0 win and in typical Philadelphia
fashion, the fans booed the native of Pennsylvania as if he had forgot
to put the onions on the cheese steaks. The player introductions at
Citizens Bank would be interesting for an All-Star Game, especially when
it comes to The New York Mets and The New York Yankees.

6. Rogers Centre-Toronto Blue Jays

The Rogers Centre
which was once called The SkyDome last hosted The All-Star Game in 1991
which was highlighted by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.
winning The Home Run Derby which included him hitting seven consecutive
homers. Being that The Blue Jays are the only Major League Baseball team
in Canada since The Montreal Expos became The Washington Nationals in
2005, it is time to give the good people in Canada another look at
baseball’s brightest stars.

7. Nationals Park-Washington Nationals

The
Expos/Nationals franchise hasn’t hosted The All-Star since 1982 when it
was held at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. With The NL scheduled to host
the game in 2015, The Nats are pushing to bring the game to D.C. With
Nationals Park opening in 2008 and the team starting to create a buzz
since they are first place in The NL East, it won’t be long before The
All-Star Game is on The Beltway.

8. Great American Ball Park-Cincinnati Reds

On the
banks of The Ohio River there is a park that is screaming to host an
All-Star Game. The Reds haven’t hosted The All-Star Game since 1988 when
the game was held at Riverfront Stadium. The Great American Ball Park
is the launching pad of The Midwest as home runs are constantly flying
out. ESPN’s Chris Berman would lose his voice during The Home Run Derby
in Cincy.

9. Target Field-Minnesota Twins

The Twins won’t stay
on this list as they are the favorites to host The 2014 MLB All-Star
Game. Since The Twins haven’t fielded a playoff team recently, at least
the new ball park in Minneapolis is a huge upgrade to The Metrodome. It
would be the first Midsummer Classic for Minneapolis since 1985 when The
NL won 6-1

10. Petco Park-San Diego Padres