The Atlanta Braves may host an All-Star Game in the coming years, as Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred recently confirmed that SunTrust Park is in the running for the 2021 game.
Opening in suburban Cobb County in 2017, SunTrust Park was constructed as part of a larger project that includes The Battery Atlanta, an adjacent mixed-use development. The ballpark has received plenty of acclaim over its two seasons of use–including our 2017 Ballpark of the Year Award–and has stood out as a potential All-Star Game site.
The Braves unsuccessfully bid for the 2020 All-Star Game, which will be played at Dodger Stadium, but appear to have a shot at landing the 2021 edition. In comments last week, Manfred noted that MLB is receiving plenty of interest and emphasized that a decision is not expected until early in 2019. He did, however, remark on SunTrust Park’s success and indicated that it is in the running for the 2021 Midsummer Classic. More from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
In response to questions from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the close of the baseball owners’ two-day meeting at the Omni Hotel overlooking the Braves’ stadium, Manfred said MLB is “fortunate right now to have really high demand for All-Star games.” But he went on to extensively praise SunTrust Park and the surrounding mixed-use development.
“I think SunTrust Park has literally revolutionized the process of stadium development,” Manfred said. “They really did get it right here.”
Manfred said baseball is “going to have a very competitive list” of cities seeking the 2021 All-Star game. He added that “it would be fair to say” SunTrust Park is on that list, “certainly a candidate for 2021.”
“We’re far enough along in that process that by early in 2019 we ought to be able to make a decision,” he said.
SunTrust Park is a worthy candidate for the All-Star Game, though the Chicago Cubs have been eyeing a future All-Star Game as a showcase to their renovations of Wrigley Field. Regardless, which ever team does not land the 2021 game figures to a solid contender in an intriguing field of options for All-Star Games in 2022 and beyond.
Two previous MLB All-Star Games have been played in Atlanta. That includes the 1972 game at Atlanta Stadium (later Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium) and the 2000 edition at Turner Field.
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