Spring Training 2010
Selig: Cincinnati 'deserves' All-Star Game
By C. Trent Rosecrans, CNATI.com Posted March 6, 2010 6:45 PM ET
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - On his trip to the new Goodyear Ballpark, MLB commissioner Bud Selig said Cincinnati "deserves" an All-Star game and that they're "working" on getting one to the city.
Reds owner Bob Castellini hosted Selig on Saturday and had already peppered Selig with questions about the All-Star Game by the time Selig met with reporters in the top of the seventh inning of the Red's 4-2 loss to the Indians.
When he was asked about Cincinnati and an All-Star Game, he asked if Castellini had planted the questions with CNati.com to ask. Although he didn't, Castellini gave a wink when the question was asked.
"He actually broached the subject a couple of hours ago. It's under consideration, serious consideration," Selig said. "The thing that's interesting about All-Star Games, years ago, back in the 80s and even in the early 90s when I took over, you had to beg someone to take it. Now they're lined up. The competition is enormous. It is really intense. I get it from all sides. You just try to be as fair as you can. We've had a lot of teams that have new stadiums and the All-Star Game was a part of that. Cincinnati deserves one and we'll work on it."
The All-Star Game is currently on a rotation between National League and American League cities, with odd-numbered years being hosted in National League cities. The Mets' Citi Field has been rumored to host the 2013 All-Star Game and the owners of the Florida Marlins have said they would host the 2015 game at their new stadium.
That would mean the most likely years for the Reds to host the game would be 2017 or 2019. The 2019 game would coincide with the 150th anniversary of professional baseball, making it a natural fit for the birthplace of professional baseball, Cincinnati.
Selig was at last year's Civil Rights Game in Cincinnati that the team used a showcase for how it would handle a big event like the All-Star Game.
"It was an amazing experience, that was a proud day for me," Selig said. "It was a tremendous experience, the whole weekend. Everything about it was a great experience."
Selig was also impressed with the Reds' new complex in Goodyear.
"This is remarkable, this is absolutely amazing," Selig said. "Bob Castellini took me on a guided tour. It's a testament to all the people involved and baseball's great popularity. It's something I can't imagine with all the spring training venues I've lived through."
Categories: Cincinnati Reds, Featured Stories, Spring Training 2010
Tags: All-Star Game, Bob Castellini, Bud Selig, Great American Ball Park
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