MIAMI -- Baseball -- one of the world's most global sports and America's past time -- is finally bringing its landmark event to one of the most diverse cities in the United States.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred officially announced the Miami Marlins' Marlins Park as the venue for the 2017 All-Star Game on Friday afternoon.
Come July 11, 2017, the Miami Marlins will host their first Midsummer Classic in franchise history, which will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the organization.
Bringing the All-Star Game to Florida for the first time, especially to an organization that once held the honor for the 2000 game but had it taken away, signifies a new chapter.
"The All-Star Game will be an incredible international showcase for Marlins Park and all of South Florida," Manfred said. "I also believe that this event will be an excellent way for us to emphasize the global nature of our game. We understand that Miami is the gateway to Latin America. We also understand that Miami is the city that knows how to celebrate, and we're going to be here to celebrate our global reach."
President David Samson called Miami the "epicenter of the globalization of the game." He pointed to the growth of South Florida by naming the Perez Art Museum and Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science among other cultural buildings.
Miami-Dade mayor Carlos Gimenez reminded everyone that Miami is no stranger to hosting global events like Ultra Music Festival and Art Basel. The "undisputed" gateway to the Americas is also a big-ticket destination. The All-Star Game added to the list becomes another milestone in its history.
According to Gimenez, the county's 2.6 million residents hail from 156 countries and speak 64 languages. More than 60 percent are foreign born.
"This event will greatly benefit our local economy and enhance Miami-Dade County's brand throughout the nation and the world," Gimenez said. "... It has turned us into a place of innovation and creativity. You could not have chosen a better place to host this event."
More than 230 countries tune in to watch the All-Star Game each year. But it won't all take place on that Tuesday night in July.
The festivities last a week, including a fan fest that will be held at a newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. There will be an All-Star concert, 5K run, legends and celebrity softball game, red carpet parade and Home Run Derby.
Manfred, on the job 20 days, makes Marlins Park the third straight National League facility to host the Midsummer Classic. In the end, Miami's bid proved to be influential.
"I think that the Marlins' bid was compelling across the board," Manfred said. "The facility is absolutely fantastic. They delivered a great convention site for our fan fest. Frankly, it was time for baseball to recognize and pay back South Florida for what they did in building this stadium."
Though word had leaked earlier in the week about what the announcement would be about, the VIP event arrived with an impressive lineup and turnout in the left-field concourse overlooking downtown Miami.
In attendance were former Marlins Charles Johnson, Gary Sheffield, Mike Lowell, Luis Castillo, Alex Gonzalez, Jeff Conine and Cliff Floyd. World Series manager Jack McKeon joined them. All-Stars Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez represented the current club. Marlins Man, donning his infamous orange jersey, watched.
Julia Dale, who sang the National Anthem at the 2009 groundbreaking of the ballpark, performed once again. Nearby Miami Senior High School brought its color guard.
The entire Marlins organization looked on as Manfred, Samson, owner Jeffrey Loria, Florida governor Rick Scott, Miami mayor Tomas Regalado, Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine and Gimenez each took turns detailing the impact of the news.
Scott joked that "I hope we have (the All-Star Game) every year now." Levine got the biggest cheer when he said the Marlins would win the 2015 World Series.
"Today's announcement is a landmark moment for our ballclub and one that comes on the heels of many exciting moves we've made this offseason," Loria said. "The future is bright for Miami and its baseball fans."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
