Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is expected to announce in Kansas City today that the Royals will host the 2012 All-Star game. Although Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners there’s “nothing new” on Minneapolis being the site for a future All-Star game, it appears 2014 could be the year.
The All-Star game alternates between National and American League cities, so four years from now is the soonest the event could be at Target Field. Twins leaders and other local officials are interested in bringing the game here in 2014. Meet Minneapolis, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, has estimated that the All-Star game could mean more than $50 million in economic impact. https://www.ballparkauthority.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B5BA32D35-9BE8-46A4-8256-00B0E159EFFD%7D&DE=%7BE5BE858A-BC3B-4E2E-8FF0-5FF3F02BD93A%7D
Baseball’s owners will be in Minneapolis for quarterly meetings in August. Those who haven’t seen Target Field will have an insider’s look. Selig is already familiar with the new facility and is impressed.
The All-Star game hasn’t been played in Minneapolis since 1985 so that figures to be another factor in favor of the event coming here. Kansas City last hosted the game in 1973. The Royals play in Kauffman Stadium, a facility that recently had a $250 million renovation.
The All-Star game determines home field advantage in the World Series. St. Peter approves of the World Series incentive, implemented in 2003 after years of simply alternating American and National League cities. “I do like the change,” he said.
Target Field has been such a success that St. Peter predicted the franchise will set new records for home attendance ticket revenues and concession sales. He declined to provide specific figures. The Twins all-time home attendance high was established in 1988 when the club drew 3,030,672 fans.
The Twins have been leading the Central Division, although that margin is down to 2.5 games. The Twins have lost two of their last three games and are only 6-4 in their previous 10. With the halfway mark in the 162 games schedule nearing, the 37-27 Twins are hoping to have more of their best players on the field.
What’s St. Peter’s assessment of the club? “We feel good about our baseball team,” he said. “You never complain about being in first place. As we get healthier we think better times are ahead.”
Injuries or personal issues have sidelined a long list of Twins pitchers and position players. Both second baseman Orlando Hudson and starting shortstop J.J. Hardy remain on the disabled list.