The announcement has not been confirmed by the Reds or MLB.
It will be the first All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003, and the first in Cincinnati since 1988, when the American League beat the National League 2-1 at Riverfront Stadium.
But the All-Star Game and everything surrounding it – the Home Run Derby, the Futures Game, FanFest, the Parade of All-Stars, etc. – have grown into much bigger events in the 25 years since its last visit to Cincinnati.
Kansas City reported an economic gain of more than $60 million after holding the 2012 game at Kauffman Stadium, not to mention all the free advertising and publicity for the city.
Since 2008 when the New York Yankees hosted the game to coincide with the final season of old Yankee Stadium, MLB has awarded the Midsummer Classic to cities with new or recently refurbished stadiums. The 2013 game will be held at Citi Field in New York, which opened in 2009. And Minnesota’s Target Field, which opened in 2010, will be the site in 2014.
In addition to 1988, Cincinnati has played host to three other All-Star games, including the memorable 1970 contest at Riverfront Stadium that ended with Pete Rose slamming into Ray Fosse at home plate to lift the National League to a 5-4 victory in 12 innings.
The NL also was victorious in the 1953 game, winning 5-1 at Crosley Field in a contest that featured appearances by Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Stan Musial, who passed away Saturday at the age of 92. Reds first baseman Ted Kluszewski started at first base and hit cleanup, going 1-for-3, and Warren Spahn earned the victory with two innings of hitless relief.
The 1938 game also was held at Crosley Field, with the NL prevailing 4-1. Cincinnati catcher Ernie Lombardi and first baseman Frank McCormick combined for three hits with one RBI and one run scored, and the Reds’ Johnny Vander Meer was the starting pitcher, earning the win with three innings of one-hit ball.
About the Author