Citizens Bank Park Is Overdue To Host The MLB All-Star Game
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Citizens Bank Park is widely regarded as one of the nicer ballparks in Major League Baseball. That has been the case since the park first opened its doors in 2004. The park has had its share of important games including several World Series game, but it has yet to be chosen to host the All-Star Game. That distinction is overdue.
CBSSports' Matt Snyder took a look at the parks across Major League Baseball that are the most overdue to host the Midsummer Classic. One of those parks to make his list was Citizens Bank Park.
On Thursday, Major League Baseball announced that the 2016 MLB All-Star Game would be played at PetCo Park in San Diego. This season's game is set for Great American Ballpark, the home of the Reds.
Five venues in the majors have never hosted an All-Star game. Citizens Bank Park is one in addition to the new Yankee Stadium, Tropicana Field, Nationals Park and Marlins Park.
The Phillies also rank among the top ten teams when it comes to hosting droughts. The Phillies have the ninth longest drought having hosted last in 1996.
Philadelphia is widely regarded as one of the top sporting towns in America and the Phillies had a major run of significance from 2007-2011 and played in a park that was and still is fairly new.
The fact that the team and the park have not hosted an All-Star game seems to be quite an oversight to this point. With the next two sights decided, Citizens Bank Park will have to wait until 2017 for a chance to host the game.
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