This is bullsh*t. SF awarded 2007 All-Star game

[Lefty]

SAN FRANCISCO -- Baseball's All-Star Game will return to San Francisco in 2007 for the first time in more than two decades, giving the Giants a big draw for season-ticket holders the year after Barry Bonds' contract expires.

Commissioner Bud Selig made the announcement Wednesday at Willie Mays Plaza outside the Giants' waterfront stadium. Mays, who played in a record-tying 24 All-Star Games, said he was glad the city would get the opportunity to showcase SBC Park.

"I wish I had a chance to play here," he said. "I think I would have hit a little bit more home runs than Barry."

Bonds, who passed his godfather on the career home run list last season and has 703 overall, is under contract through 2006. Tickets for the All-Star Game could be an incentive to help the team keep its season-ticket base of about 28,000 fans for 2007.

"When we built the ballpark, a principle goal was to attract the All-Star Game back to San Francisco," Giants owner Peter Magowan said. "All-Star weekend and the game have proven to be baseball's showcase event."

The club has topped 3 million in attendance all five seasons since the ballpark opened -- thanks in large part to Bonds' popularity.

This will be the city's first time staging baseball's midsummer classic since it was at Candlestick Park in 1984 and the third time overall.

This will be the first time in more than 40 years that the All-Star Game won't alternate between the American and National Leagues. Detroit hosts this summer's game, then Pittsburgh has the 2006 event -- meaning the NL will host two straight games.

"Every year it gets more difficult to pick. But 2007 was easy," Selig said. "This great city deserves this game. It's the thing to do."

Mayor Gavin Newsom, who also attended the news conference, said he thought the game could have a financial impact of more than $80 million on the city.

 

[AZZenny]

I actually had a dream about cornering that little pissant Bug Sellout in ST and blowing his freaking ears back.

I hope Bonds' whole steroid thing blows up in mlb's face and they have fun in 2007.

You know, B.S. lives in Phoenix part time - damn snowbird, prolly - how come no one ever spots him at WalMart or Taco Bell and gives him a thorough chewing out?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Better ballpark + anger over DBack American Express spending policy + Moorad involvement with the team = No All Star game

 

[UncleChris]

I actually had a dream about cornering that little pissant Bug Sellout in ST and blowing his freaking ears back.

I hope Bonds' whole steroid thing blows up in mlb's face and they have fun in 2007.

You know, B.S. lives in Phoenix part time - damn snowbird, prolly - how come no one ever spots him at WalMart or Taco Bell and gives him a thorough chewing out?

I catch him, he's dead meat.....

 

[moviegeekjn]

No surprise.... If I remember correctly, JC had previously stated that 2008 was the earliest target date for Az to try for the All Star game.... on the basis of readying downtown Phoenix--renovation of Civic Center, more hotel space, light rail system, etc.

There had been earlier indications that SF would be getting the game in the near future to showcase their new park that had also been overlooked with BS's policy of dangling All Star venues as a carrot for cities to build new parks... St. Louis has also been offered the same when voters were faced recently with stadium issue (so don't be surprised when St. Louis is granted All Star game before Phoenix gets it)

MLB has also recently changed its rules so the All Star game no longer has to alternate years, so..... a "chance" for Phoenix to host in 2008 (but don't count on it). Had Az. wavered more on building a stadium, we might have received the All Star venue.... but then we would not have been granted a team for the last expansion.