Marlins Park to host 2017 All-Star Game

When Marlins Park was built, the question was when, not if, the ballpark would host an All-Star game. According to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the 2017 mid-summer classic will be held in Miami, with the Nationals expected to receive the bid in 2019.

Neither the Marlins nor Major League Baseball commented, however the Marlins likely embraced the news after not being selected to host the game in 2012. The organization was confident it would have the opportunity to host an All-Star game at some point in the near future after the ballpark was built, with Miami officials hoping to promote the ballpark by hosting the contest as soon the stadium was built.

While the Marlins are rightfully pleased with the opportunity to host the event, the club thought Sun Life Stadium would host the 2000 game. However, MLB took the game away from the Marlins after the notable deconstruction of the 1997 World Series team roster, with Atlanta serving as the host instead.

Marlins Park will be the third consecutive National League ballpark to host the game, with Cincinnati hosting this season and San Diego hosting in 2016. The Nationals also reportedly were hoping to serve as the hosts in 2017.

Former commissioner Bud Selig did not give the Marlins the chance to host an All-Star game, and Miami's 2017 date is notable because new commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN he would like to utilize a bidding system in order to determine who will host the game each season. Selig, though, made promises to teams who built new ballparks, according to Spencer, and as a result, the Marlins were rightfully next in line.

The Home Run Derby could be interesting considering the dimensions of Marlins Park, and the Futures Game also is played in the days leading up to the All-Star Game itself. Marlins Park has experience hosting large events, having hosted the World Baseball Classic in 2013.

Ultimately, the game should bring positive exposure to one of the newer parks in all of baseball. Marlins Park tends to be attractive to visitors, and provides a true baseball atmosphere. At a time where basketball and football are not making headlines, the contest should not only bring attention to the city and organization, but also to the way baseball is viewed within the South Florida community. Baseball executives have leaned away from having the Marlins host such an event because of their roster moves and financial situation, but Miami deserves the opportunity and now has something to look forward to.