Angels to Host 2010 All-Star Game
By Joe K
For the first time since 1989, Southern California will host baseball’s “Midsummer Classic.” On Wednesday, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have been selected as the host team for the 2010 All-Star Game during a news conference at Angel Stadium.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am pleased to announce that the 2010 All-Star Game will be hosted by the Angels and played in Anaheim,” Selig said during the press conference. “Under the leadership of owner Arte Moreno, the Angels are a model of success. I am confident that the Angels organization, the city of Anaheim and the great fans of Southern California will be outstanding hosts and make the 2010 Midsummer Classic a tremendous success.”
Moreno said that the Angels were proud to host the contest.
“I would like to thank commissioner Bud Selig for this honor and for the opportunity to showcase Angel Stadium and our community to baseball fans across the country,” Moreno said. “The 2010 game will coincide with the Angels celebrating our 50th season.”
Anaheim mayor Curt Pringle, who had been leading a lawsuit against the Angels for adding Los Angeles to the team’s official name, was also pleased with the announcement.
“The City of Anaheim is thrilled to host Major League Baseball’s Midsummer Classic in 2010,” Pringle added. “We have been very pleased to be able to work cooperatively with the Angels and Major League Baseball in bringing the All-Star Game to Orange County.”
This is not the first time that the Angels have hosted the All-Star Game. In 1989, the game was played at Angel Stadium (formerly known as Anaheim Stadium) and drew the fourth-largest crowd in All-Star Game history with 64,036 fans. With the attendance at an all-time high expect the “Midsummer Classic” to be a huge hit among all Southern California baseball fans.