Seattle Lands 2001 All-Star Game
Seattle's new Safeco Field, scheduled to open July 15, will be the site of the 2001 All-Star game, The Associated Press learned Friday.
Commissioner Bud Selig and AL president Gene Budig will make the announcement Monday in Seattle, a baseball official said, speaking on the condition he not be identified. The AL confirmed news conference had been scheduled but would not identify the subject.
The specific date for the All-Star game has not been set, but it most likely will be July 10, 2001.
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Detroit's Comerica Park, which opens in 2000, was considered the co-favorite along with Seattle. Baseball intends to use its new ballparks for All-Star games in the near future.
This year's All-Star game is scheduled for Boston's Fenway Park on July 13 and the 2000 game will at Atlanta's Turner Field. The American and National leagues alternates as the hosts.
Anaheim, Kansas City, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay also formally or informally expressed an interest in staging the 2001 game.
Seattle will be the All-Star site for the second time. The 50th All-Star game was held at the Kingdome in 1979, with the NL winning 7-6.
The Mariners will begin their 23rd season in the Kingdome, their home since they joined the AL in 1977, and will play 39 of their 81 home dates there before moving into their new $498 million ballpark, which has a retractable roof.
While the All-Star game will be in Seattle in 2001, it's not clear if Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez will be. Both are eligible for free agency after the 2000 season.
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